Story perspectives

South Sudan Faces Civil War Threat Amid Renewed Clashes

1/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

South Sudan's government urged opposition forces to stop fighting on January 27, citing concerns that clashes in Jonglei state could trigger a civil war.
The United Nations reported that the scale of these clashes, involving government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), is unprecedented since 2017.
The government claimed to have repelled rebel advances, while UNMISS indicated that at least 180,000 people have been displaced.
The previous civil war from 2013 to 2018 resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and was primarily ethnic.
Vice President Riek Machar is currently on trial for treason related to violence from the previous year.

History

Historical Context

The South Sudan Civil War, ignited by a power struggle between President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar in December 2013, resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and displaced over 4 million people. Despite a peace agreement in 2018, ethnic violence persists, exemplified by recent clashes involving the SPLA-IO and government forces, highlighting ongoing instability in the region.

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Story summary

South Sudan's government urged opposition forces to stop fighting on January 27, citing concerns that clashes in Jonglei state could trigger a civil war.
The United Nations reported that the scale of these clashes, involving government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), is unprecedented since 2017.
The government claimed to have repelled rebel advances, while UNMISS indicated that at least 180,000 people have been displaced.
The previous civil war from 2013 to 2018 resulted in approximately 400,000 deaths and was primarily ethnic.
Vice President Riek Machar is currently on trial for treason related to violence from the previous year.

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