Juba (AFP) - At least 23 people were killed and thousands were displaced as a result of battles that broke out since the beginning of October between the army and opposition forces in South Sudan.
Published on: 08/11/2026 - 15:35
South Sudan, which with its separation from Sudan in 2011 became the newest country in the world, suffers from chronic insecurity, in light of confrontations between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting his rival and former deputy, Riek Machar, who has been arrested since March 2025 on charges of committing crimes against humanity.
The government official in the Ruweng region (north), Tony Chol Ayat, said that forces loyal to Machar had launched three attacks there since October 4, the last of which was Thursday.
The confrontations resulted in the killing of at least 23 people, according to the source, which was confirmed by security sources.
The number of people fleeing the battles is estimated to range between 25,000 and more than 100,000.
The army spokesman declined to comment on this news, while sources of forces loyal to Machar did not respond to requests for comment.
South Sudan, which is considered one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world, is witnessing an escalation in bloody violence, whether ethnically motivated or due to conflicts over resources, especially livestock, in light of escalating political tensions.
Between 2013 and 2018, the forces of Salva Kiir and Riek Machar fought a bloody war that killed more than 400,000 people.
Despite this turbulent situation, the country is preparing to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 22, after they were postponed several times.
But the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in South Sudan warned that holding elections in the current circumstances “may ignite a new war.”
© 2026 AFP
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