South Sudan at 15: Hopes Fade Amid Fragile Peace and Stalled Progress

Fifteen years after its birth, South Sudan faces a reality far from the hopes that accompanied its independence. The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, signed in 2018, has largely failed to bring lasting peace, leaving many citizens questioning when the promised dividends of independence will materialize.

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Basic services such as healthcare and clean water remain severely limited. They have become a privilege rather than a right.

"Basic services such as healthcare and clean water remain severely limited. They have become a privilege rather than a right," said Sabila Sebit, an activist from Western Bahr el Ghazal State. She highlighted that ongoing localized and intercommunal violence continues to disrupt daily life across the country. "Peace and security remain major concerns due to ongoing localised and intercommunal violence affecting almost every state. Establishing lasting peace is critical so that families can live safely and continue with their daily lives," she added.

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Peace and security remain major concerns due to ongoing localised and intercommunal violence affecting almost every state. Establishing lasting peace is critical so that families can live safely and continue with their daily lives.

Women's rights activist Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit pointed to "persistent challenges" including the "rise of intercommunal violence, revenge attacks, cattle raiding and the continuous killing of civilians by unknown gunmen." She also noted that conflict-related sexual violence, early marriage, land grabbing, and worsening economic hardship have left many communities struggling with hunger and lacking adequate government support.

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Persistent challenges include the rise of intercommunal violence, revenge attacks, cattle raiding and the continuous killing of civilians by unknown gunmen.

For residents like Thomas Batista Balash in Juba, the anniversary is a time for somber reflection. He acknowledged "significant strides and persistent challenges," citing corruption, tribalism, and weak institutions as major impediments to progress. National healing and reconciliation, he believes, are essential for unity. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies face mounting pressure as intensifying conflict, climate shocks, and the arrival of over 1.2 million refugees from Sudan exacerbate already severe needs.

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On the 15th anniversary, I reflect on our journey with a personal perspective that acknowledges both our significant strides and persistent challenges.