Thousands of civilians are fleeing fresh violence in South Sudan, as intensified fighting in Jonglei state raises fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
Heavy clashes between government forces and fighters loyal to First Vice-President Riek Machar have forced families to abandon their homes and seek safety in remote areas. The army says it has stepped up operations to regain control of territory, while opposition forces continue to expand their presence.
Among those displaced is Nyawan Koang, who walked for two days with her five children to reach the village of Duk after fleeing Ayod. Caught between rival forces, she described the violence as relentless. “Their bullets kill us,” she said, recalling how an air strike destroyed her home and killed her parents.
The fighting is part of a deepening power struggle between President Salva Kiir and Machar, whose forces — the SPLA-IO — have seized several towns and are advancing across Jonglei. Entire communities have been burned, and civilians have been killed indiscriminately as both sides battle for control.
More than 280,000 people have been displaced in recent weeks, with thousands seeking refuge in places like Duk, where humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide food, medicine and basic support.
The United Nations has warned that the surge in violence could push the country back into a devastating civil war. A recent report documented at least 189 civilian deaths in January alone, amid widespread attacks, including aerial bombardments, executions and sexual violence.
Although authorities insist the army is acting responsibly, the government has acknowledged that some abuses have occurred. In one incident, more than 20 civilians were executed in Ayod, with soldiers now facing possible court martial.
The renewed conflict threatens to unravel a fragile 2018 peace deal that ended a five-year war which killed nearly 400,000 people. Tensions have been escalating following the detention of Machar, accused by the government of plotting a coup — a charge his supporters reject as politically motivated.
For civilians, the consequences are devastating. Families have been torn apart, homes destroyed, and entire communities uprooted. Many survivors say both sides are responsible for the suffering.
The humanitarian situation is worsening rapidly. According to the World Food Programme, millions are facing hunger, while ongoing violence, poor infrastructure and seasonal floods continue to limit access to aid.
After more than a decade of instability since independence in 2011, many South Sudanese fear the country is once again on the brink.
“We have suffered enough,” one displaced resident said. “People just want peace.”
