Coup Rumors in South Sudan Highlight Continued Risk of Political Instability and Civil War

Recent coup allegations in South Sudan underscore threats to political stability, risking a resurgence of civil war that disrupts oil flows and inflames an existing regional humanitarian crisis. On Nov. 15, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed the country's police chief following rumors of a coup plot on social media. The plot allegedly involved officers from the National Security Service and the South Sudan People's Defense Forces, and 27 individuals linked to the alleged plot have been apprehended. South Sudan has struggled with political instability since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, as two major political factions and various splinter groups continue to vie for political dominance and access to state resources. Kiir postponed general elections originally scheduled for February 2023 to December 2024, which has triggered accusations by the rival faction led by Vice President Riek Machar that Kiir is attempting to circumvent power-sharing processes. While the coup...