South Sudan

In July 2011 South Sudan became the world's newest state. However many issues remain to be decided including security arrangements, citizenship issues and the status of Abyei, an oil-rich region that straddles the north-south border. The situation is fragile and continued international support at all levels is vital to ensure that there is no resumption of large-scale conflict and that any violence is contained.

South Sudan continues to suffer chronic insecurity at the community level. Many of the conflicts have disputes over land, cattle, pasture and water resources at their roots, particularly those between pastoralists. Local politics often feed into and aggravate these conflicts. In addition, militias from bordering countries, most notably the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), have terrorised large swathes of south-western Sudan. Arms proliferation, cycles of inter-communal conflict and the presence of armed groups threaten not only overall stability but subject the civilian population to severe levels of crime and violence. There has been serious inter-communal violence in several states – in many cases fuelled further by forced civilian disarmament processes conducted by the SPLA.

Insecurity and militarisation are on the rise again in the south and potential triggers of political confrontation and violent conflict abound. Many critical issues still need to be addressed if a lasting peace is to be established.

For up to date information and analysis read the latest edition of South Sudan Monitor, a monthly newsletter from our Juba office.

The main conflict has been between the northern Government of Sudan, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in the south, although other parts of Sudan, specifically the Darfur region have also experienced serious conflict. In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM/A, formally ending this conflict. Under the terms of the CPA there was a referendum on Southern independence in January 2011, leading to the creation of the new Republic of South Sudan in July 2011.

The conflict has robbed more than a generation of an education, food security and health provision. The UN estimated that 4.3 million people needed food aid in 2010, and the country is acknowledged as having some of the worst health indicators in the world. Consequently, human and institutional capacity is especially weak.

In South Sudan Saferworld is encouraging an integrated approach to security-building which includes improving small arms controls, increasing community security and supporting the development of security and justice services.

 We are providing technical support to the Government of South Sudan in a number of ways, including through facilitating exchange visits to neighbouring states affected by similar security issues, both to share learning and to increase the involvement of South Sudan in regional small arms control mechanisms, as well as capacity-building on smalla arms and light weapons (SALW) issues.

We are supporting civil society groups such as the Southern Sudanese Action Network on Small Arms (SSANSA) to strengthen networking, co-ordination, and engagement of civil society on community security and SALW issues in Juba and at the State level. As part of this work we supported a series of public rallies across Southern Sudan in the lead up to the referendum in January 2011 to promote a peaceful vote.

We are also initiating community security interventions with local partners and community-based organisations in three locations, both to contribute to improved security in those locations and to develop appropriate models that could be replicated elsewhere.