South Sudan: conflict and humanitarian situation

In July 2011, South Sudan gained independence thanks to appeasement of tribal rivalries. The two main tribes were represented at the head of the new state with a Dinka President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and a Nuer Vice-President, Riek Machar. They were supposed to have buried the hatchet thanks to years of fighting together to free southern Sudanese counties. However, in July 2013, Mr Machar was dismissed. The following December, Dinka-Nuer conflict erupted in the army, spreading to the whole population and leading to killings and massive displacement. More than one million people have so far fled their homes as a result. Fighting has prevented farmers from planting crops, and flooding has affected areas where people have sought refuge – making epidemics and food shortages unavoidable. NGOs and international institutions do their utmost to heal and feed the displaced, but as long as the population don’t feel sufficiently safe to return home, humanitarian aid is insufficient to prevent humanitarian disaster. To solve the issue implies a lasting ceasefire and an end to human rights abuses based on ethnicity.

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