South Sudan Country Report
South Sudan is a landlocked country in Middle East Africa and since its independence from Sudan in 2011, it is the youngest country in the world. However, the optimism about the country’s development prospects thanks to oil resources did not last long and plunged the country into a quagmire. The civil war that began in 2013 exposed deep-rooted ethnic and tribal frictions. Accusations of ethnic cleansing have been leveled against several groups, including those loyal to President Salva Kiir. More than four million people, about a third of the population, have been displaced as a result of the violence, which has worsened the country’s economic woes.
Regional leaders have made extensive diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, but results have often been undermined by violent internal conflicts between the two sides, including personal rivalries. A temporary ceasefire has remained largely in place since it was signed in December 2017, but both the government and the opposition have struggled to implement the subsequent peace deal. A transitional unity government was finally inaugurated in February 2020, but many aspects of the new government’s peace and stability agreement remain in question.
Violent crime has increased in both rural and urban centers, and armed robbery has become commonplace with the breakdown of law and order. Corruption is common and affects all levels of society. South Sudan’s limited infrastructure has been further damaged by the civil war, and land and air travel across the country poses significant risks.
Last updated: April 12, 2022
Security
The civil war in South Sudan continues, and various ceasefire and mediation efforts have had little success in curbing the violence. The government signed a peace deal in late 2018 in an effort to end the conflict with internal rebel groups, and a ceasefire is in place in most of the country’s major urban centers. However, despite the establishment of a national unity government in February 2020 and a power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and the main opposition leader (current first vice president) Lech Machar, the internal security situation remains unstable. and electing a governor Tensions between the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) parties have led to leadership tensions, with disagreements emerging after President Kiir formed a new parliament in line with the 2018 peace accord. In addition to ongoing security challenges, the peace agreement lacks mechanisms for policymaking, governance, and dispute resolution.
The terrorist threat environment in South Sudan is primarily due to the use of terrorist tactics by non-state armed groups engaged in civil war. The country experiences high levels of violent and petty crime, characterized by armed robberies, car thefts and residential burglaries, which can occur at any time across the country. The number of protests in South Sudan has decreased as the conflict continues, but there have been sporadic protests over the presence and activities of UN peacekeepers and the disruption of humanitarian aid in internally displaced persons (IPD) camps.
Last updated: May 13, 2022
Infrastructure
South Sudan’s aviation sector has major safety concerns and regulatory oversight does not meet international standards.
There are significant safety concerns for domestic land travel related to ongoing conflicts, crime, underdeveloped road networks and poor driving standards.
The port of Sudan is inefficient.
South Sudan’s electrification rate is very low even by regional standards, and decades of conflict have limited investment in the country’s infrastructure. Internet access is limited due to fragmented infrastructure, and planned expansion and further investment has been hampered by the ongoing civil war.
Cybercrime is not a serious concern due to the limited access to the internet among the population.
Last updated: December 29, 2022
Environment
South Sudan experiences regular and often devastating floods during the rainy season from April to October, as well as occasional droughts, which severely affect communities that rely heavily on agricultural and pastoral activities. This possibility exists. The country is also located in a region of high seismic activity, with low to moderate earthquakes occurring sporadically, but usually without damage or loss of life.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance pose a significant risk in almost all of South Sudan due to decades of conflict. There are also concerns in some parts of the country about the high pollution of oil extraction sites, the poor state of the oil infrastructure inherited from Sudan at the time of independence, and the lack of proper investment and supervision during the civil war, which led to widespread environmental destruction. . and pollution of water sources
Last updated: July 7, 2023
Health and Medical
Travelers to South Sudan are at risk of many vector-borne and water-borne diseases, particularly malaria, dengue fever, cholera and meningitis. The level of medical care in Juba is very basic and almost non-existent outside the capital. The availability of medicines is also very limited and most medicines are not available outside of Juba. Tap water is not suitable for drinking.
Last updated: February 28, 2022
Political
South Sudan is plagued by instability caused by civil war and deep political and ethnic tensions and conflicts. The conflict is often linked to personal conflicts between key politicians, particularly President Salva Kiir and Vice President Leik Machar, with both sides refusing to make concessions to their opponents. Therefore, negotiations have become very difficult. A peace deal signed in August 2015 collapsed after less than a year amid renewed fighting in Juba, forcing Machar to flee the country. Regional and international mediation efforts have continued throughout the often tense conflict.
In September 2018, the government signed a peace deal with internal rebels and established a unity government in February 2020. However, several highly controversial issues remain unresolved and the implementation of the latest peace agreement remains in limbo. In addition, tensions between the opposition parties of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Opposition (SPLM-IO) after the formation of a new parliament by President Kiir in accordance with the 2018 peace agreement have led to differences that undermine public trust. In addition to ongoing security challenges, the peace agreement lacks mechanisms for policymaking, governance, and dispute resolution.
Corruption is rampant in the country and affects all levels of government and economic sectors. The rule of law is weak, the large judicial system is prone to political interference, and there is a culture of impunity in the military.
The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions on individuals and entities in South Sudan, including travel bans and asset freezes, and are threatening to impose more targeted sanctions until a lasting peace agreement is reached. In July 2018, the United States supported a UN Security Council resolution that imposed an arms embargo on the country.
Last updated: April 14, 2022
