Kiir declares state of emergency in Warrap and part of Unity amid rising communal violence

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has declared a six-month state of emergency in the country’s Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, citing escalating insecurity and rising communal violence.

The announcement, made through a series of presidential decrees broadcast on state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), allows for the deployment of additional security forces and authorizes the government to take “all necessary measures” to restore order in the affected regions.

The declaration follows a surge in deadly intercommunal clashes, particularly in Tonj East County of Warrap, where unknown number of civilians was killed in the last few weeks.

In Mayom County, authorities reported cross-border cattle raids by armed youth from neighboring Warrap State.

Under South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution, a presidential declaration of emergency must be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly within 15 days for approval.

However, it remains uncertain whether the parliament – currently on recess – will convene to endorse the decision which is already in effect.

The move places Warrap and Mayom under effective lockdown, with restrictions expected on civilian movement.

It also reflects growing concerns over the resurgence of localized armed violence, which some analysts warn could escalate into a broader national crisis.

Military aircraft were seen conducting airstrikes on Thursday morning in an apparent attempt to deter clashes between rival communities along the Warrap – Unity border.

This is not the first time Kiir has declared a state of emergency in Warrap. A similar measure was imposed in 2017 following violence in Gogrial and parts of Tonj.

The latest emergency order comes as tensions mount across the country. Opposition leader Riek Machar remains under detention in Juba, and recent clashes between the SPLA-IO and their allies against government troops in Upper Nile have raised fears of a return to full-scale civil war.

Analysts have warned that the fragile 2018 peace deal is unraveling, with ethnic divisions deepening and trust among key political actors rapidly eroding.