The South Sudanese government has delayed elections to 2026, deepening divisions and escalating violence amid ongoing violations of the 2018 peace agreement. Politicians prioritize personal power and wealth over national unity, leading to increased armed conflict and economic decline. As armed groups fragment, achieving lasting peace becomes increasingly challenging, highlighting the need for urgent governance reform and resource management.
In September 2024, the government of South Sudan announced a postponement of elections until 2026, exacerbating the country’s already fragile situation. This decision, combined with other transgressions of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), highlights the ongoing divisions and persistent violence within the nation. Following the brutal civil war from 2013 to 2018, various factions, including politicians and military leaders, have shown little interest in fostering a unified national identity, choosing instead to consolidate power and pursue personal gains, even as resources dwindle.
The central government in Juba has systematically deprived national institutions of funding, while both state and rebel personnel remain wary of committing to a unified military structure. Moreover, officials exploit their authority for personal enrichment, cultivating extensive patronage networks. Political leaders continue to deprave South Sudan’s principal economic entity, the state-owned Nilepet oil company, redirecting the nation’s wealth towards personal conflicts and furthering their own interests, leaving the country in dire economic straits.
Throughout South Sudan, the landscape of violence has diversified, with armed groups splintering into numerous factions. Between 1 January 2013 and the signing of the R-ARCSS, conflicts occurred in 718 distinct areas. This number dramatically increased to 1,720 incidents between 13 September 2018 and 17 January 2025, illustrating the complexities of the social and territorial disputes undermining peace efforts. The local-level struggles over borders, resources, and power render any comprehensive peace process exceedingly challenging at best.
The ongoing crisis in South Sudan is rooted in a civil war that lasted from 2013 to 2018, leading to deep social and political divisions. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement aimed to stabilize the region and establish unified governmental structures. However, continued violations of this agreement, along with a failure to integrate military forces and sustain national institutions financially, have left the country in disarray. With widespread violence becoming increasingly common and the economy deteriorating, the prospects for a resolution appear bleak.
The situation in South Sudan remains precarious as violence continues to escalate, particularly within the Greater Upper Nile region. The postponement of elections until 2026 and persistent breaches of the R-ARCSS deeply undermine stability efforts. The entrenchment of political corruption and the fracturing of armed groups contribute to an environment where a cohesive peace process is increasingly difficult to achieve. Without significant changes in governance and resource management, the cycle of violence is likely to persist.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
