South Sudan's Struggle for Stability
South Sudan faces ongoing instability and civil conflict rooted in colonial-era administrative divisions and ethnic tensions. Despite gaining independence in 2011, the nation has struggled with political infighting and humanitarian crises.
Why it matters
Understanding the historical context of South Sudan's formation is essential for analyzing the persistent geopolitical instability in the region.
South Sudan's Struggle for Stability In July 2011, millions of South Sudanese celebrated the birth of the world's newest country. Nearly 99 percent had voted to break away from Sudan after decades of war. Within two years the young nation collapsed into civil war along ethnic lines. President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar turned a personal rivalry into a national catastrophe. Colonial borders had stacked the deck against the South generations earlier. Today floods and fresh fighting still keep millions of people from home.
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