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Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet: South Sudan (2025)

This Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet is focused on South Sudan and the series of conflict- and climate-related issues that face the country. The fact sheet offers a range of recommended actions for the international community to address these issues effectively. South Sudan is one of the least peaceful countries in the world and one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have led to both drought and flooding, impacting river flows and the groundwater availability and water quality for a population highly reliant on agriculture and pastoralism. Decades of violent conflict have also eroded the population’s coping capacities. Weak governance and the lack of infrastructure further undermine the capacity of state and social institutions to adapt to climate change. Beyond the existing tensions between armed groups in South Sudan, the spillover effects of the war in Sudan are exacerbating a complex and persistent humanitarian crisis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)/EDITORS

Kheira Tarif is a Researcher in the SIPRI Climate Change and Risk Programme.
Dr Minoo Koefoed is a Senior Research Fellow in NUPI’s Climate, Peace and Security Risks Project. 
Dr Simone Bunse is a Senior Researcher in the SIPRI Food, Peace and Security Programme.
Katongo Seyuba is a Researcher in the SIPRI Climate Change and Risk Programme.
Dr Thor Olav Iversen is a Senior Researcher in NUPI’s Climate, Peace and Security Risks Project. 
Ingvild Brodtkorb is a Junior Research Fellow at NUPI and works on Africa-Nordic Cooperation in the Research group for Peace, Conflict and Development.
Jules Duhamel is an independent cartographer and geospatial analyst consultant.