South Sudan
South Sudan, officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked nation in East Africa, bordered by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Its landscape is varied, encompassing plains, plateaus, dry and tropical savannahs, inland floodplains, and forested mountains. The country’s defining physical feature is the Nile River system, which flows south to north through its center, dominated by the vast Sudd swamp. With an estimated population of just over 12.7 million in 2024, Juba serves as the capital and largest city. The population is predominantly Nilotic, comprising diverse ethnic and linguistic groups such as the Dinka, Nuer, Azande, and Bari. It is one of the world’s youngest nations demographically, with roughly half its people under 18. Most inhabitants practice Christianity or traditional indigenous faiths, with a sizeable Muslim minority. South Sudan is a member of the United Nations, African Union, East African Community, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, yet remains one of the least developed countries globally, ranking lowest on the Human Development Index and historically producing the world’s lowest nominal GDP per capita.
The region was part of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan from 1899 until independence in 1956. Following the First Sudanese Civil War, the Southern Sudan Autonomous Region existed from 1972 to 1983. The Second Sudanese Civil War ended in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, restoring southern autonomy later that year. South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011 after a referendum with 98.8% support, making it the most recent widely recognized sovereign state. From 2013 to 2018, the country endured a civil war marked by severe human rights abuses, including forced displacement, ethnic massacres, and killings of journalists. It has since been governed by a coalition of former warring leaders, Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar, though ongoing ethnic violence persists.
- Capital
- Juba
- Independence
- 9 July 2011
- Official Name
- Republic of South Sudan
- Region
- East Africa
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Sudan became the first state in the world to recognise South Sudan as a sovereign state and said it intended to open an embassy in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. On the occasion of South Sudan's independence, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir spoke to the delegation present for independence celebrations, saying that he 'congratulate[s] our brothers and sisters in South Sudan on the occasion of the declaration of their new state and the creation of the State of South Sudan in this dear part of our homeland.' A brief war erupted in 2012 over the border town of Heglig, home to the Heglig oilfields. Following a six-month conflict, which saw South Sudan briefly enter the area before being pushed back by Sudan, an agreement over the border and mineral sharing was signed. During the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), South Sudan adopted a mediatory role between the RSF and the SAF. In February 2025, tensions escalated when the RSF allied with the SPLM–N, a rebel group near the South Sudanese border. In December 2025, the RSF, SAF, and South Sudan People's Defence Forces signed a tripartite agreement to prevent the conflict from damaging the Heglig oil fields. The South Sudan People's Defence Forces entered the area to maintain security as a neutral party.
Reader's Guide
South Sudan's significance lies in its emergence as the world's newest sovereign state, achieved after decades of civil war. The country's history is marked by disputes with Sudan over the Abyei region, which is administered by Sudan but also claimed by South Sudan. Abyei was supposed to have a referendum to determine which country it would be part of, but has been delayed pending discussion of disputes. Kafia Kingi is a South Sudan sovereign territory according to the authoritative 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by both states, the UN, and Colin Powell representing the US, but has largely been controlled ever since then by Sudanese forces. The binding 2005 agreement specifies use of the 1 January 1956 boundary. Kafia Kingi was not transferred to Darfur in the north until 1960. The town of Heglig is internationally recognised as Sudanese territory but is also claimed by South Sudan. South Sudan ceased producing oil on a complaint that Sudan was 'stealing' its oil en route via pipeline to Port Sudan. Sudan responded, saying that it was a 'fee' for using the pipeline that was owned by Sudan. In September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan agreed a deal on border security and oil production to permit oil exports from South Sudan through Sudan to continue. In May 2013, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir threatened again to block oil transits via Sudan if South Sudan continued to support insurgents in South Kordofan and Darfur. The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir made his first visit to the south on 12 April 2013 since independence.
Did You Know?
- Sudan became the first country in the world to recognize the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
- The international border between South Sudan and Sudan is 2,158 km long.
- A brief war erupted in 2012 over the border town of Heglig, home to the Heglig oilfields.
- In December 2025, the RSF, SAF, and South Sudan People's Defence Forces signed a tripartite agreement to protect the Heglig oil fields.
- Kafia Kingi is South Sudanese territory per the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement but has been controlled by Sudanese forces since then.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Sudan?
South Sudan is a landlocked East African nation that became the most recently and widely recognized sovereign state as of 2026, having separated from Sudan in 2011.
How did South Sudan gain independence?
A 2011 referendum saw roughly 98.8% of voters back separation from Sudan, leading to formal independence on 9 July 2011.
What is South Sudan's capital and population?
Juba serves as the capital city, and the country was home to just over 12.7 million people as of 2024.
Which ethnic groups make up South Sudan?
The Dinka are the largest ethnic group, with the Nuer, Azande, and Bari following as the next most prominent communities.
How does South Sudan rank on development metrics?
The country sits at the very bottom of the Human Development Index, marking it as one of the least developed nations on Earth.
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