A bloody conflict is threatening to break out again in the world's youngest country. Violent clashes are taking place between government troops and militias; bombs have also fallen near the capital Juba. According to the UN, 60,000 people are on the run. Humanitarian aid is now urgently needed.
Violent clashes have been taking place in various cities in South Sudan for weeks. Last week, the South Sudanese government also brought troops from Uganda to Juba to secure the capital and at the same time bombard Nasir (Upper Nile State). Dozens of people were killed in the fighting. At least 60,000 people have fled the affected region since February.
President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar accuse each other of fueling the conflict. Just a few days ago, Salva Kiir claimed to want to maintain the fragile peace, but now Riek Machar has been taken out of his house with heavily armed troops and placed under house arrest.
Mission 21 plans aid mission
South Sudan, with a population of around eleven million, experienced a severe civil war following its independence from its northern neighbor Sudan in 2011. President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his opponent Riek Machar formed a joint transitional government in 2020, which is now in danger of failing. The head of the local UN mission, Nicholas Haysom, and the churches in South Sudan have called on the opponents to commit to the 2018 peace agreement and end the violence.
Mission 21 has been present in South Sudan for many years and is active in various projects, including peacebuilding, together with its partner church PCOSS, the South Sudan Council of Churches SSCC and other organizations. Due to the fragile situation, our coordination office in Juba was temporarily closed on Thursday, March 27. Other embassies are also recalling their international staff. Together with its partner organizations, Mission 21 is preparing to provide targeted humanitarian aid.
â–º Donate here for humanitarian aid in South Sudan
â–º "Standing up for a peaceful society" - Mission 21's 2025 campaign focuses on peacebuilding
â–º "South Sudan - Between Hope and Oblivion" article in the magazine "Ã propos"
