Fighting Between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar Forces Displaces 280,000 in South Sudan

Fighting in Jonglei State in South Sudan between forces loyal to Salva Kiir and those aligned with Riek Machar has displaced about 280,000 people since December, according to the United Nations. The violence has worsened food shortages and strained hospitals, while aid agencies warn that children are among the most affected as the country continues to depend heavily on international aid.

Renewed fighting in Jonglei State between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and troops aligned with suspended Vice President Riek Machar has forced an estimated 280,000 people to flee their homes since December, according to figures released by the United Nations.
The violence has intensified an already fragile humanitarian situation in South Sudan, where years of conflict, economic instability, and weak governance have left millions of people vulnerable to food shortages, disease, and displacement. Many families have abandoned their villages and farms in search of safety, often moving toward overcrowded towns and temporary camps where access to food, clean water, and medical care is extremely limited.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of conflict. The new nation initially raised hopes for peace and stability among its citizens. However, the optimism quickly faded when political rivalry between Kiir and his then-deputy Machar escalated into a brutal civil war in 2013. The conflict divided communities along political and ethnic lines, leading to widespread violence, destruction of property, and massive displacement of civilians.
Although several peace agreements have been signed over the years, tensions between the two political factions have continued to simmer. The renewed clashes in Jonglei State highlight the fragile nature of the country’s stability and demonstrate how quickly violence can resurface in areas that have already suffered years of unrest.
Humanitarian organisations say the latest wave of fighting has worsened an already severe food crisis. Officials warn that about 825,000 people across Jonglei State, Unity State, and Eastern Equatoria State are now at risk of acute malnutrition. The displacement of families has disrupted farming activities, destroyed food supplies, and made it difficult for people to access markets or humanitarian aid.
The crisis is particularly visible in Bor, the capital of Jonglei State. At the town’s main hospital, doctors and nurses say they are struggling to cope with the rising number of displaced families seeking medical treatment. Many of the patients arriving at the hospital have traveled long distances without adequate food or water, and some suffer from malnutrition, infections, or untreated injuries.
Medical workers say the facility is under enormous strain as stocks of medicines, medical equipment, and other essential supplies are being exhausted rapidly.
David Tor, the acting director of the hospital, explained that the situation has placed severe pressure on the hospital staff and resources as they attempt to respond to the needs of the increasing number of patients.
“Because of the increase in the number of people who need services, we have run out of almost everything. At a certain point, we may lose patients,” Tor said while speaking to Agence France-Presse.
The healthcare situation has worsened further following the destruction of the only health facility in Fangak County. The hospital served more than 100,000 residents and was operated by the humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières.
In May, helicopter gunships and drones attacked the medical compound, destroying the pharmacy and vital medical supplies stored there. The destruction of the facility has left thousands of people without access to basic medical services.
Local officials say assistance is being arranged to help ease the pressure on health facilities in the region. Nyamar Lony Ngundeng, the information minister for Jonglei State, said that additional supplies would be delivered to the hospital in Bor.
“I would say it’s enough until the hospital or the ministry of health says otherwise,” she said, although she acknowledged that the health system in the region continues to face serious challenges.
South Sudan’s fragile political stability is largely tied to a power-sharing agreement signed in 2018 between President Kiir and Machar. The agreement was intended to end years of civil war and bring opposition leaders back into government as part of a unity administration.
Under the deal, Machar returned to government as deputy to Kiir. While the agreement helped reduce large-scale fighting, tensions between rival political factions have gradually increased over the past year, raising concerns that the country could once again face serious instability.
Humanitarian agencies say children are among the most severely affected by the renewed violence. Aid groups warn that continued instability is creating another generation of young people who are growing up without access to stable education, healthcare, and safe living conditions.
According to the World Bank, about 70 percent of children in South Sudan are not currently attending school. Many schools have been closed or destroyed due to years of conflict, and displaced families often struggle to prioritize education while trying to secure food and shelter.
The UNICEF has also reported that more than half of the people displaced by the recent clashes are children. Many of these children have been forced to flee their homes several times as violence spreads from one area to another.
Aid workers say repeated displacement exposes children to many risks, including hunger, disease, psychological trauma, and exploitation. Without improved security conditions and stronger humanitarian support, the long-term consequences for the country’s younger population could be severe.
South Sudan continues to rely heavily on international assistance to maintain basic services. International donors currently fund between 80 and 90 percent of the country’s healthcare needs, reflecting the government’s limited capacity to provide essential services independently.
At the same time, governance challenges have further complicated the country’s recovery. Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International recently ranked South Sudan as the most corrupt country in the world in its global corruption index.
The United Nations has also reported that billions of dollars generated from the country’s oil revenues have been diverted by political elites over the years. These financial losses have reduced the resources available for essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
As fighting continues in parts of Jonglei State and humanitarian needs increase across the country, aid agencies are calling on authorities and armed groups to prioritise the protection of civilians and allow humanitarian organisations safe access to affected communities. Observers warn that without lasting peace and stronger institutions, the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan could deepen further in the coming months.