South Sudan’s eastern town of Akobo has become a major flashpoint in renewed fighting between government forces and opposition groups. An evacuation order issued by the army has driven large-scale displacement, with an estimated 1,00,000 people crossing into Ethiopia. The crisis has deepened concerns that South Sudan is moving back towards full-scale civil war.
Evacuation Order and Military Control
The army ordered Akobo to be evacuated on 6 March, including foreign aid agencies. It later claimed to have taken control of the town, although ground-level verification remains difficult because communications are limited. Conflicting accounts have emerged over the extent of military control and the situation in the town.
Humanitarian Impact in Jonglei
UNICEF said violence is spreading across Jonglei state and conditions for children are worsening. Many displaced people have moved to safer areas in Jonglei and Upper Nile, while others have crossed into Ethiopia. The agency said patients and staff have left Akobo hospital, which has since been looted and closed.
- About 1,00,000 people have fled across the Ethiopia border.
- Rates of malnutrition among displaced children are high.
- Twenty-eight health and nutrition facilities in Jonglei have been destroyed, looted or shut this year.
- The region is also facing a cholera outbreak.
Political Background and Security Risks
South Sudan became independent in 2011 but soon descended into civil war. A 2018 power-sharing deal between President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar has weakened since early 2025. Clashes in several areas have raised fears of a return to nationwide conflict.
Last Modified: April 29, 2026