United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating situation in South Sudan, warning that the country is on the brink of catastrophe. Speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York, Guterres described a “perfect storm” of crises descending upon the world’s youngest nation, calling for urgent international action.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 but quickly plunged into a brutal civil war in December 2013, pitting forces loyal to President Salva Kiir against those supporting his rival, Riek Machar. The conflict resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths before a peace agreement was reached in 2018, leading to the formation of a unity government.
However, the recent arrest of First Vice President Machar and escalating military clashes have reignited fears of renewed conflict. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that the fragile peace process is unraveling, endangering millions of lives.
Guterres painted a dire picture of South Sudan’s current reality, citing multiple crises converging at once. He highlighted a security emergency, political instability, a humanitarian disaster, an economic collapse, and a funding shortfall.
Half of the population faces severe food insecurity, and three out of four South Sudanese require humanitarian assistance. Additionally, over one million refugees have fled into South Sudan from neighboring Sudan, where rival militaries have been engaged in conflict since last year. The worsening humanitarian conditions are now exacerbated by an outbreak of cholera.
The UN chief urged South Sudanese leaders to de-escalate tensions and prioritize the welfare of their people. He emphasized the need to restore the unity government and fully implement the peace agreement, which remains the only viable path to stability and credible elections in December 2026.
Guterres also called on the international community to unify in support of peace efforts, welcoming the African Union’s initiative to deploy the Panel of the Wise to mediate the crisis.
“We cannot let South Sudan fall into the abyss,” he declared, urging immediate global action to prevent another devastating civil war.
