 |
Country Profile for SOUTH SUDAN |
Risk Rating |
General Information |
Country Map |
|
|
Red (High Risk)
InTouch advice:
Most parts of the country are dangerous. Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Amber (Moderate Risk) InTouch advice: Some parts of the country are dangerous. Travel with caution. Green (Low Risk) InTouch advice: Most parts of the country are safe. Travel freely. |
Capital: Juba Major Languages: English Currency: South Sudanese Pound Timezone: GMT +3:00 |
|
Overview
Overview
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011, making it the world's newest nation state. Independence came about as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 following decades of civil war. A referendum was held in January 2011 and 99% of voters opted for secession from the rest of Sudan.
There are a number of unresolved issues between Sudan and South Sudan and the potential for further conflict between the two states will remain high in the short-medium term. In the months leading up to independence there were a number of clashes between armed forces from the north and south. These were centred around the disputed Abyei region and, although the two sides have signed a peace agreement, future clashes are possible. Ethiopian peacekeepers are due to be deployed to Abyei in an attempt to maintain the peace agreement.
Instability is widespread throughout the region and various rebel groups operate around the borders of Central African Republic, Uganda and DRC. The most notable of these are the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda and the group have carried out a number of deadly attacks in the border regions. The government of Sudan have been accused of supporting the LRA's insurgency and during the Sudanese civil war the LRA fought against the southern Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). Travel to the border between Uganda and South Sudan should be undertaken with extreme caution.
Crime levels in South Sudan are relatively high and, due to the availability of weapons, armed robbery and assault are serious concerns. The country has high levels of unemployment and the economy of the fledgling state is precarious. Petty criminals are known to operate in the capital Juba and foreigners are likely to be targeted for their perceived wealth. Extra vigilance is advised, particularly around hotels and restaurants frequented by Westerners.
Alerts
Alert for South Sudan
Dozens killed in South Sudan clashes - 21 May 2013:
At least 24 people have been killed in clashes between South Sudan's military and rebels led by David Yau Yau in the eastern state of Jonglei. Elsewhere tribal violence between cattle raiders in Upper Nile state has left at least 27 people dead.
South Sudan rebels surrender to government - 27 April 2013:
Around 3,000 fighters from South Sudan have surrendered to government troops and accepted an amnesty, ending a long-standing insurgency in the north of the country. The rebels, who had been operating from neighbouring Sudan, crossed the border on Friday before handing in their weapons.
Five Indian peacekeepers killed in South Sudan - 9 April 2013:
Five Indian peacekeepers have been killed and four others wounded in an ambush by rebels in Jonglei in South Sudan. The peacekeepers, who belonged to the Mechanized Infantry and Mahar regiments, were working for the UN Mission in South Sudan.
Troops killed in clashes with Yau Yau rebels - 21 March 2013:
At least 20 South Sudanese rebels have been killed and dozens more wounded in clashes with Yau Yau rebels in Jonglei state. The heaviest fighting took place near the village of Gurmuk in the restive Pibor Country.
South Sudan's army clashes with rebels groups - 19 March 2013:
More than 60 people have been wounded in clashes between South Sudan's army and rebels in Jonglei state. The International Red Cross (ICRC) said that its medical team performed emergency surgery on at least 40 people in the town of Pibor.
Rebels kill more than 100 people in cattle raid - 11 February 2013:
Heavily armed rebels have killed at least 103 people, including women and children, during a cattle raid in Jonglei state. The state governor said that 17 rebels and 14 South Sudanese soldiers were also killed in the tribal violence, which occurred in Akobo County.
South Sudan army opens fire on protesters - 09 December 2012:
South Sudan's army have shot dead at least 10 protesters in the north-west of the country. The UN claimed that the troops used "excessive force" when breaking up the protests on Saturday and Sunday. The demonstrations started when local government officials said that they planned to relocated from the town of Wau.
Sudan and South Sudan agree peace deal - 27 September 2012:
Sudan and South Sudan are reported to have agreed a deal on border security and oil production. The agreement was made following four days of talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
South Sudan troops killed by Yau Yau rebels - 27 August 2012:
At least 24 South Sudanese rebels have been killed in an ambush by Yau Yau rebels in the restive state of Jonglei. A group of around 200 soldiers were attacked in the remote Pibor area.
Demilitarized zone agreed between Sudan and South Sudan - 05 June 2012:
Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to withdraw troops from the disputed border regions and create a demilitarized zone which will stretch 10km north and south of the border.
Sudan prepares to withdraw from Abyei - 28 May 2012:
Sudan have announced that they will withdraw its troops from the disputed region of Abyei. Both Sudan and South Sudan have claimed the oil rich region since the two countries split in July, 2011.
UN passes resolution threatening sanctions - 03 May 2012:
The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution threatening Sudan and South Sudan with sanctions if they fail to stop the recent violence between the two states. Territorial disputes have escalated in recent week, raising fears of an all-out war.
Sudan declares state of emergency in border districts - 29 April 2012:
Sudan has declared a state of emergency in the border districts of South Kordofan, White Nile and Sennar following weeks of clashes with neighbouring South Sudan.
South Sudan claim that Sudan has declared war - 24 April 2012:
The president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, has claimed that the recent attacks by neighbouring Sudan amount to a declaration of war. Tensions between the two states have been escalating in recent weeks and on Monday UN chief Ban Ki-moon criticised Sudan for bombing oil fields across the border in Unity State.
Sudanese bomb oil fields in Unity State - 27 March 2012:
The Sudanese air force has reportedly bombed oil fields across the border in South Sudan's Unity State. The UN has called for both governments to exercise "maximum restraint" and maintain the non-aggression pact signed in February.
Cattle raid death toll up to 300- 13 March 2012:
Around 300 people are reported to have been killed in a series of assaults by cattle raiders in Upper Nile state. Members of the Murle tribe attacked the Lou Nuer group near the Ethiopian border, stealing thousands of cattle in the raids.
UN Security Council demands an end to hostilities - 07 March 2012:
The UN Security Council has demanded that Sudan and South Sudan end border hostilities and stick to the non-aggression pact the two states signed last month. The council also called for the governments in Khartoum and Juba to allow the UN and other aid agencies access to South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
Sudan and South Sudan agree peace pact - 11 February 2012:
Sudan and South Sudan have agreed a non-aggression pact over the two states territorial disputes. There have been a series of clashes along the shared border since South Sudan gained independence last July.
Gunfight at Unity state peace talks - 03 February 2012:
At least 37 people have been killed after a gunfight erupted at peace talks in the northern Unity state. The meeting was meant to resolve local disputes about stolen cattle in the region.
Cattle raid leaves more than 40 dead in Warrap - 30 January 2012:
At least 40 people have been killed in the state of Warrap after armed gunmen carried out a cattle raid. The government of South Sudan has accused neighbouring Sudan of being behind the attack.
Gunmen kill 51 in troubled Jonglei state - 17 January 2012:
At least 51 people have been killed in further ethnic clashes in Jonglei state. The governor of Jonglei, Kuol Manyany, blamed gunmen from the Murle ethnic group for the violence.
Disaster declared in Jonglei state - 05 January 2012:
A disaster has been declared in the state of Jonglei state after days of violent ethnic clashes. Around 100,000 people are reported to have fled the fighting.
Air raids kill 17 in South Sudan - 29 December 2011:
A series of air raids carried out by Sudanese forces have killed at least 17 people in South Sudan. A spokesman for South Sudan's military claimed that the attack took place in West Bahr al-Ghazi state.
Rebel leader George Athor reportedly killed - 21 December 2011:
The prominent rebel leader George Athor has been killed by government forces in Marobo County, close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Athor was believed to have commanded a rebel force of around 2,000 and was seen as a major threat to stability in South Sudan.
South Sudan orders Sudanese troops to leave Jau - 07 December 2011:
The government of South Sudan has ordered troops from the north to withdraw from the border town of Jau in Unity state. There has been escalating violence around the two countries shared border, and the risk of conflict between the recently separated states in increasing.
Deadly clashes in Jonglei state - 07 December 2011:
At least 41 people are reported to have been killed following clashes between rival ethnic groups in Jonglei state. The violence broke out when members of the Murle ethnic group attacked raided the village of Akot.
Rebel groups attack town in Unity State - 29 October 2011:
At least 75 people have been killed after rebels from the South Sudan Liberation Army attacked the town of Mayom in the northern Unity State. The rebels have warned that they will carry out further attacks in coming days.
Almost 60 killed in tribal clashes - 21 August 2011:
According to the UN at least 58 people have been killed following tribal clashes in the eastern state of Jonglei. Fighting erupted on Thursday when members of the Murle ethnic group attacked Nuer villages, stealing cattle and setting fire to houses. The violence has raised fears for the long term stability of the fledgling country.
Data
South Sudan Data Sheet
Population: 8.2 million
Major Religion/s: : Christianity, Islam
International dialling code: +249
International dialling prefix: 00
Emergency services:
Drives: Right
Voltage: 230V
Climate: Tropical
Other Major Cities: Bor, Yei, Nimule
Borders: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo
Mobile Networks:
For more information visit:
Orange:
Vodafone:
O2:
http://www.o2international.co.uk/
T-Mobile:
Journalists Under Attack
Journalists Under Attack
- 12 Feb 2013 UN welcomes South Sudan's decision to protect journalists
- 09 Jan 2013 Conflict reporting in Sudan and South Sudan border media
- 05 Dec 2012 UN pledges to protect journalists, freedom of expression in South Sudan
- 05 Dec 2012 South Sudan should investigate columnist's murder
1 journalist casualties. - 04 Jul 2012 Jonglei Radio FM robbed
- 07 Feb 2012 South Sudanese journalist assaulted in parliament
Media Safety
Media Safety
- 12 Feb 2013 UN welcomes South Sudan's decision to protect journalists
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has welcomed the government's decision to ... - 09 Jan 2013 Conflict reporting in Sudan and South Sudan border media
By Lisa Clifford In 2012, relations between South Sudan and Sudan were poor – at ... - 05 Dec 2012 UN pledges to protect journalists, freedom of expression in South Sudan
South Sudan has joined Iraq, Nepal, Mexico and Pakistan as part of countries offering ... - 05 Dec 2012 South Sudan should investigate columnist's murder
Authorities in South Sudan should thoroughly investigate the murder of an online journalist, identify ... - 04 Jul 2012 Jonglei Radio FM robbed
A number of men have broken into Jonglei Radio FM in Bor town. The ... - 07 Feb 2012 South Sudanese journalist assaulted in parliament
Press freedom at risk in world's newest nation A South Sudanese journalist covering a session ...