South Sudan, 15 years on: Still fighting for peace
Juba, South Sudan – As South Sudan marks 15 years of independence on July 9, hopes that accompanied the birth of the world’s youngest country
Juba, South Sudan – As South Sudan marks 15 years of independence on July 9, hopes that accompanied the birth of the world’s youngest country in 2011 have given way to a fragile reality. After decades of struggle for self-determination and a long civil war with Sudan, the country descended into its own conflict between 2013 and 2018, a war that researchers estimate killed hundreds of thousands of people. Although the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) largely ended the fighting, analysts and humanitarian agencies say implementation has stalled, leaving many South Sudanese questioning when the dividends of independence will finally reach them. “Basic services such as healthcare and clean water remain severely limited. They have become a privilege rather than a right,” Sabila Sebit, an activist from Western Bahr el Ghazal State, told Al Jazeera. She said ongoing localised and intercommunal violence continues to undermine daily life in many parts of the country. “Peace and security remain major concerns due to ongoing localised and intercommunal violence affecting almost every state. Establishing lasting peace is critical so that families can live safely and continue with their daily lives,” she said. Sebit also said the 35 percent affirmative action quota for women under the R-ARCSS has yet to be fully implemented, while legislation aimed at advancing women’s rights remains pending.
‘Persistent challenges’ South Sudan’s challenges include the “rise of intercommunal violence, revenge attacks, cattle raiding and the continuous killing of civilians by unknown gunmen”, women’s rights activist Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit told Al Jazeera. Bakhit said conflict-related sexual violence, early marriage, land grabbing and worsening economic hardship have left many communities struggling with hunger and without adequate government support. For Thomas Batista Balash, a resident of Juba, the anniversary is a moment for reflection rather than celebration. “On the 15th anniversary, I reflect on our journey with a personal perspective that acknowledges both our significant strides and persistent challenges,” Balash told Al Jazeera. He said corruption, tribalism and weak institutions continue to undermine progress, making national healing and reconciliation essential for unity. Across South Sudan, many citizens continue to grapple with soaring inflation, unemployment, unpaid public-sector salaries and limited access to education, healthcare and clean water. Humanitarian needs deepen Humanitarian agencies face mounting pressure as conflict, climate shocks and the arrival of more than 1.2 million returnees and refugees fleeing the war in neighbouring Sudan deepen already severe needs. “We’re seeing growing demand for trauma services as fighting intensifies,” Kieran Seager, spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Juba, told Al Jazeera. “In the first six months of 2026, we conducted 266 medical evacuations, 50 percent more than in the same period last year.” Many of those patients were transferred to Juba Military Hospital, which Seager said is operating beyond capacity.
The BriefWire