South Sudan

South Sudan has been caught in a cycle of civil conflicts since 1955. Now an independent nation, control over natural resources such as oil and timber has been key to its recurrent periods of violence. Once home to some of the richest and most populous wildlife habitats in Africa, insecurity and the availability of arms have driven severe losses in biodiversity, the true extent of which remains unclear. Pollution from its oil industry plagues oil producing areas with lax controls over environmental standards. Read the South Sudan briefing.

Publications

Report: Deforestation in conflict areas in 2020

Deforestation is a common problem for countries affected by conflict. In 2020, COVID-19 placed further constraints on forest management in these areas. This report reviews the latest satellite data on forest loss in seven countries, analysing the forces driving deforestation.

Blogs

Wetland dynamics and conflict in the Sudd

Climate change can drive variation in the availability of natural resources, so Charlotta Ruuskanen looked at whether annual changes in the area of the Sudd wetland in South Sudan influenced the intensity of conflict between pastoralist communities.

Twitter: #SouthSudan

#SouthSudan has moved to protect an oilfield close to its border with Sudan for fear of it being attacked by the RSF. The Heglig field was the scene of heavy fighting in 2012 during the border war with Sudan.

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External content