South Sudan and DR Congo: A Tale of Two Nations Grappling with Internal Strife and Regional Tensions

Current State of Affairs

Political tensions and violence have significantly escalated in South Sudan since the beginning of 2025, putting the country’s peace process and political transition at risk. The situation involves clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and various opposition forces.

DR Congo’s Ongoing Crisis

The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. The emergency has resulted in the displacement of 6.1 million people within the country and forced 1 million to seek asylum across Africa. The situation is expected to worsen in 2025, with 27 million people currently in need of support.

Recent Developments

Early 2025 saw a dramatic escalation in DR Congo when fighting between Congolese security forces and militant groups led by M23 intensified, culminating in M23’s capture of Goma, the regional hub of Eastern DRC. Rwanda supported the M23 offensive with thousands of ground troops, causing thousands of locals to flee the region.

Humanitarian Impact

The ongoing crises have led to unprecedented levels of humanitarian needs, increased vulnerabilities, and protection risks. Both countries are witnessing widespread violations of human rights and devastating incidents of gender-based violence.

International Response

Peace negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC, brokered by the United States, took place in spring 2025, leading to a peace deal on June 27, 2025. The agreement calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo within 90 days and includes provisions for regional economic integration.

Looking Forward

The situation in both nations remains precarious, with forced displacement expected to continue throughout 2025, further exacerbating the humanitarian emergency. The crisis is being compounded by multiple factors, including conflict, food insecurity, climate impacts, and epidemics.