People flee South Sudan amid food shortage, ongoing conflict

The ongoing conflict in South Sudan and the resulting food insecurity is forcing people to flee for Sudan, the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday. South Sudan’s crisis continues despite an ongoing peace agreement between the warring factions.

This instability has resulted in some 38,000 people leaving for parts of Sudan since the end of January, and UN officials believe the situation could worsen.

“Food insecurity now affects areas that were considered relatively stable, showing the cumulative impact of conflict, the economic crisis, and climate shocks,” the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization noted in a written statement.

In a predominantly subsistence farming economy, the war has had a direct impact on people’s ability to plant and care for their crops. Food prices in the country are at a record high, and increased fighting could jeopardize the upcoming agricultural season.

“No farmer in the world will continue to farm and expend effort if they’re not sure they’re going to be around at harvest time,” said J. Peter Pham, director of Atlantic Council’s Africa Program. “That’s what happened in the conflict. People are displaced, and those who aren’t, don’t have the security to farm.”

South Sudan fell into chaos in late 2013 when a civil war broke out between supporters of President Salve Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar. The conflict has left tens of thousands dead and displaced more than 2 million people.

In August, the two sides signed a Compromise Peace Agreement that included the creation of a transitional unity government until the country can hold new elections. But both sides repeatedly violated the deal and are only beginning to take the necessary steps to establish the unity government. Earlier this week, the first batch of opposition forces arrived in Juba, the country’s capital. Machar said he would not return to Juba unless appropriate security measures are made.

“I echo what the parties themselves said, that there is no remaining difficulties in the return of the first vice president designate and the formation of the new transitional government of national unity,” Fesus Mogae, head of South Sudan’s Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, told the Sudan Tribune.

The arrival of the opposition forces draws South Sudan one step closer to establishing its unity government. But even that is not an assurance of peace, Pham said.

“A unity government only works if there’s good will, and it’s an unelected body that’s supposed to be a transition into an election,” he said. “But that presupposes the people want an election.”