Deteriorating Security and Humanitarian Conditions in South Sudan

Strategic Insights -

The Security Council was briefed by Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee, on the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in South Sudan. Since March, previous gains in the peace process have been largely eroded due to military offensives involving rival militia and government troops. The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement between the two has been undermined, with President Salva Kiir placing his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, under house arrest. Humanitarian crisis has resulted in deaths, displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, exacerbated by the displacement of 1.2 million refugees from neighbouring Sudan.

Key Takeaways:

  • Since March, previous gains in the peace process in South Sudan have been largely eroded due to military offensives involving rival militia and government troops.
  • The 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement between the two parties has been undermined, with President Salva Kiir placing his rival, First Vice President Riek Machar, under house arrest on 26 March.
  • Recent military offensives have resulted in deaths, displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
  • 1.2 million refugees have been displaced from neighbouring Sudan, straining already-limited resources.
  • The conflict in Sudan has disrupted oil flows to the military Government-controlled Port Sudan and the broader market, causing South Sudan to lose most of its valuable oil revenues.
  • 9.3 million people are in need of dire assistance, and 7.7 million are suffering food insecurity, including 83,000 at risk of catastrophic conditions.
  • Brutal sexual violence is on the rise, and funding cuts have left millions without lifesaving assistance.
  • The Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 28.5 per cent funded halfway through 2025.
  • Challenges to humanitarian access are growing with increased instances of aid workers being attacked and poor infrastructure and administrative obstacles impeding relief efforts.
  • Declarations of commitment to holding elections by December 2026 are not enough, and concrete steps must be taken to return to dialogue.
  • The Security Council must call on all actors and stakeholders to uphold the peace agreement to avoid a relapse into violence and regional instability.

Statistics:

  • 1.2 million refugees displaced from neighbouring Sudan.
  • 9.3 million people in need of dire assistance.
  • 7.7 million suffering food insecurity, including 83,000 at risk of catastrophic conditions.
  • 28.5 per cent funding of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan halfway through 2025.
  • Oil revenues lost due to the disruption of oil flows from neighbouring Sudan.
  • 26 March: Date when President Salva Kiir placed First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest.

Sources:

  • United Nations News Service (2025)
  • AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)