The International Crisis Group posted on 29 September 2025 an analysis titled "South Sudan's President Jettisons Unity Government and Hardens Grip on Power" by Daniel Akech.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government in advance of long-delayed elections now scheduled for December. Because of instability in South Sudan, the decision further concentrates power in the hands of Kiir and his family.
The BBC posted on 23 September 2026 an article titled "South Sudan's President Dissolves Government Ahead of Country's First Elections" by Nichola Mandil, Akisa Wandera, and Allan Olingo.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir dissolved the transitional government three months before the country's first election since its independence in 2011. Kiir removed the country's five vice presidents and dissolved parliament, national, and state governments. Kiir has no viable opposition in the December election.
New Lines Magazine published on 24 August 2026 an article titled "Living on the Edge of South Sudan's Toxic Floodplains" by Buster Emil Kirchner and Marco Simoncelli.
Defunct oil installations in South Sudan's Unity State are creating a toxic brew after recurring floods. Contaminated drinking water poses a health hazard for thousands of families and their livestock. Past oil extraction practices failed to take into account this environmental disaster.
The Stimson Center published on 24 June 2026 a report titled "The UN Mission in South Sudan in the Context of Changing Security and Regional Dynamics."
The report concludes that the combined effects of a fragile peace process, heightened political tensions, economic deterioration, the spillover of conflict from Sudan, the emerging Ebola crisis in the neighboring DRC, and growing humanitarian pressures have created a volatile environment in South Sudan.
South Sudan continues to grapple with unresolved questions surrounding the political transition and the lack of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which remains the primary political framework for addressing the conflict and advancing sustainable peace.
The Council on Foreign Relations Global Conflict Tracker posted on 12 June 2026 an updated background piece titled "Instability in South Sudan."
Ten million South Sudanese--nearly 84 percent of the population--need humanitarian assistance, as reports of airstrikes on civilian areas, sexual violence, and forced recruitment have escalated since March 2025.
Foreign Affairs published on 8 April 2026 an article titled "Don't Partition Sudan Again: Splitting It Didn't Work in the Past and Won't Work Now" by Francis M. Deng and Ahmed Kodouda.
Both the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) insist they are fighting to preserve a unified Sudan, but the longer the current geographical division persists, the harder it will be to put the country together again.
The 2011 independence of South Sudan offers a cautionary tale. Any effort to formalize the split between the SAF and RSF-controlled parts of Sudan would not resolve the conflict's root causes. Another partition of Sudan would also destabilize its neighbors.
The Associated Press published on 10 March 2026 an article titled "UN Peacekeepers Defy South Sudan Military's Order to Leave Opposition-held Town" by Florence Miettaux and Deng Machol.
The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan refused to comply with an order from the South Sudan government to shut down its base in Akobo, an opposition stronghold near the Ethiopian border where thousands of refugees have fled. South Sudan government forces intend to attack the town.
The Guardian published on 3 March 2026 an article titled "South Sudan Risks Return to Full-blown Civil War as Violence Escalates" by Carlos Mureithi.
Militia forces allied with suspended Vice President Riek Machar have increased their attacks on forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, threatening a return to full-blown civil war.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 12 February 2026 an article titled "South Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) and the Nuer White Army militia launched a new offensive in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states in South Sudan. Forces from the government of South Sudan responded with a counteroffensive. Competing Sudan Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan may try to exploit the situation in South Sudan for advantage in their own civil war.
The International Crisis Group posted on 21 January 2026 a commentary titled "Rebel Offensive Sounds Onset of War in South Sudan" by Daniel Akech.
Fighting has broken out between the Dinka forces of President Salva Kiir and the Nuer followers of Vice President Riek Machar. The current situation is stoking ethnic grievances and will likely draw in South Sudan's neighbors in Uganda and factions fighting in Sudan.
The International Crisis Group published on 27 November 2025 an analysis titled "A Trial for South Sudan's Frail Peace" by Daniel Akech.
The trial of South Sudan's First Vice President Riek Machar poses a serious threat to the country's stability. Machar is charged with criminal offenses including treason, murder, and crimes against humanity.
The UN Political and Peace Building Affairs Department posted on 5 November 2025 the remarks by special envoy of the Secretary General for the Horn of Africa Guang Cong to the UN Security Council on Sudan and South Sudan.
The civil war in Sudan is exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the disputed region of Abyei along the Sudan-South Sudan border and has interrupted negotiations for a settlement. There are recent indications that both Sudan and South Sudan are willing to revive the African Union-led political process regarding Abyei's future.
The International Crisis Group posted on 30 October 2025 a 33-minute podcast titled "The Trial of South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar" with Alan Boswell and Edmund Yakani.
The podcast unpacks the charges against Vice President Riek Machar over his alleged role in a March 2025 attack on an army base in Nasir. It also discusses if there remains a viable path to avoid civil war in the country.
The International Crisis Group reposted on 5 September 2025 a commentary titled "South Sudan's Day of Reckoning Is Nigh" by Daniel Akech.
President Salva Kiir has taken steps to consolidate his power, including setting up Benjamin Bol Mel as his eventual successor. The result is growing political instability. The author called on the leaders of key African governments to urge restraint and push for a broad political forum to discuss the future of South Sudan.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) published on 1 September 2025 an analysis titled "Succession Fever Deepens South Sudan's Malaise."
As the health of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir declines, there is growing disquiet in the country over Kiir's effort to have inexperienced Benjamin Bol Mel succeed him. The ICG argues there needs to be a forum where key South Sudanese elites can discuss the political future, including the question of who will replace Kiir.
The International Crisis Group posted on 18 August 2025 remarks titled "Briefing to UN Security Council on the Situation in South Sudan" by Murithi Mutiga.
The 2018 peace accord, which ended a civil war in South Sudan, appears to be collapsing and the ongoing civil war in neighboring Sudan is extending instability by driving over 1.2 million people into South Sudan.
World Politics Review published on 20 June 2025 an analysis titled "South Sudan's Latest Crisis Is Following a Familiar Script" by Lesley Anne Warner.
The fragile peace established in South Sudan in 2018 may be unraveling. South Sudan is returning to form: erosion of power sharing, military fragmentation, and an apparent succession crisis.
The International Crisis Group posted on 9 June 2025 a half hour podcast titled "As South Sudan Quakes, an Heir Apparent Rises" with Alan Boswell and Daniel Akech.
The podcast discusses the political decline of President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar and the rise of wealthy Dinka businessman, Benjamin Bol Mel, who is closely linked to Salva Kiir. Although much younger than Salva Kiir, Benjamin Bol Mel is not seen as a person who would significantly change the corrupt system in South Sudan.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 6 May 2025 a commentary titled "UN Readies for Critical Vote on South Sudan's Arms Embargo" by Maya Ungar.
The UN Security Council will vote in late May on whether to renew the arms embargo on South Sudan for 12 months. Even as the internal security situation deteriorates, the South Sudan government opposes the embargo. The ICG argues that removing the arms embargo now could stoke escalating violence in South Sudan.
AEI's Critical Threats Africa File published on 20 March 2025 an article titled "RSF Attacks Spread to South Sudan" by Kathryn Tyson and John Reece.
There are indications that the civil war in Sudan is spilling over into South Sudan with the Rapid Support Forces supporting Salva Kiir's government and the Sudan Armed Forces backing South Sudan rebels.
