South Sudan faces humanitarian crisis and famine risk

Developing StoryLast updated APR 18
SUMMARY

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs warned on April 17, 2026, that South Sudan is at risk of famine due to escalating conflict and rising hunger, with two-thirds of the population requiring humanitarian assistance. As of April 17, 2026, the humanitarian response plan is severely underfunded, amidst ongoing government reshuffles by President Salva Kiir, including the dismissal of four undersecretaries in March 2026. These changes follow the arrest of former Finance Minister Bak Barnaba Chol on February 28, 2026, after his dismissal on February 24, 2026, marking the ninth change in the finance minister position since 2020. President Kiir stated in November 2025 that frequent dismissals aim to find "solutions" to economic and security issues, with government workers having gone nine months without salaries due to challenges in generating oil revenue.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs warned on April 17, 2026, that South Sudan is at risk of famine due to escalating conflict and rising hunger.

    The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs warned on April 17, 2026, that South Sudan is at risk of famine due to escalating conflict and rising hunger. He stated that two-thirds of the population will require humanitarian assistance in 2026, but the response plan is severely underfunded.

  2. In March 2026, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir dismissed four undersecretaries, including the first undersecretary of finance, as part of wider government reshuffles.

    In March 2026, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir dismissed four undersecretaries, including the first undersecretary of finance, as part of wider government reshuffles. These changes occur amidst severe cash shortages and economic instability, exacerbated by interrupted oil exports.

February 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Bak Barnaba Chol, the recently dismissed Finance Minister of South Sudan, was arrested on February 28, 2026, in Nimule while allegedly attempting to flee to Uganda.

    Bak Barnaba Chol, the recently dismissed Finance Minister of South Sudan, was arrested on February 28, 2026, in Nimule while allegedly attempting to flee to Uganda. His tenure lasted just over three months, and he formally handed over duties to his successor the day before his reported arrest.

  2. President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Dr.

    President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol after only three months in office. Salvatore Garang Mabiordit was appointed as the new Finance Minister, marking the ninth change in the position since 2020.

  3. South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr.

    South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Barnaba Bak Chol, and the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, William Anyuon, after only three months in their positions. Salvatore Garang Mabiordit has been appointed as the new Finance Minister, marking his return to the role. This reshuffle also included the dismissal of the deputy Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority.

November 2025 — 2 developments

  1. President Kiir stated that his frequent dismissals and rehirings of officials were aimed at finding "solutions" to the country's problems, including economic and security issues.

    President Kiir stated that his frequent dismissals and rehirings of officials were aimed at finding "solutions" to the country's problems, including economic and security issues. He noted that government workers had gone nine months without salaries due to challenges in generating oil revenue.

  2. President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Athian Diing Athian, who had served for just over two months.

    President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Athian Diing Athian, who had served for just over two months. Dr. Barnaba Baak Chol was appointed as the new minister, having previously held the post from August 2023 to March 2024. This was the eighth change in the finance minister position since 2020.

August 2025 — 1 developments

  1. President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, who had been in office since July 2024.

    President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, who had been in office since July 2024. Athian Ding Athian was appointed as his replacement, having previously served in the role from 2020 to 2021. This marked the seventh change in the finance minister position since 2020.

March 2025 — 1 developments

  1. President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed three ministers: Ruben Madol Arol (Justice and Constitutiona…

    President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed three ministers: Ruben Madol Arol (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Awut Deng Acuil (General Education and Instruction), and Joseph Mum Majak (Trade and Industry). No reasons were provided for these dismissals.

September 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Athian Ding Athian was appointed as the Finance Minister in September 2024, taking over from Marial Dongrin Ater.

    Athian Ding Athian was appointed as the Finance Minister in September 2024, taking over from Marial Dongrin Ater.

July 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Marial Dongrin Ater was appointed as the new Finance Minister in July 2024.

    Marial Dongrin Ater was appointed as the new Finance Minister in July 2024.

August 2023 — 2 developments

  1. Deng Dau was dismissed as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and replaced by Ambassador James Morgan.

    Deng Dau was dismissed as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and replaced by Ambassador James Morgan. Deng Dau had held the position since March 2023.

  2. President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Dier Tong Ngor and replaced him with Bak Chol, citing no specific reason.

    President Salva Kiir dismissed Finance Minister Dier Tong Ngor and replaced him with Bak Chol, citing no specific reason. This occurred during a period of hyperinflation and a significant depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound against the US dollar.