South Sudan: Leaders' Corruption and Ethnicist Politics Fuel War
South Sudan's elites are driving the country into further violence through corruption and ethnicist politics. Since gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011, the country has been plagued by civil wars of varying intensity.
For the past eight months, Vice-President Riek Machar has faced charges including crimes against humanity, rebellion, and treason. He is accused of inciting the "white" Army militia to attack the Nasir barracks, resulting in over 250 soldier deaths.
- Riek Machar's organization: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in Opposition (SPLM-IO)
- Location of attack: Nasir, a city in Upper Nile State
- Consequences: death of over 250 soldiers, tens of thousands of civilians fleeing
Reprisal operations launched by President Salva Kiir targeted civilians, causing tens of thousands to flee.
The 2018 peace accords, intended to end the civil war, were never fully implemented, and clashes have continued on both sides.
Author's summary: Corruption and ethnicist politics fuel war in South Sudan.