South Sudan’s Power Struggles Threaten the Lives of 60,000 Children

By Godfred Zina

The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is deteriorating rapidly as a deadly combination of armed conflict, intercommunal violence, economic instability, climate change, and the ongoing war in Sudan continues to upend lives across the country.

In Upper Nile State, more than 60,000 malnourished children are now at risk of worsening nutritional conditions due to a sharp decline in humanitarian aid. Intensifying fighting has disrupted supply routes, with no food aid reaching parts of the region in nearly a month.

The situation is growing increasingly dire.

According to recent reports, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF warn that nutrition supplies could run out by the end of May without urgent international intervention. Upper Nile already suffers from some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the country – over 300,000 children have experienced moderate or severe malnutrition in just the past year.

A Fragile Peace on the Brink

This alarming escalation coincides with deepening political tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, threatening to unravel the fragile peace agreement signed in 2018. If left unchecked, this breakdown could plunge the nation back into large-scale civil conflict.

The consequences extend far beyond South Sudan’s borders. A resurgence of widespread violence would not only destabilize the country but also risk spilling over into neighboring states, many of which are already grappling with internal security challenges and displacement crises.

Humanitarian operations remain under constant threat from insecurity on the ground. Armed groups and local authorities must take immediate action to protect aid workers and ensure safe access for humanitarian organizations operating in the region.

Regional bodies such as the African Union have a critical role to play. Now is the time for coordinated diplomatic efforts to mediate between rival factions and prevent further catastrophe.

Without swift and sustained action, the world risks witnessing yet another tragic surge in child mortality and mass displacement.

South Sudan stands at a crossroads – one path leads toward renewed conflict and human suffering; the other, toward peace, stability, and recovery. The choice must be made quickly, before it’s too late.

Godfred Zina is a freelance journalist and an associate with DefSEC Analytics Africa – a consulting agency specializing in the provision of accurate data and assessments on security, politics, investment, trade, and other risks within Africa. He is based in Accra, Ghana.