UN Chief: South Sudan Crisis Reminiscent of Past Civil Wars

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the deteriorating situation in South Sudan is increasingly echoing the country’s brutal civil wars of 2013 and 2016, which together killed 400,000 people. He stressed that the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar in Juba has effectively nullified the 2018 peace agreement, raising serious concerns about the potential for renewed conflict.

In statements made on March 28, 2025, Guterres called on South Sudan’s leaders to prioritize the welfare of their citizens by ending hostilities, amidst a backdrop of political unrest, humanitarian emergencies, and economic collapse. Regional and international actors have also weighed in, underscoring the urgency of a unified response to prevent further instability in the nation.