South Sudanese Civil War

South Sudanese Civil War
Ali Zifan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Conflict	South Sudanese Civil War
Date	2013–2020
Place	South Sudan
Combatant1	Sudan People's Liberation Movement
Combatant2	Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition

South Sudanese Civil War was a conflict that began in South Sudan in 2013, involving the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Riek Machar. The war was sparked by a coup d'état attempt by Riek Machar against Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of South Sudan, and involved various other groups, including the National Democratic Movement and the South Sudan Liberation Movement. The conflict drew in regional powers, such as Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and was influenced by international organizations, including the United Nations and the African Union.

Background

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) had fought a long Second Sudanese Civil War against the Government of Sudan, led by Omar al-Bashir, from 1983 to 2005, resulting in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the eventual independence of South Sudan in 2011. However, the new country faced significant challenges, including disputes over oil resources, which were a major point of contention between South Sudan and Sudan, and led to the Heglig crisis in 2012. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by Salva Kiir Mayardit, was the dominant party in South Sudan, but faced opposition from other groups, including the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by Riek Machar, and the National Democratic Movement, led by Lam Akol.

Causes of the War

The immediate cause of the war was a coup d'état attempt by Riek Machar against Salva Kiir Mayardit in December 2013, which was sparked by a dispute over the leadership of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). However, the underlying causes of the conflict were more complex, involving issues such as ethnic tensions between the Dinka people and the Nuer people, and competition for resources, including oil and land. The conflict was also influenced by regional and international factors, including the involvement of Uganda, which provided military support to the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), and the United Nations, which deployed a peacekeeping mission, UNMISS, to South Sudan. Other key players, such as China, which had significant oil interests in South Sudan, and the European Union, which provided humanitarian aid, also played a role in the conflict.

Course of the War

The war began in December 2013, when Riek Machar's forces, including the Nuer White Army, clashed with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The conflict quickly spread to other parts of the country, including Bor, Bentiu, and Malakal, and involved various other groups, including the National Democratic Movement and the South Sudan Liberation Movement. The war was marked by significant human rights abuses, including massacres, rape, and forced displacement, and had a major impact on the economy and infrastructure of South Sudan. Key events, such as the Battle of Bor and the Siege of Malakal, were significant turning points in the conflict, and involved the participation of various regional and international actors, including Uganda, Ethiopia, and the United Nations.

Humanitarian Crisis

The war had a devastating impact on the population of South Sudan, with millions of people displaced and thousands killed. The conflict also had significant humanitarian consequences, including famine, disease, and malnutrition, particularly in Unity State and Upper Nile State. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, played a crucial role in responding to the crisis, but faced significant challenges, including security risks and logistical difficulties. The European Union, the United States, and other international donors provided significant humanitarian aid to South Sudan, but the crisis continued to worsen, with the Food and Agriculture Organization warning of a potential famine in 2017.

Peace Process

The peace process in South Sudan was complex and involved various regional and international actors, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, and the United Nations. The Addis Ababa Agreement was signed in 2015, but was not fully implemented, and the conflict continued. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan was signed in 2018, and provided for a transitional government and a permanent ceasefire. However, the implementation of the agreement was slow, and the conflict continued, with Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar struggling to form a unified government. The United States, the European Union, and other international actors played a significant role in supporting the peace process, but the situation remained fragile, with the United Nations Security Council warning of a potential return to violence in 2020.

Aftermath

The war in South Sudan had a significant impact on the country and the region, with millions of people displaced and thousands killed. The conflict also had significant economic and humanitarian consequences, including poverty, unemployment, and malnutrition. The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) continued to dominate the political landscape of South Sudan, but faced challenges from other groups, including the National Democratic Movement and the South Sudan Liberation Movement. The international community, including the United Nations, the African Union, and the European Union, continued to play a significant role in supporting the peace process and providing humanitarian aid to South Sudan. Key figures, such as Salva Kiir Mayardit, Riek Machar, and Lam Akol, remained influential in the politics of South Sudan, and the country continued to face significant challenges, including security risks, economic instability, and humanitarian needs. Category:Conflicts in 2013