Ongoing conflict in South Sudan has caused a myriad of problems for the world’s youngest nation.

The potential of South Sudan is enormous. With rich natural resources and agricultural potential, and a young population, this is a country that should be thriving.

But as you read this article, South Sudan is facing another hunger crisis.

Late rains combined with the many consequences of conflict have spawned a deluge of problems for civilians, including spiralling inflation, interrupted trade and a lack of cultivation due to displacement.

These factors have created a perfect storm that could see upwards of 4.6 million people facing extreme hunger. But to understand how conflict is causing displacement and exacerbating food crises in South Sudan, you must look at the history of conflict within the country and how it has impacted the day-to-day lives of communities.

Conflict in South Sudan: a potted history

South Sudan has experienced high levels of armed conflict since the 1950s. Two particularly intense periods culminated in the loss of over 2.5 million lives and disrupted tens of millions of livelihoods.

The first major conflict, spanning 22 years from 1983 to 2005 between the government of the Republic of Sudan and the Sudanese People‘s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M), was largely regarded as a North/South conflict for control over resources and — from the perspective of SPLA/M — for political autonomy, self-determination and secularism. The discovery of oil in the 1980s intensified the conflict. Political negotiations in the early 2000s led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 which was the catalyst for calling a referendum in south Sudan on independence. In 2011, South Sudan proclaimed its independence and became the newest state in the world.

For the complete article, please see Concern Worldwide.

For an analysis of the link between climatic changes and communal conflicts in South Sudan, see the ECC-Factbook.