A Two-Year Outlook for North Central South Sudan : 2016-2018

With a peace deal in August 2015 and tentative steps towards elite reconciliation under the watchful eyes of the international community, South Sudan looks to be heading back to a state of ‘no peace, no war’ after two and a half years of disastrous civil conflict. With 2.3 million people displaced and 6.2 million in need of urgent food assistance1, an economy in crisis and on the verge of complete collapse, and spreading insecurity in Yambio, Mundri, Wau, and Pibor, Riek Machar’s April 2016 return to Juba may be the only thing holding back the complete collapse of the state. Even so, few believe that his return will solve many of the issues that are currently plaguing the world’s youngest nation.