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As 2.5 million refugees remain on their heels from South Sudan, history has marked the country’s crisis as one of the most critical in the history of the African continent. For most of its seven-year existence, it has been marred by civil strife that threatens to completely tear the country apart. But it is the power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Macher, observed since 2013, that remains at the crux of the crisis. Troops loyal to the respective sides from have committed mass atrocities leading to the loss of tens of thousands of lives and displaced many civilians from their families and livelihoods.
Pointing to the history of similar crises like this, it might not register as a surprise that this situation has proven particularly difficult to alleviate. As members of the international system reconcile with the imbibed principles of international relations, nationalistic pursuits and their national identities, the South Sudan refugee crisis becomes much more complicated.
The truth is, international actors are not as compelled to confront such crises until it squares up to them and threatens their future.
The United States was at the forefront of the country’s push for independence and has since maintained a level of support, despite the country’s troubles. The U.S. still funnels a great amount of humanitarian funding to the nation but, following the numerous failed attempts at a peaceful resolution, the great power is ready to reassess their assistance methods (O’Grady, 2018).
The U.K. government has also promoted efforts towards improved peace and security as they fall just below the United States in their commitment of humanitarian funds (The Guardian, 2017). But the United States has recently taken more surefooted steps into curbing the insecurities, as seen with economic sanctions on particular government officials and the enforcement of an arms embargo (O’Grady,2018).
But with a death toll reaching more than 380,000, millions of refugees across borders and rising food insecurities, there is a greater need now more than ever, to pursue greater actions.
This issue is not considered as great a priority as other refugee crises i.e. Syrian refugee crisis that are tragically currently occurring. Most global powers are slow to take fruitful action on international conflicts until they consider it as encroaching on their interests, as seen with the surge of Syrian refugees across European and North American borders. But with the South Sudan refugee crisis, most are forced to flee into the neighboring Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Because of this, the issue is less represented in global media.
We should not have to wait till the global media registers true carnage in South Sudan before urgent action is taken. The international system needs to enforce important social, political and economic reforms; call on proper implementation of peace agreements and prioritize the preservation of innocent lives. The people of South Sudan are calling on the world to help and it is our responsibility to do our utmost best.
References
O'Grady, S. (2018). Trump is reassessing aid to South Sudan. Its government says cuts would be a disaster. Washington Post.
The Guardian (2017). UK government must step up its support for South Sudan.