South Sudan Country Report

South Sudan is a landlocked nation in east-central Africa and the world's youngest country, following its independence from Sudan in 2011. However, optimism over the country's development prospects as a result of its oil wealth has been short-lived, with the country mired in an internal conflict since 2013 that has brought to the fore deep-rooted ethnic and tribal frictions. Accusations of ethnic cleansing have been leveled against several groups, including forces loyal to President Salva Kiir. More than four million people, around a third of the population, have been displaced as a result of the violence, which has also compounded the country’s economic woes.

Regional leaders have engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict but these have often been undermined by bitter disputes between both sides in the country, including personal rivalries. A tentative ceasefire has largely been held since it was signed in December 2017 but both the government and opposition have struggled to implement the subsequent peace agreement. A unity transitional government was finally formed in February 2020, but questions remain over many aspects of the peace agreement and the stability of the new administration.

Amid the breakdown in law and order, violent crime has surged in both rural areas and urban centers with armed banditry becoming common. Corruption is endemic and affects all levels of society. South Sudan’s already limited infrastructure has further deteriorated due to the civil war and there are significant risks associated with overland and air travel in the country.

South Sudan continues to be wracked by civil war, with various ceasefires and mediation attempts having had little success in curbing the violence. The government entered into a peace agreement with the country's rebel groups in the second half of 2018 with a view to ending the conflict and an associated ceasefire has largely held in the country's main urban centers. However, the security situation in the country remains volatile despite the formation of a unity government in February 2020 and the finalization of power-sharing agreement between the President, Salva Kiir and the main opposition leader (now first vice-president), Reik Machar, and the selection of state governors. Inter-party tension within the opposition, Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO), damage the credibility of the leaders as the split came following President Kiir formed new members of parliament in line with the 2018 peace deal. Alongside the ongoing security challenges, the peace deal lacks mechanisms for policy formulation, governance, and dispute settlements.

The terrorism threat environment in South Sudan primarily stems from the use of terrorist-style tactics by non-state armed groups fighting in the civil war. The country experiences high levels of both violent and petty crime, characterized by armed robberies, carjackings and residential burglaries that can occur at any time and across the country. Protests in South Sudan have declined in frequency amid the ongoing conflict, although demonstrations over the presence and activities of UN peacekeepers occur sporadically and unrest has occasionally broken out over the provision of humanitarian support at internally displaced persons (IPD) camps.

There are major safety concerns regarding South Sudan’s aviation sector, with regulatory oversight failing to meet international standards.

There are significant safety concerns regarding overland travel in the country, linked to the ongoing conflict, crime, an underdeveloped road network and poor driving standards.

Port Sudan is inefficient.

South Sudan has an extremely low electrification rate, even by regional standards, and decades of conflict have limited investment in the country’s infrastructure. Internet access is limited due to sparse infrastructure and planned expansion and further investment have been hindered by the ongoing civil war.

Cybercrime is not a serious concern given the limited Internet access among the population.

South Sudan experiences periodic and often devastating flooding during the rainy season that runs April-October, as well as occasional droughts that can have a major impact on communities heavily dependent on agrarian and pastoralist activities. The country is also located in a seismically active region and experiences sporadic low-to-moderate intensity earthquakes, although these generally do not cause significant damage or casualties.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance pose a considerable risk in virtually all South Sudanese states due to decades of conflict. There have also been concerns over high levels of pollution from oil mining sites in some areas of the country, with the poor state of oil infrastructure inherited from Sudan at independence and a lack of proper investment and oversight during the civil war leading to extensive environmental damage and the contamination of water sources.

Travelers to South Sudan are at risk from a number of vector- and water-borne diseases, particularly malaria, dengue fever, cholera, and meningitis. Levels of medical care are very basic in Juba and all but non-existent outside of the capital. The availability of pharmaceuticals is also severely limited with most drugs being unavailable outside of Juba. Tap water is not suitable for consumption.

South Sudan is beset with instability stemming from the civil war and deep-rooted political as well as ethnic tensions and rivalries. The conflict has often been linked to personal rivalries between key political figures, particularly President Salva Kiir and vice-president Reik Machar, making negotiations extremely difficult as both sides have refused to make concessions to their opponents. The peace settlement signed in August 2015 collapsed less than a year later amid renewed fighting in Juba which forced Machar to flee the country. Regional and international mediation efforts have been ongoing throughout the conflict but have often been strained.

In September 2018, the government signed a peace agreement with the country's rebel groups and formed a unity government in February 2020. However, there remain doubts over the implementation of the latest peace deal, with multiple highly contentious issues yet to be settled. Additionally, inter-party tension within the opposition, Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO), damage the credibility of the leaders as the split came following President Kiir formed new members of parliament in line with the 2018 peace deal. Alongside the ongoing security challenges, the peace deal lacks mechanisms for policy formulation, governance, and dispute settlements.

Corruption is endemic in the country and affects all levels of government and sectors of the economy. Rule of law is also weak, with an overstretched judiciary prone to political interference and a culture of impunity within the military.

The US and EU have enforced sanctions against individuals and entities in South Sudan, including travel bans and asset freezes, and have threatened further targeted sanctions unless a permanent peace deal is reached. In July 2018, the US sponsored a UN Security Council resolution which imposed an arms embargo on the country.