Voices in the Silence: What’s Really Happening in South Sudan

Voices in the Silence: What’s Really Happening in South Sudan

Most people don’t hear much about South Sudan anymore, but behind the silence is a country suffering through one of the world’s worst humanitarian and human rights crises. While South Sudan gained independence in 2011 with hope for peace and self-rule, years of government fighting, corruption, and ethnic violence have left millions of people living in fear, poverty, and trauma.

A Nation at War with Itself

The conflict in South Sudan began shortly after independence when political tensions between the president, Salva Kiir, and his then-deputy, Riek Machar, turned into violent fighting in 2013. What started as a power struggle quickly exploded into a civil war that divided the country along ethnic lines. Even though a peace agreement was signed in 2018, violence and human rights abuses have never truly stopped.

Today, entire villages are burned down. Civilians are attacked and displaced by armed groups, including government forces. The United Nations recently reported that hundreds of civilians have been killed, women and girls have been raped, and thousands forced to flee in just the past year.  According to a recent UN-led report, only between the months of August and December 2022 in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan, there were at least 594 civilians were killed, 290 injured, 258 abducted, and 75 women and girls subjected to sexual violence during fighting. These attacks often happen along ethnic lines, creating cycles of revenge and fear that keep the country unstable.

Widespread Human Rights Abuses

The stories coming out of South Sudan are devastating. Women and children have been the most affected — many have survived sexual violence, kidnapping, and torture at the hands of soldiers and militias. Reports from Amnesty International describe sexual violence as “an epidemic,” used to terrorize communities and break their spirit.

Meanwhile, people who try to speak up — journalists, activists, and humanitarian workers — are often threatened, arrested, or silenced. This means much of the suffering goes unnoticed by the outside world.

A Humanitarian Emergency

Over 9 million people — more than two-thirds of South Sudan’s population — need humanitarian assistance to survive. Many families rely entirely on food aid, yet deliveries are often blocked or delayed because of ongoing fighting and flooding. Thousands live in displacement camps with little access to clean water, healthcare, or safety.

Children are especially vulnerable — many have lost their parents, dropped out of school, or been forced into child marriage or armed groups just to survive.

Why This Matters

South Sudan’s crisis is not just a local issue. It’s a reminder of how fragile peace can be when power, greed, and corruption take over a nation. It shows what happens when leaders prioritize control over people’s lives — and when the world stops paying attention.

Every person in South Sudan deserves to live without fear of violence or hunger. By learning about what’s happening, sharing the truth, and supporting humanitarian organizations working on the ground, we can help make sure these voices are not forgotten.

What You Can Do

Stay informed: Follow trusted news sources like Al Jazeera, BBC Africa, and Amnesty International.

Support aid efforts: Donate to organizations like the UN Refugee Agency, UNICEF, or Doctors Without Borders.

Raise awareness: Share posts, talk about it, and help others understand that South Sudan still needs global attention.

South Sudan is more than its conflict — it’s home to resilient people who continue to hope for peace despite unimaginable loss. The least we can do is learn, speak up, and care. Because silence allows suffering to continue and awareness is the first step toward change.