South Sudan Civil War | By Dr. Mahipal Singh Rathore

Table of Contents

Introduction

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 Embroiled in a disastrous civil war since December 2013 Massive displacement of population and a severe famine

Origin of the conflict

Britain + Egypt administered south Sudan and north Sudan as separate regions (1899-1956) They were merged into a single administrative region without consultation with southern leaders who feared being subsumed by the political power of the larger north

Independence to a ‘United Sudan’ in 1956

The North South Divide North Sudan –

North Sudan – Arab Muslims South Sudan – Christians, Multiple ethnic tribes

Sudanese Civil Wars

1st Sudan War 1st Sudan War 2005 – Peace agreement between Sudan and SPLA/M 6 years time for transition 2011 – Referendum , South Sudan becomes Independent Govt formed by SPLM – Salva Kiir invites Riek Machar to join the government

A General Profile of South Sudan

Large oil reserves Few roads White Nile is the lifeline for trade and transport Population 11 million No tradition of centralized political authority in ethnic groups They embrace a cattle culture where land is held by the community and Cattle is a measure of wealth in tribal society Frequent cattle raids

Salva Kiir – President Riek Machar -Vice President Dinka tribe (35% ) Nuer tribe (15%)

• 2013 – ‘’Attempted’’ coup d’état by Riek Machar

• Salva Kiir dismissed him from vice president post

• 15 December 2013 – War breaks out

• SPLM –IO (Machar)

• A political squabble between the two leaders has escalated into large scale ethnic violence and consequently turned into a civil war

• The army split and there were clashes around the country.

• Mass killings along ethnic lines

• Both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar have prominent supporters from the other’s community and other ethic tribes too

• Forces backing Mr Machar seized the key town of Bentiu, capital of the oil-producing Unity State.

• The country is awash with guns after the decades of conflict and there is a history of ethnic tension.

• January 2014- First Ceasefire – Failed

• August 2015 – “Compromise Peace Agreement“

• April 2016 – Machar returns to Juba –appointed Vice president again

• July 2016 – Fighting breaks out in Juba

• Late 2016 – Country wide clashes erupt Green- SPLM IO (Machar) Pink – Govt (Kiir)

IGAD

Intergovernmental Authority on Development 8 country trade bloc in Africa Headquarters – Djibouti City 1. Djibouti 2. Eritrea 3. Ethiopia 4. Somalia 5. Uganda 6. Kenya 7. Sudan 8. South Sudan

Why Peace is allusive?

• Obama, Ban Ki Moon were close to ending their tenures
• Neighbouring African countries have their own interests
• Oil!
• China and Russia preventing Security council action
• Weapons suppliers are reaping huge profits

Operation Sankat Mochan

Indian Air force airlifted its civilians (also other nationalities) in July 2016 when fighting broke out in Juba India also providing Support for UNMISS

Effects of the Civil war

• 50,000 people have been killed • Ethnic cleansing • 3.5 million displaced • Diseases spreading in refugee camps • Rape of women in shelter camps • 70% schools are closed • 6 million affected by famine