Since gaining its independence, South Sudan has not been off to a good start, as it commenced a civil war in 2013, just two years after separating from Sudan. The world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, fell into turmoil when the Vice President, Reik Machar, repeatedly accused the President, Salva Kiir, as behaving and ruling too dictator-like. After these allegations, Machar was thrown from power and exiled out of the country. This move by the president did not sit well with the followers of Machar, and consequently they took up arms against those loyal to President Kiir. Fast forward four years, the two sides are continuing to battle each other in their now war-devastated country. Personally, I believe the reason that the two sides are fighting is due to ancient tribal hostilities between those associated with Kiir, the Dinka tribe, and those associated with Machar, the Nuer tribe. When Kiir first came to power, he specifically selected a Vice President from a different tribe as a means of assuaging relations between domestic South Sudanese tribes by creating a cohesive governing force. Nowadays, the violence in South Sudan has only intensified amongst those in favor of the government and those in opposition. Unfortunately, the civilians of South Sudan are suffering the consequences of the war through devastated villages, famine, limited resources, and nationwide displacement. Civilians are being forced to flee as refugees to neighboring countries such as Uganda and Sudan – so much that South Sudanese are now part of the third largest refugee crisis, as their numbers continue to mount 1 million. As well as a refugee crisis, the nation is starving. Famine was declared just over a year ago by the UN because people are not able to plant or grow food, and access to markets has become increasingly dangerous because of the war. For instance, its unlikely that when a civilian encounters soldiers fighting for the opposite side, that they will be received warmly and be allowed to pass through the territory. Similarly, this war has been increasingly difficult on women and children because of the constant threat of rape, and children are not being educated because schools are closed due to the fighting. One can only pray for an end to the violence, but as of now, it doesn’t appear that either side of the war is deteriorating or looking for negotiation or any sort of peace terms.
