Crisis Overview
On 15 December 2013, violent clashes erupted in Juba between Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers from rival political and ethnic groups. Subsequently President Salva Kiir accused Riek Machar, the former Vice-President who was removed from office in July 2013, of an attempted coup, an accusation Machar has repeatedly denied. The violence quickly spread to other locations in late December 2013, with heavy fighting between Government and opposition forces in Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states.
While rooted in a wider political power struggle within the governing party, the SPLM, the conflict quickly escalated among ethnic groups. Forces from different tribes, with a history of conflict predating the current crisis, engaged in the violence.
Mass extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, widespread destruction of property and the use of children in the conflict have been reported since the outbreak of fighting in mid-December. There are also claims that violations of international humanitarian law have taken place.
Despite a Cessation of Hostilities agreement, which came into effect on 24 January 2014, violence and fighting are continuing, particularly in Jonglei, Lakes and Unity states, with conflict patterns changing on a daily basis.