South Sudan is a failed state

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South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, officially gained independence from Sudan in July 2011. However, what was initially seen as a triumph of self-determination has quickly transformed into a tragic saga of political instability, civil war, and state collapse. The country, rich in oil resources and possessing immense potential, has instead become a textbook example of a failed state. Several key factors contribute to this failure, including prolonged conflict, ethnic divisions, poor governance, economic instability, and the absence of effective institutions. Understanding why South Sudan is a failed state requires an examination of its historical context, political landscape, and the challenges that have hindered its development.

1. Historical and Political Context​

South Sudan's independence in 2011 followed decades of civil war against Sudan, which left deep scars on the new nation. The First and Second Sudanese Civil Wars (1955–1972 and 1983–2005) were characterized by brutal violence, displacement, and massive loss of life. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 ended the second civil war, establishing a semi-autonomous government for South Sudan within Sudan. However, tensions remained high between the northern and southern regions, primarily over issues of oil, religion, and ethnicity.
When South Sudan became an independent state, hopes were high for a peaceful and prosperous future. However, the country’s foundation was fragile, as it was built on unresolved political disputes, underdeveloped institutions, and the legacy of decades of war. Rather than fostering national unity, the independence of South Sudan merely highlighted the underlying challenges of governance and state-building in a country where rival ethnic groups and political elites had long used violence to settle disputes.

2. The Breakdown of Civil Order: Civil War and Ethnic Conflict​

The most immediate and glaring sign of South Sudan's status as a failed state is the civil war that erupted in December 2013, less than three years after independence. The war began as a political rivalry between President Salva Kiir, a member of the Dinka ethnic group, and former Vice President Riek Machar, a Nuer. What initially seemed like a power struggle quickly escalated into a large-scale ethnic conflict, with atrocities committed by both sides. The violence spread rapidly across the country, leading to widespread displacement, massive loss of life, and a humanitarian crisis.
This conflict is emblematic of South Sudan’s fractured political and social landscape. Rather than a united nation, South Sudan is composed of various ethnic groups that have historically been pitted against each other. The Dinka and Nuer, who are the two largest ethnic groups, have been at the center of the violence, with both groups recruiting fighters and perpetrating violence against civilians. The conflict has exacerbated ethnic divisions, further destabilizing the country.
The civil war has displaced millions of South Sudanese citizens, with over 4 million people forced to flee their homes, creating one of the largest refugee crises in Africa. The death toll from the conflict is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, and the human cost is immeasurable. While a peace agreement was signed in 2015 and another in 2018, the peace process has been slow, fragile, and repeatedly violated, with fighting continuing sporadically and distrust between the main political factions remaining high.

3. Governance and Corruption​

One of the central reasons South Sudan has failed to establish itself as a functional state is the lack of effective governance. The political structure of the country is deeply flawed, and the leadership has been characterized by corruption, mismanagement, and an inability to deliver basic services to the population. President Salva Kiir’s government has been accused of monopolizing power, curbing political opposition, and using state resources to enrich elites rather than serving the people.
South Sudan’s government lacks transparency, accountability, and the ability to enforce the rule of law. Political institutions, such as the judiciary, legislature, and police, are weak and often unable to function independently of the executive branch. Corruption is rampant, with vast sums of money meant for development and public welfare funneled into the pockets of political elites, while the country’s citizens suffer from widespread poverty.
The lack of governance extends to the inability to provide basic infrastructure and services, including education, healthcare, and transportation. The country’s fragile economy, heavily dependent on oil revenues, has further exacerbated this issue. Oil accounts for nearly 50% of the government’s revenue, but mismanagement, corruption, and the civil war have led to a dramatic decline in production and revenue. The collapse of oil prices in recent years has worsened the situation, leaving the government unable to fund essential services.

4. Economic Instability​

South Sudan’s economy is in a state of disarray, characterized by hyperinflation, food insecurity, and a lack of diversification. The country’s economy is overwhelmingly dependent on oil exports, which makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations. The civil war has also devastated the infrastructure needed for oil production, further diminishing the country’s ability to generate revenue.
The war has disrupted agriculture, the main livelihood for much of the population, leading to widespread food insecurity. The country faces chronic shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials, making life incredibly difficult for ordinary South Sudanese citizens. Poverty rates are sky-high, with over 80% of the population living below the poverty line. The lack of economic opportunity, combined with high levels of unemployment, has contributed to the country’s instability.

5. Absence of State Institutions and Rule of Law​

Another crucial factor in South Sudan’s failure is the lack of strong state institutions. State-building in the country has been hampered by the absence of basic structures needed for governance, including a professional military, effective law enforcement, and a functioning judiciary. The state has been unable to establish control over large swaths of its territory, with armed militias and rebel groups operating with impunity.
The rule of law is practically nonexistent in many parts of the country. Human rights abuses, including forced displacement, sexual violence, and the targeting of civilians, are widespread. The absence of an independent judiciary means that perpetrators of these crimes are rarely brought to justice, leading to a culture of impunity.

6. Humanitarian Crisis and International Involvement​

The humanitarian situation in South Sudan is dire. Millions of people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, including food, water, shelter, and medical care. The United Nations has described the situation as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Despite international efforts to provide aid, the ongoing conflict and insecurity make it difficult for aid organizations to reach those in need.
International actors, including the African Union, the United Nations, and various foreign governments, have attempted to mediate peace talks and provide humanitarian aid. However, these efforts have been insufficient to bring lasting peace or address the underlying issues that fuel the conflict. The failure of peace negotiations and the lack of a credible international intervention force illustrate the limits of external influence in resolving the crisis.

Conclusion​

South Sudan’s status as a failed state is the result of a complex interplay of factors, including ethnic divisions, poor governance, corruption, economic mismanagement, and the absence of functioning state institutions. The country’s descent into civil war, its inability to establish effective governance, and the failure to provide for its citizens have led to the collapse of what was once seen as a promising new nation. Until South Sudan can overcome these challenges and establish a functioning government that prioritizes the welfare of its people, the country will remain in a state of turmoil, with little hope for a stable future. The tragic case of South Sudan underscores the difficulty of building a nation from the ground up, especially when the foundations are as fractured as those that characterized its formation.
 
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Lobster Cult High Priest said:
Not as much of a failed state as Canada
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You could legit argue this, because Canada had a great starting point to build something good but imported the 3rd world there and focused on fucking up actual canadians. While South Sudan was dealt one of the poorest hands of all time when it comes to nation building, game really was rigged from the start. Sudan still is one of the many examples of multi-cultural states working like a dream with their classic duo of muslims and christians living together in harmony with absolutely zero problems or genocides.
 
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Ughubughughughughughghlug said:
the country’s foundation was fragile, as it was built on unresolved political disputes, underdeveloped institutions, and the legacy of decades of war.
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The official ShitLib answer for why Africa is such a disaster is that muh heckin' Colonialism (gone for like 70 years now) drew nation boundaries that put different ethnic flavours in the same country, and while flooding Western nations with radically incompatible multicult is our greatest strength, forcing slightly distance tribal cousins to live near each other in Africa can only result in nonstop machete slaughter.

The same logic is employed in diverse cities like Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago, where schools sit at 25-30% capacity but can't be closed/merged because kids from different street gangs would see each other and open fire immediately.

During the first decade of South Sudan's existence, every international institution you've heard of spent billions in aid and created dozens of districts that gave ever-smaller ethnic divisions their own territories, hoping it would bring peace, but there was no tribe small enough not to devolve into violence.
 
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JohnnyG said:
The official ShitLib answer for why Africa is such a disaster is that muh heckin' Colonialism (gone for like 70 years now) drew nation boundaries that put different ethnic flavours in the same country, and while flooding Western nations with radically incompatible multicult is our greatest strength, forcing slightly distance tribal cousins to live near each other in Africa can only result in nonstop machete slaughter.

The same logic is employed in diverse cities like Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago, where schools sit at 25-30% capacity but can't be closed/merged because kids from different street gangs would see each other and open fire immediately.

During the first decade of South Sudan's existence, every international institution you've heard of spent billions in aid and created dozens of districts that gave ever-smaller ethnic divisions their own territories, hoping it would bring peace, but there was no tribe small enough not to devolve into violence.
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The concept of a "failed state" is often used to describe countries that have collapsed in terms of governance, infrastructure, and the ability to provide basic services to their citizens. While South Sudan represents one of the most extreme examples of a failed state, it is essential to understand that the idea of failure in a state is not confined only to international borders. Some urban centers within developed nations, such as Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago, exhibit characteristics that make them appear to resemble failed states, despite being located within a wealthy and stable nation like the United States. These cities, though not officially recognized as failed states, experience systemic issues that lead to poor governance, widespread poverty, violence, and a breakdown in social cohesion.


Governance Failures


In a failed state, one of the critical factors is the collapse of effective governance. For Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago, governance has often been weak and inefficient. These cities have seen long periods of political corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability. In Baltimore, the leadership crisis has been glaringly evident in the aftermath of the 2015 riots, which followed the death of Freddie Gray in police custody. The city's response to the unrest, its failure to address systemic racism and police violence, and the broader inability to implement meaningful reforms have shown how local government institutions can fail to protect citizens’ rights and ensure public safety.


Similarly, Chicago's reputation for corruption is well documented, and its high levels of political gridlock often inhibit the development and implementation of policies that could alleviate urban poverty or reduce crime. Meanwhile, Newark's city governance has also been marred by longstanding challenges related to political patronage and a lack of effective leadership, making it difficult to enact reforms that could help improve the city's condition.


Like South Sudan, these urban centers lack the capacity to meet the needs of their citizens due to ineffective governance. They struggle with basic services like public education, law enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance, much as South Sudan suffers from an inability to provide essential public goods due to internal conflict and a dysfunctional government.


Widespread Poverty and Economic Disparity


Poverty is one of the most defining features of a failed state. In cities like Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago, large sections of the population live below the poverty line. These cities have some of the highest poverty rates in the United States, with unemployment, underemployment, and poor education being major drivers. South Sudan, similarly, suffers from widespread poverty due to conflict, corruption, and a lack of economic development.


In these U.S. cities, many residents struggle to access decent housing, healthcare, and educational opportunities. High poverty rates have contributed to a vicious cycle of inequality, where future generations are often condemned to the same impoverished conditions as their parents. This economic instability creates an environment in which crime, violence, and social unrest thrive—paralleling the economic collapse seen in South Sudan, where a lack of infrastructure and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few elites exacerbate tensions.


In South Sudan, the failure of the government to develop a diversified economy has left the country dependent on oil exports, making it highly vulnerable to fluctuating oil prices and leaving other sectors underdeveloped. In similar fashion, cities like Baltimore and Chicago face a lack of diversified economic opportunities. For example, Baltimore's economy has historically relied on manufacturing and the shipping industry, but the decline of these sectors has left many without stable jobs, contributing to the city’s economic challenges. Newark, while benefiting from its proximity to New York City, still struggles with job scarcity and poor wages in its own right.


Violence and Crime


Another feature that links these U.S. cities to the concept of a failed state is their struggle with widespread violence and crime. South Sudan's internal conflict, marked by ethnic and political violence, has crippled the country, with rival factions vying for power and control over resources. Although Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago do not face outright civil war, they struggle with endemic violence, primarily driven by gang activity, drug trafficking, and systemic inequality.


Chicago, in particular, has long been notorious for its high levels of violence. The city has been plagued by gang wars and gun violence, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. This violence is often exacerbated by a lack of social services, limited access to mental health care, and inadequate law enforcement. In Baltimore, the situation is not much better, with high homicide rates and a history of police brutality, while Newark, though improving in some areas, continues to face challenges with crime and gang activity.


While these cities do not experience the mass-scale atrocities that occur in South Sudan, the violence in these urban centers destabilizes their societies, often leaving residents feeling unsafe and marginalized. A sense of lawlessness and mistrust in authorities further contributes to the sense of a failed state, as the social contract between government and citizens weakens.


Social and Infrastructure Breakdown


A failed state is often characterized by the collapse of social services and infrastructure. South Sudan, for example, has seen the disintegration of its healthcare system, widespread food insecurity, and the destruction of roads and buildings during years of civil war. Similarly, Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago also struggle with crumbling infrastructure, underfunded schools, and inadequate healthcare systems.


In Baltimore, much of the housing stock is dilapidated, with thousands of abandoned buildings scattered throughout the city. The water crisis, which has led to poor access to clean drinking water in some neighborhoods, is another example of infrastructure breakdown. Newark has faced issues like lead-contaminated drinking water, highlighting the failure of the local government to provide basic public services. Chicago, with its aging public transportation system, and Newark, with its struggling public education system, both face infrastructural challenges that hinder residents' quality of life.


Like South Sudan, where the absence of a functional infrastructure has further entrenched poverty and instability, these U.S. cities struggle to provide essential services that allow for social mobility, economic development, and the well-being of their citizens.


Conclusion


Although Newark, Baltimore, and Chicago are not failed states in the technical sense, they exhibit many of the same characteristics that define failed states like South Sudan. Governance failures, widespread poverty, violence, and infrastructure breakdown create environments where social stability is undermined, and citizens are left without the resources and support they need to thrive. These cities, much like South Sudan, represent areas where the social contract has eroded, and the ability of the government to maintain order and provide for its people has been severely compromised. The challenges these cities face require significant reform and investment to restore functionality and improve the lives of their residents.
 
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