Conflict in South Sudan

By Mohammad Alshereda

South Sudan is the youngest country in the world. It gained its independence in July, 2011. The official name of the country is the Republic of South Sudan and its president is Salva Kiir Mayardit.

In December, 2013 a civil war started between the government and a rebel group called (AGF) which stands for the anti-governmental forces led by Riek Machar, a vice president who gained the loyalty of some army forces. The civil war lasted for 6 years then the situation calmed down after the United Nations interfered with a peace-keeping mission.

The civil war in South Sudan has resulted in the death of about 400,000 people.

South Sudan has about 62 ethnic groups. The largest among them are the Dinka followed by the Nuer. The majority of people are Christians.

The thirst for power, money and control are the cause of most conflicts in the world (if not all of them). South Sudan had a very bad start as a country because conflicts cause anarchy which is a very attractive environment for terrorist groups to jump in and join the fight. That is the last thing people of South Sudan want.

My message to people of South Sudan is:

“You are a newborn country with high hopes for the future. Your actions decide whether that future will be dark or bright. The application of peace must be done as soon as possible before the fire of civil war becomes too big to extinguish. Only through peace can your nation rise up”.