2019 Edition

Background

British explorer Samuel BAKER established the colony of Equatoria in 1870, in the name of the Ottoman Khedive of Egypt who claimed the territory. Headquartered in Gondokoro (near modern day Juba), Equatoria in theory composed most of what is now South Sudan. After being cut off from colonial administration during the Mahdist War from 1885-1898, Equatoria was made a state under the Anglo-Egyptian condominium in 1899. It was largely left to itself over the following decades, but Christian missionaries converted much of the population and facilitated the spread of English, rather than Arabic. Equatoria was ruled by British colonial administrators separately from what is now Sudan until the two colonies were combined at the 1947 Juba Conference, as part of British plans to prepare the region for independence. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, it was with the understanding that the southerners would be able to participate fully in the political system. When the Arab Khartoum government reneged on its promises, a mutiny began that led to two prolonged periods of conflict (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which perhaps 2.5 million people died - mostly civilians - due to starvation and drought. Ongoing peace talks finally resulted in a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January 2005. As part of this agreement, the south was granted a six-year period of autonomy to be followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in January 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Since independence on 9 July 2011, South Sudan has struggled with good governance and nation building and has attempted to control opposition forces operating in its territory. Economic conditions have deteriorated since January 2012 when the government decided to shut down oil production following bilateral disagreements with Sudan. In December 2013, conflict between government and opposition forces killed tens of thousands and led to a dire humanitarian crisis with millions of South Sudanese displaced and food insecure. The warring parties signed a peace agreement in August 2015 that created a transitional government of national unity in April 2016. However, in July 2016, fighting broke out in Juba between the two principal signatories, plunging the country back into conflict. A "revitalized" peace agreement was signed in September 2018 ending the fighting. Under the agreement, the government and various rebel groups agreed that the sides would form a unified national army and create a transitional government by May 2019. The agreement was extended until November 2019 and then subsequently to February 2020. However, implementation has been stalled, in part by a failure to agree on the country's internal political boundaries.

Area

Total

644,329 sq km

Area Comparative

more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

Highest Point

Kinyeti 3,187 m

Lowest Point

White Nile 381 m

Environment Current Issues

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife conservation and loss of biodiversity; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought

Geographic Coordinates

8 00 N, 30 00 E

Geography Note

landlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile, its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands

Irrigated Land

1,000 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

Border Countries

Central African Republic 1055 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 714 km, Ethiopia 1299 km, Kenya 317 km, Sudan 2158 km, Uganda 475 km

Total

6,018 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

100%

Agricultural Land Arable Land

0%

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0%

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

100%

Forest

0%

Other

0%

Location

East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

none (landlocked)

Natural Resources

hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver

Population Distribution

clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile

Terrain

plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country

Age Structure

0 14 Years

42.3% (male 2,194,952 /female 2,121,990)

15 24 Years

20.94% (male 1,113,008 /female 1,023,954)

25 54 Years

30.45% (male 1,579,519 /female 1,528,165)

55 64 Years

3.82% (male 215,247 /female 174,078)

65 Years And Over

2.49% (male 145,812 /female 107,856) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

36.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

29.1% (2010)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

4% (2010)

Current Health Expenditure

2.5% (2015)

Death Rate

19.3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

South Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. Most of the population lives off of farming, while smaller numbers rely on animal husbandry; more than 80% of the populace lives in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate is among the world’s highest for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of health care workers, facilities, and supplies; poor roads and a lack of transport; and cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking obstetric care. Most women marry and start having children early, giving birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants, who are unable to handle complications.Educational attainment is extremely poor due to the lack of schools, qualified teachers, and materials. Less than a third of the population is literate (the rate is even lower among women), and half live below the poverty line. Teachers and students are also struggling with the switch from Arabic to English as the language of instruction. Many adults missed out on schooling because of warfare and displacement.Almost 2 million South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the current conflict began in December 2013. Another 1.96 million South Sudanese are internally displaced as of August 2017. Despite South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure and social services, more than 240,000 people have fled to South Sudan to escape fighting in Sudan.

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

6.4 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

15.7 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

83.7 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

77.3 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

56.9% of population

Improved Total

58.7% of population

Improved Urban

66.7% of population

Unimproved Rural

43.1% of population

Unimproved Total

41.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

33.3% of population

Education Expenditures

1% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic Groups

Dinka (Jieng) 35.8%, Nuer (Naath) 15.6%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

2.5% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

9,900 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

190,000 (2018 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

83.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

97.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

90.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), regional languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

16% (2009)

Male

40%

Total Population

27%

Major Infectious Diseases

Animal Contact Diseases

rabies (2016)

Degree Of Risk

very high (2016)

Food Or Waterborne Diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever (2016)

Respiratory Diseases

meningococcal meningitis (2016)

Vectorborne Diseases

malaria, dengue fever, trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness) (2016)

Water Contact Diseases

schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

386,000 JUBA (capital) (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

1,150 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

17.8 years

Male

18.4 years

Total

18.1 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

South Sudanese

Noun

South Sudanese (singular and plural)

Net Migration Rate

-29.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

6.6% (2014)

Population

10,204,581 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-1.16% (2018 est.)

Religions

animist, Christian, Muslim

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

4.5% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

6.7% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

16.4% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

95.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

93.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

83.6% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.09 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

1.24 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

1.35 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total Population

1.06 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

5.34 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

37.4% (2017 est.)

Male

39.5%

Total

38.6%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

4.1% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

19.9% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

10 states; Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria; note - in 2015, the creation of 28 new states was announced and in 2017 four additional, but these 32 states have not yet been vetted by the US Board on Geographic Names

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

04 51 N, 31 37 E

Name

Juba

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

Citizenship By Birth

no

Citizenship By Descent Only

at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan

Dual Citizenship Recognized

yes

Residency Requirement For Naturalization

10 years

Constitution

Amendments

proposed by the National Legislature or by the president of the republic; passage requires submission of the proposal to the Legislature at least one month prior to consideration, approval by at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature, and assent of the president; amended 2013, 2015, 2018 (2018)

History

previous 2005 (preindependence); latest signed 7 July 2011, effective 9 July 2011 (Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011)

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Republic of South Sudan

Conventional Short Form

South Sudan

Etymology

self-descriptive name from the country's former position within Sudan prior to independence; the name "Sudan" derives from the Arabic "bilad-as-sudan" meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Thomas HUSHEK (since 5 June 2018)

Embassy

Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba

Telephone

[211] 912-105-188

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

Chancery

1015 31st Street NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20007

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Philip Jada NATANA (since 17 September 2018)

Fax

[1] (202) 293-7941

Telephone

[1] (202) 293-7940

Executive Branch

Cabinet

National Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly

Chief Of State

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); First Vice President Taban Deng GAI (since 26 July 2016); Second Vice President James Wani IGGA (since 26 April 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

Election Results

Salva KIIR Mayardit elected president; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit (SPLM) 93%, Lam AKOL (SPLM-DC) 7%

Elections Appointments

president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11-15 April 2010 (next election scheduled for 2015 postponed to 2018 and again to 2021)

Head Of Government

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); First Vice President Taban Deng GAI (since 26 July 2016); Second Vice President James Wani IGGA (since 26 April 2016)

Flag Description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side contains a gold, five-pointed star; black represents the people of South Sudan, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green the verdant land, and blue the waters of the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the states making up South Sudan

Government Type

presidential republic

Independence

9 July 2011 (from Sudan)

International Organization Participation

AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

Supreme Court of South Sudan (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices, 9 other justices and normally organized into panels of 3 justices, except when sitting as a Constitutional panel of all 9 justices chaired by the chief justice)

Judge Selection And Term Of Office

justices appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Council, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; justice tenure set by the National Legislature

Subordinate Courts

national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals

Legislative Branch

Description

bicameral National Legislature consists of: Council of States, established by presidential decree in August 2011 (50 seats; 20 former members of the Council of States and 30 appointed representatives) Transitional National Legislative Assembly, established on 4 August 2016, in accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (400 seats; 170 members elected in April 2010, 96 members of the former National Assembly, 66 members appointed after independence, and 68 members added as a result of the 2016 Agreement); the TNLA will be expanded to 550 members after the transitional government forms

Election Results

Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 20, unknown 30; composition - men 44, women 6, percent of women 12% National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 251, DCP 10, independent 6, unknown 133; composition - men 291, women 109, percent of women 27.3%; note - total National Legislature percent of women 25.6%

Elections

Council of States - established and members appointed 1 August 2011 National Legislative Assembly - last held 11-15 April 2010 but did not take office until July 2011; current parliamentary term extended until 2021)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers

Name

South Sudan Oyee! (Hooray!)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 9 July (2011)

National Symbol S

African fish eagle; national colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white

Political Parties And Leaders

Democratic Change or DC [Onyoti Adigo NYIKWEC] (formerly Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Movement or SPLM-DC) Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR Mayardit] Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO [Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

sorghum, maize, rice, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, mangoes, papayas, bananas, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, cotton, sesame seeds, cassava (manioc, tapioca), beans, peanuts; cattle, sheep

Budget

Expenditures

298.6 million (FY2017/18 est.)

Revenues

259.6 million (FY2017/18 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-1.3% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

December 2016

9.72%

December 2017

13.38%

Current Account Balance

2016

$39 million

2017

-$154 million

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2010

46

Economy Overview

Industry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan. Continued fighting within the new nation is disrupting what remains of the economy. The vast majority of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance. Property rights are insecure and price signals are weak, because markets are not well-organized.South Sudan has little infrastructure – about 10,000 kilometers of roads, but just 2% of them paved. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators, and indoor plumbing and potable water are scarce, so less than 2% of the population has access to electricity. About 90% of consumed goods, capital, and services are imported from neighboring countries – mainly Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Chinese investment plays a growing role in the infrastructure and energy sectors.Nevertheless, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa, with fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. At independence in 2011, South Sudan produced nearly three-fourths of former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The Government of South Sudan relies on oil for the vast majority of its budget revenues, although oil production has fallen sharply since independence. South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with 98% of the government’s annual operating budget and 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) derived from oil. Oil is exported through a pipeline that runs to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The economy of South Sudan will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the existing oil infrastructure. The outbreak of conflict in December 2013, combined with falling crude oil production and prices, meant that GDP fell significantly between 2014 and 2017. Since the second half of 2017 oil production has risen, and is currently about 130,000 barrels per day.Poverty and food insecurity has risen due to displacement of people caused by the conflict. With famine spreading, 66% of the population in South Sudan is living on less than about $2 a day, up from 50.6% in 2009, according to the World Bank. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fishing providing the livelihood for a majority of the households. Much of rural sector activity is focused on low-input, low-output subsistence agriculture.South Sudan is burdened by considerable debt because of increased military spending and high levels of government corruption. Economic mismanagement is prevalent. Civil servants, including police and the military, are not paid on time, creating incentives to engage in looting and banditry. South Sudan has received more than $11 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the US, the UK, and the EU. Inflation peaked at over 800% per year in October 2016 but dropped to 118% in 2017. The government has funded its expenditures by borrowing from the central bank and foreign sources, using forward sales of oil as collateral. The central bank’s decision to adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime in December 2015 triggered a 97% depreciation of the currency and spawned a growing black market.Long-term challenges include rooting out public sector corruption, improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and unemployment, improving fiscal transparency - particularly in regard to oil revenues, taming inflation, improving government revenues, and creating a rules-based business environment.

Exchange Rates

2013

0.7634

2014

0.885

2015

0.9214

2016

0.903

2017

0.885

Currency

South Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$1.13 billion

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

64.9% (2011 est.)

Government Consumption

17.1% (2011 est.)

Household Consumption

34.9% (2011 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-27.2% (2011 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

10.4% (2011 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$3.06 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$2,100

2016

$1,700

2017

$1,600

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$24.52 billion

2016

$21.1 billion

2017

$20.01 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

-0.2%

2016

-13.9%

2017

-5.2%

Gross National Saving

2015

7.4% of GDP

2016

18.7% of GDP

2017

3.6% of GDP

Imports

2016

$3.795 billion

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

379.8%

2017

187.9%

Population Below Poverty Line

66% (2015 est.)

Public Debt

2016

86.6% of GDP

2017

62.7% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$73 million

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$494.7 million

31 December 2017

$550.5 million

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$409.1 million

31 December 2017

$491.9 million

Taxes And Other Revenues

8.5% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

1.224 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

147,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

150,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

3.75 billion bbl (1 January 2017 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification Rural Areas

5.9% (2016)

Electrification Total Population

8.9% (2016)

Electrification Urban Areas

22% (2016)

Population Without Electricity

12 million (2017)

Electricity Consumption

391.8 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

80,400 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

412.8 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

63.71 billion cu m (1 January 2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

8,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

7,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

Total

150

Broadcast Media

a single TV channel and a radio station are controlled by the government; several community and commercial FM stations are operational, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts are available (2019)

Internet Country Code

.ss

Telephone System

Domestic

fixed-line 0 total subscriptions, mobile-cellular 12 per 100 persons (2018)

General Assessment

one of the least developed telecommunications and Internet systems in the world; domestic mobile providers are waiting for a political settlement and the return of social stability in order to expand their networks; the few carriers in the market have reduced the areas in which they offer service, not expanded them; the government shut down the largest cellphone carrier, Vivacell, in March 2018, stranding 1.4 million customers over a disputed service fee arrangement (2018)

International

country code - 211 (2017)

Telephones Fixed Lines

0

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

12 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

1,511,529

Airports

85 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

2 (2013)

2 438 To 3 047 M

1 (2013)

Total

3 (2013)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

12 (2013)

2 438 To 3 047 M

1 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

35 (2013)

Total

82 (2013)

Under 914 M

34 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

Z8 (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

National Air Transport System

0 mt-km

Railways

248 km (2018)

Roadways

7,000 km (2012)

Waterways

see entry for Sudan

Military And Security Forces

South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF): Ground Force, Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Presidential Guard (2019)

Military Expenditures

2014

8.62% of GDP

2015

10.56% of GDP

2016

4.6% of GDP

2017

2.35% of GDP

2018

1.33% of GDP

Military Note

under the September 2018 peace agreement, all armed groups in South Sudan were to assemble at designated sites where fighters could be either disarmed and demobilized, or integrated into unified military and police forces; the unified forces were then to be retrained and deployed prior to the formation of a national unity government; all fighters were ordered to these sites in July 2019, but as of December 2019 this process had not been completed the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has operated in the country since 2011 with the objectives of consolidating peace and security and helping establish conditions for the successful economic and political development of South Sudan; UNMISS had more than 19,000 personnel deployed in the country as of July 2019 United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; UNISFA's mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; UNISFA had about 4,400 personnel deployed as of July 2019 (2019)

Military Service Age And Obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service; the Government of South Sudan signed agreements in March 2012 and August 2015 that included the demobilization of all child soldiers within the armed forces and opposition, but the recruitment of child soldiers by the warring parties continues; as of the end of 2018, UNICEF estimated that more than 19,000 child soldiers had been used in the country's civil war since it began in December 2013 (2018)

Disputes International

South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment, final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan; periodic violent skirmishes with South Sudanese residents over water and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic; the boundary that separates Kenya and South Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

Idps

1.47 million (alleged coup attempt and ethnic conflict beginning in December 2013; information is lacking on those displaced in earlier years by: fighting in Abyei between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in May 2011; clashes between the SPLA and dissident militia groups in South Sudan; inter-ethnic conflicts over resources and cattle; attacks from the Lord's Resistance Army; floods and drought) (2019)

Refugees Country Of Origin

274,916 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 16,323 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2019)

Trafficking In Persons

Current Situation

South Sudan is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; South Sudanese women and girls, particularly those who are internally displaced, orphaned, refugees, or from rural areas, are vulnerable to forced labor and sexual exploitation, often in urban centers; children may be victims of forced labor in construction, market vending, shoe shining, car washing, rock breaking, brick making, delivery cart pulling, and begging; girls are also forced into marriages and subsequently subjected to sexual slavery or domestic servitude; women and girls migrate willingly from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Sudan with the promise of legitimate jobs and are forced into the sex trade; inter-ethnic abductions and abductions by criminal groups continue, with abductees subsequently forced into domestic servitude, herding, or sex trafficking; in 2014, the recruitment and use of child soldiers increased significantly within government security forces and was also prevalent among opposition forces

Tier Rating

Tier 3 – South Sudan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; despite the government’s formal recommitment to an action plan to eliminate the recruitment and use of child soldiers by 2016, the practice expanded during 2014, and the government did not hold any officers criminally responsible; government officials reportedly are complicit in trafficking offenses but these activities continue to go uninvestigated; authorities reportedly identified five trafficking victims but did not transfer them to care facilities; law enforcement continued to arrest and imprison individuals for prostitution, including trafficking victims; no known steps were taken to address the exploitation of South Sudanese nationals working abroad or foreign workers in South Sudan (2015)