South Sudan

== History ==
{{Main|History of South Sudan}}

The [[Nilotic]] people of South Sudan—the [[Dinka people|Dinka]], [[Anyuak]], [[Bari people|Bari]], [[Acholi people|Acholi]], [[Nuer people|Nuer]], [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]], [[Kaligi people|Kaligi]] (Arabic Feroghe), and others—first entered South Sudan sometime before the tenth century, coinciding with the fall of [[medieval Nubia]]. From the 15th to the 19th century, tribal migrations, largely from the area of [[Bahr el Ghazal (region of South Sudan)|Bahr el Ghazal]], brought the Anyuak, Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk to their modern locations in Bahr El Ghazal and the Upper Nile Region, while the Acholi and [[Bari people|Bari]] settled in [[Equatoria]]. The [[Zande people|Zande]], [[Mundu people|Mundu]], [[Avukaya]] and [[Baka people (Congo and South Sudan)|Baka]], who entered South Sudan in the 16th century, established the region's largest state of Equatoria Region.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

The Dinka is the largest, the Nuer the second-largest, the Zande the third-largest, and the Bari the fourth-largest of South Sudan's ethnic groups. They are found in the [[Maridi]], [[Yambio]], and Tombura districts in the [[tropical rainforest]] belt of [[Western Equatoria]], the Adio of Azande client in [[Yei]], [[Central Equatoria]], and [[Western Bahr el Ghazal]]. In the 18th century, the Avungara [[Sib (anthropology)|sib]] rose to power over the rest of Azande society, a domination that continued into the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Helen Chapin Metz|editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz|title=Sudan: A Country Study|chapter-url=http://countrystudies.us/sudan/11.htm|series=Area handbook series|year=1991|publisher=GPO for the Library of Congress|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-0-8444-0750-0|chapter=The Turkiyah, 1821–85|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sudancountrystud00metz_0}}</ref> British policies favouring Christian missionaries, such as the Closed District Ordinance of 1922 (see [[History of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan]]), and geographical barriers such as the swamplands along the [[White Nile]] curtailed the spread of Islam to the south, thus allowing the southern tribes to retain much of their social and cultural heritage, as well as their political and religious institutions.

British colonial policy in Sudan had a long history of emphasizing the development of the Arab north and largely ignoring the Black African south, which lacked schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and other basic infrastructure. After Sudan's first independent elections in 1958, the continued neglect of the southern region by the [[Khartoum]] government led to uprisings, revolts, and the longest civil war on the continent.<ref>Matthew LeRiche, Matthew Arnold. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. 2012. Columbia University Press. New York. {{ISBN|978-0-231-70414-4}}</ref><ref>[[Richard Cockett]] Sudan: Darfur and the failure of an African state. 2010. Hobbs the Printers Ltd., Totten, Hampshire. {{ISBN|978-0-300-16273-8}}</ref> People affected by the violence included the [[Dinka]], [[Nuer people|Nuer]], [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]], [[Anyuak]], [[Murle people|Murle]], [[Bari]], [[Mundari people|Mundari]], [[Baka people (Congo and South Sudan)|Baka]], [[Balanda Bviri]],  [[Boya people|Boya]], [[Didinga]], [[Jiye people|Jiye]], [[Kakwa people|Kakwa]], [[Kaligi people|Kaligi]], [[Kuku people|Kuku]], [[Lotuka]], [[Nilotic]], [[Toposa people|Toposa]], and [[Zande people|Zande]].<ref>Matthew LeRiche, Matthew Arnold. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. 2012. Ethnic Groups and Flashpoints. p. xv. Columbia University Press. New York. {{ISBN|978-0-231-70414-4}}</ref>

The Azande have had good relations with their neighbours, namely the [[Moru people|Moru]], [[Mundu people|Mundu]], [[Pojulu people|Pöjulu]], [[Avukaya people|Avukaya]], Baka, and the small groups in Bahr el Ghazal, due to the expansionist policy of their king [[Gbudwe]], in the 18th century. In the 19th century, the Azande fought the French, the [[Belgium|Belgians]] and the [[Muhammad Ahmed|Mahdists]] to maintain their independence. [[Ottoman Egypt]], under the rule of [[Khedive]] [[Isma'il Pasha|Ismail Pasha]], first attempted to control the region in the 1870s, establishing the province of [[Equatoria]] in the southern portion. Egypt's first appointed governor was [[Samuel Baker]], commissioned in 1869, followed by [[Charles George Gordon]] in 1874, and by [[Emin Pasha]] in 1878.<ref name="Levering Lewis 1995">{{cite book|last=Levering Lewis|first=David|title=The Race to Fashoda|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|place=New York|year=1995}}</ref>

The [[Muhammad Ahmed|Mahdist Revolt]] of the 1880s destabilized the nascent province, and Equatoria ceased to exist as an Egyptian outpost in 1889. Important settlements in Equatoria included [[Lado District|Lado]], [[Gondokoro]], [[Dufile]], and [[Wadelai]]. European colonial manoeuvrings in the region came to a head in 1898, when the [[Fashoda Incident]] occurred at present-day [[Kodok]]; Britain and France almost went to war over the region.<ref name="Levering Lewis 1995" /> Britain then treated South Sudan as a distinct entity with a different stage of development than the North. This policy was legalized in 1930 by the announcement of the Southern Policy.  In 1946, without consulting Southern opinion, the British administration reversed its Southern Policy and began instead to implement a policy of uniting the North and the South.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.africabib.org/rec.php?RID=111593646|title=The 1947 Juba Conference|author=Kenneth Okeny|journal=Northeast African Studies |jstor=43660336|year=1991|volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=39–58 }}</ref>

The region has been negatively affected by two civil wars since Sudanese independence: from 1955 to 1972, the Sudanese government fought the [[Anyanya]] rebel army (Anya-Nya is a term in the [[Madi language (Sudan and Uganda)|Madi]] language which means "snake venom")<ref>Matthew LeRiche, Matthew Arnold. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. 2012. Columbia University Press. New York. p. 16 {{ISBN|978-0-231-70414-4}}</ref> during the [[First Sudanese Civil War]], followed by the [[Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement]] (SPLA/M) in the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]] for over twenty years, from 1983 to 2005. As a result, the country suffered serious neglect, a lack of infrastructure development, and major destruction and displacement. More than 2.5 million people have been killed, and millions more have become [[refugee]]s both within and outside the country.

South Sudan has an estimated population of 11 million people in 2023<ref>[https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/south-sudan-population/ Worldometers website, retrieved 2023-08-28]</ref> but, given the lack of a census in several decades, this estimate may be severely distorted. The economy is predominantly rural and relies chiefly on [[subsistence farming]].<ref>[https://www.wfp.org/news/boost-food-security-south-sudan-nine-ventures-bag-us200000-wfp-undps-ignite-food-systems World Food Programme, article dated May 12, 2022]</ref><ref>[https://www.unops.org/news-and-stories/stories/roads-to-food-security-in-south-sudan United Nations Office for Project Services website]</ref> Around 2005, the economy began a transition from this rural dominance, and urban areas within South Sudan have seen extensive development.

===Independence (2011)===
[[File:A South Sudanese girl at independence festivities (5926735716).jpg|thumb|upright|A South Sudanese girl at independence festivities]]

Between 9 and 15 January 2011, as a consequence of the [[Comprehensive Peace Agreement]], [[Southern Sudanese independence referendum, 2011|a referendum]] was held to determine whether South Sudan should become an independent country, separate from Sudan. Following that, 98.83% of those who took part in the referendum voted for separation or independence.<ref>{{cite news|work=USA Today|title=Over 99 pct in Southern Sudan vote for secession|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2011-01-30-2052877353_x.htm|access-date=30 January 2011|date=30 January 2011|first=Maggie|last=Fick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202151710/http://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2011-01-30-2052877353_x.htm|archive-date=2 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> And on 23 January 2011, members of a steering committee on post-independence governing told reporters that upon independence the land would be named the Republic of South Sudan "out of familiarity and convenience". Other names that had been considered were [[Azania]], Nile Republic, [[Kingdom of Kush|Kush]] Republic and even Juwama, a [[portmanteau]] for [[Juba (Southern Sudan)|Juba]], [[Wau, Sudan|Wau]] and [[Malakal]], three major cities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/africa/24sudan.html|title=Southern Sudan Nears a Decision on One Matter: Its New Name|author=Kron, Josh|date=23 January 2011|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> South Sudan formally became independent from Sudan on 9 July, although certain disputes still remained, including the division of oil revenues, as 75% of all the former Sudan's oil reserves are in South Sudan.<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=South Sudan profile|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082|access-date=14 February 2014|date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214043200/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082|archive-date=14 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The region of [[Abyei]] still remains disputed and a separate referendum will be held in Abyei on whether they want to join Sudan or South Sudan.<ref>{{cite news|title=99.57% of Southern Sudanese vote yes to independence|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12317927|access-date=30 January 2011|date=30 January 2011|work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130081322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12317927|archive-date=30 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[South Kordofan conflict]] broke out in June 2011 between the [[Sudan People's Armed Forces|Army of Sudan]] and the SPLA over the [[Nuba Mountains]].

On 9 July 2011, South Sudan became the 54th independent country in Africa<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14089843 South Sudan becomes an independent nation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213502/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14089843|date=10 October 2018}}, BBC News.</ref> (9 July is now celebrated as [[List of national independence days|Independence Day]], a national holiday<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Sudan|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/|access-date=7 July 2021|website=CIA World Factbook}}</ref>) and since 14 July 2011, South Sudan is the 193rd member of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/381552|title=UN welcomes South Sudan as 193rd Member State|date=14 July 2011|website=UN News|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128123134/https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/381552|archive-date=28 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 July 2011, South Sudan became the 54th country to join the [[African Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.int/en/content/african-union-welcomes-south-sudan-54th-member-state-union|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812031145/http://www.au.int/en/content/african-union-welcomes-south-sudan-54th-member-state-union|url-status=dead|title=au.int: ''African Union Welcomes South Sudan as the 54th Member State of the Union''|archive-date=12 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=5 January 2011|title=The LRA and Sudan|work=[[Al Jazeera English]]|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/01/20111585750480428.html|url-status=live|access-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318090401/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/01/20111585750480428.html|archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> In September 2011, [[Google Maps]] recognized South Sudan as an independent country, after a massive crowdsourcing mapping initiative was launched.<ref>{{Cite web|last=PiersDillonScott|date=17 September 2011|title=Google Maps officially recognises South Sudan as an independent country|url=https://sociable.co/web/google-maps-officially-recognises-south-sudan-as-an-independent-country/|access-date=11 March 2021|website=The Sociable|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2011 it was reported that South Sudan was at war with at least seven armed groups in 9 of its 10 states, with tens of thousands displaced.<ref name="rebellion">{{cite news|title=South Sudan army kills fighters in clashes|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011424145446998235.html|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=24 April 2011|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429090553/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011424145446998235.html|archive-date=29 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The fighters accuse the government of plotting to stay in power indefinitely, not fairly representing and supporting all tribal groups while neglecting development in rural areas.<ref name="rebellion" /><ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/06/02/hundreds_of_civilian_casualties_in_s_sudan_battle/|title=Civilians dead in South Sudan battle|agency=Associated Press|date=2 June 2011|author1=Fick, Maggie|author2=Straziuso, Jason|name-list-style=amp|access-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203063545/http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/06/02/hundreds_of_civilian_casualties_in_s_sudan_battle/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Lord's Resistance Army]] (LRA) also operates in a wide area that includes South Sudan.

Inter-ethnic warfare in some cases predates the war of independence and is widespread. In December 2011, [[Ethnic violence in South Sudan#Murle-Nuer fighting|tribal clashes]] intensified between the [[Nuer White Army]] of the [[Luo peoples|Lou]] [[Nuer people|Nuer]] and the [[Murle people|Murle]].<ref name="aljazeera2">{{cite news|title=Thousands flee South Sudan tribal conflict|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/01/201212101840599359.html|work=[[Al Jazeera English]]|date=3 January 2012|access-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102152458/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/01/201212101840599359.html|archive-date=2 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The White Army warned it would wipe out the Murle and would also fight South Sudanese and [[United Nations Mission in South Sudan|UN forces]] sent to the area around [[Pibor]].<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news|title=United Nations urges South Sudan to Help Avert Possible Attack|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-27/united-nations-urges-south-sudan-to-help-avert-possible-attack.html|work=[[Bloomberg Television]]|date=27 December 2011|access-date=3 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214130705/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-27/united-nations-urges-south-sudan-to-help-avert-possible-attack.html|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2012, South Sudanese forces seized the [[Heglig]] oil fields in lands claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan in the province of [[South Kordofan]] after [[2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict|conflict with Sudanese forces]] in the South Sudanese state of [[Unity (state)|Unity]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17515209|title=Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes|publisher=BBC News Africa|date=27 March 2012|access-date=27 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109224240/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17515209|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> South Sudan withdrew on 20 March, and the Sudanese Army entered Heglig two days later.

=== Joining East Africa ===
South Sudan, [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of Congo]] and [[Federal Republic of Somalia]] are the newest members of the [[East African Community]]. South Sudan acceded to the Treaty of the East Africa Community on 15 April 2016 and became a full Member on 15 August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Republic of South Sudan|url=https://www.eac.int/eac-partner-states/south-sudan|access-date=2022-04-08|website=www.eac.int}}</ref>

=== Civil War (2013–2020) ===
{{See also|South Sudanese Civil War}}
{{further|Ethnic violence in South Sudan}}
[[File:Southern Sudan Civil War.svg|thumb|Military situation in South Sudan on 22 March 2020
{{legend|#ebc0b3|Under control of the Government of South Sudan}}
{{legend|#cae7c4|Under control of the [[Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition]]}}
{{legend|blue|Under control of the [[Government of Sudan]]}}]]

On the 5th of September 2013, an article written by analyst Duop Chak Wuol was published by the US-based South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ssnanews.com/index.php/2013/09/05/the-splm-and-the-rise-of-autocracy-in-south-sudan/|title=The SPLM and the Rise of Autocracy in South Sudan|date=5 September 2013}}</ref> The writer raised critical questions surrounding what he described as the rise of autocracy within the top leadership of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and warned of monumental repercussions unless the ruling elites restored the founding principles of the party. Duop also berated the ruling party, arguing that the party has replaced its founding principles with "forgotten promises and deceptions." In December 2013, a political power struggle broke out between President Kiir and his former deputy [[Riek Machar]], as the president accused Machar and ten others of attempting a [[2013 South Sudanese coup d'état attempt|coup d'état]].<ref name="Kulish">{{cite news|last=Kulish|first=Nicholas|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/world/africa/new-estimate-sharply-raises-death-toll-in-south-sudan.html|title=New Estimate Sharply Raises Death Toll in South Sudan|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 January 2014|access-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015153429/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/world/africa/new-estimate-sharply-raises-death-toll-in-south-sudan.html|archive-date=15 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Fighting broke out, igniting the [[South Sudanese Civil War]]. Ugandan troops were deployed to fight alongside South Sudanese government forces against the rebels.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25759650|title=Yoweri Museveni: Uganda troops fighting South Sudan rebels|journal=BBC News|date=16 January 2014|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006114751/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25759650|archive-date=6 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The United Nations has peacekeepers in the country as part of the [[United Nations Mission in South Sudan]] (UNMISS). Numerous ceasefires were mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development ([[IGAD]]) between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and [[SPLM-IO|SPLM – in opposition]] and were subsequently broken. A peace agreement was signed in Ethiopia under threat of United Nations sanctions for both sides in August 2015.<ref name="South Sudan country profile">{{Cite news|url=http://bbc.com/news/world-africa-14069082|title=South Sudan country profile|journal=BBC News|date=6 August 2018|access-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620123955/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14069082|archive-date=20 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Machar returned to Juba in 2016 and was appointed vice president.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36140423|title=South Sudan rebel chief Riek Machar sworn in as vice-president|publisher=bbcnews.com|access-date=30 April 2016|date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429155058/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-36140423|archive-date=29 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a second breakout of violence in Juba, Machar was replaced as vice-president<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/south-sudan-opposition-replaces-missing-leader-machar-160723144856580.html|title=South Sudan opposition replaces missing leader Machar|date=23 July 2016|publisher=aljazeera|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727102427/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/south-sudan-opposition-replaces-missing-leader-machar-160723144856580.html|archive-date=27 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and he fled the country<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37116862|title=South Sudan conflict: Sacked VP Riek Machar goes into exile|publisher=bbcnews.com|access-date=19 August 2016|date=18 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818231703/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37116862|archive-date=18 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> as the conflict erupted again. Rebel in-fighting has become a major part of the conflict.<ref name="fp0117">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2017/01/02/the-revenge-of-salva-kiir-south-sudan-genocide-ethnic-cleansing/|title=The revenge of Salva Kiir|date=2 January 2017|publisher=foreignpolicy|access-date=27 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626152337/http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/01/02/the-revenge-of-salva-kiir-south-sudan-genocide-ethnic-cleansing/|archive-date=26 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Rivalry among Dinka factions led by the President and Malong Awan has also led to fighting. In August 2018, another power-sharing agreement came into effect.<ref name="washingtonpost0718">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-sudans-warring-leaders-agree-to-share-power-again/2018/07/25/6ca19412-902b-11e8-ae59-01880eac5f1d_story.html|title=South Sudan's warring leaders agree to share power, again|date=25 July 2018|access-date=1 August 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726110843/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-sudans-warring-leaders-agree-to-share-power-again/2018/07/25/6ca19412-902b-11e8-ae59-01880eac5f1d_story.html|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

About 400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the war,<ref>{{cite news|title=Nearly 400,000 'excess deaths' caused by South Sudan war|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-400000-excess-deaths-south-sudan-58090309|work=ABC News|date=26 September 2018|access-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008022704/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-400000-excess-deaths-south-sudan-58090309|archive-date=8 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> including notable atrocities such as the [[2014 Bentiu massacre]].<ref name="Reuters0918">{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southsudan-unrest-toll/study-estimates-190000-people-killed-in-south-sudans-civil-war-idUSKCN1M626R| work=Reuters| title=Study estimates 190,000 people killed in South Sudan's civil war| date=26 September 2018| access-date=26 September 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926173943/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southsudan-unrest-toll/study-estimates-190000-people-killed-in-south-sudans-civil-war-idUSKCN1M626R| archive-date=26 September 2018| url-status=live}}</ref> Although both men have supporters from across South Sudan's ethnic divides, subsequent fighting has been communal, with rebels targeting members of Kiir's Dinka ethnic group and government soldiers attacking Nuers.<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25944446|title=South Sudan 'coup leaders' face treason trial|journal=BBC News|date=29 January 2014|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102093736/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25944446|archive-date=2 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> More than 4 million people have been displaced, with about 1.8 million of those internally displaced, and about 2.5 million having fled to neighbouring countries, especially Uganda and Sudan.<ref name="WashingtonPost0918">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/a-new-report-estimates-more-than-380000-people-have-died-in-south-sudans-civil-war/2018/09/25/e41fcb84-c0e7-11e8-9f4f-a1b7af255aa5_story.html|title=A new report estimates that more than 380,000 people have died in South Sudan's civil war|agency=Washington Post|date=26 September 2018|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926131126/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/a-new-report-estimates-more-than-380000-people-have-died-in-south-sudans-civil-war/2018/09/25/e41fcb84-c0e7-11e8-9f4f-a1b7af255aa5_story.html|archive-date=26 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 20 February 2020, [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] and [[Riek Machar]] agreed to a peace deal,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51562367|title=South Sudan rivals strike power-sharing deal|date=22 February 2020|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref> and on 22 February 2020 formed a [[Cabinet of South Sudan|national unity government]] as Machar was sworn in as the [[Vice President of South Sudan|First Vice President]] of the country.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mednick|first=Sam|title=After 6 years of war, will peace finally come to South Sudan?|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/2/23/after-6-years-of-war-will-peace-finally-come-to-south-sudan|access-date=2023-02-03|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref>

Despite the official cessation of the civil war, violence between armed militia groups at the community level has continued in the country; according to [[Yasmin Sooka]], Chair of the Commission of Human Rights in Sudan, the level of violence "far exceeds the violence between 2013 and 2019".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-19|title=Violence in South Sudan engulfs country, 10 years after independence 'children all have guns' {{!}} UN News|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1085202|access-date=2023-02-03|website=news.un.org|language=en}}</ref>

The [[2024 South Sudanese general election|first democratic elections in South Sudan since the start of the civil war]] were scheduled for 2023 by the peace agreement that ended the war officially, but the transitional government and opposition agreed in 2022 to move them to late 2024 instead.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-08-04|title=South Sudan again delays its 1st election, until late 2024|url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-africa-sudan-south-juba-4f35064ef1173a9e14f6e60f55d36b50|access-date=2023-02-03|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref>