South Sudan in the grip of ethnic cleansing

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, did not celebrate its sixth anniversary July 9. It was overshadowed by the ongoing civil war and an “unprecedented” food crisis, according to the Huffington Post.

Six million of the fledgling nation’s population of 11 million is considered by the United Nations to be on the brink of starvation.

The Norwegian Refugee Council reports that 2 million people have fled South Sudan, with another 2 million being internally displaced. There is also a cholera outbreak, with more than 10,000 infections and 250 deaths, according to the U.N. According to UNICEF, more than 2 million South Sudanese youth are not in school—the world’s highest rate of children out of school.

UNICEF also reports that more than 17,000 youth have been recruited to serve as soldiers.

“We recognize our shared objective of bringing sustainable and lasting peace, security and stability in our country,” Ambassador Joseph Moum Malak, chargé d’ affaires of the Republic of South Sudan told the U.N. Security Council June 21. “The humanitarian situation in the country continues to be of great concern. The climate change that is also affecting the region and the falling oil prices have greatly affected the economic situation and crippled the government from being able to solely address the crisis.”

The ambassador used strong language to condemn the position being taken by the international community as it relates to the civil war in South Sudan. He insisted that the Transitional Government of National Unity is seeking to bring reconciliation and healing through national dialogue. “The Security Council, U.N. and the international community needs to positively support these efforts, instead of the skepticism and negative messages and threats of sanctions being sent out by some,” the ambassador said.

Cristina Carrion, delegate to the U.N. Security Council from Uruguay, said, “Only a genuine political process will bring peace to South Sudan.”

Kanat Tumysh, delegate from Kazakhstan, said, “Despite some efforts made by the transitional government, only slight progress could be seen.”

Sacha Sergio Llorentty Soliz, the delegate from Bolivia, said, “Greater commitments are needed to support efforts to advance peace.”

International actors such as the World Bank note that the current conflict “has had a significant financial impact on South Sudan with 2015/16 GDP contracting by 6.3 percent.” With oil production disruptions and below average agriculture production, the economy was expected to contract further in FY2016/2017.

According to analysts, South Sudan was born as one of the poorest nations in the world, characterized by high dependence on oil, limited domestic production and a high reliance on imports. The nation has a shortage of skilled human resources in all key sectors of the economy.

South Sudan is roughly the size of France or Texas, with infrastructure issues such as only 70 miles of paved road, according to the U.N.

The World Food Program estimates that 3.3 million people—more than a third of the population —are moderately or severely food insecure. According to the South Sudan Center for Census, 50 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, earning less than $25 per month. Of the adult population, 73 percent cannot read or write. The literacy rate for males is 40 percent and the rate for females 16 percent.

South Sudan has maternal mortality. According to the U.N., a 15-year-old girl there has a greater chance of dying in childbirth than of finishing school.

Some observers have applauded the Republic of South Sudan for its efforts to make socio-economic development one of its priorities.

Briefing the Security Council, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the under-secretary-general for Peacekeeping Operations, cited a lack of real progress toward ending hostilities and resuming dialogue in South Sudan. Emphasizing that South Sudan’s people were desperate for peace, he said the situation in that country was a “man-made tragedy” resulting from deliberate decisions taken by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition and others to pursue armed conflict for political goals.

In 2013, the sitting vice president took up arms against the sitting president, which according to NPR could bring the nation on the verge of a genocide because the fighting is along ethnic lines.