Refugees: R-ARCSS
Implementations
Refugees – 2018
Under R-ARCSS, the parties agreed to facilitate the resettlement of refugees and provide humanitarian assistance.
The United Nations estimated that there were 2.47 million South Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries when R-ARCSS was signed.[1] The United Nations reported 65 “access incidents” in September, referring to incidents where aid workers were blocked from providing assistance to civilians, either by force or through “bureaucratic and administrative impediments,’’ including to refugees.[2] The UN estimated 700 refugees returned in September.[3]
In October, the UN noted that “refugees… are beginning to return home” following the signing of R-ARCSS.[4] The UN also reported 58 new access incidents, some of which involved refugees.[5] The UN estimated 5,500 refugees returned in October, 2,000 returned in November, and 7,800 returned in December. [6] [7] [8] However, the UN stated that “the current conditions [are] not yet conducive for durable, safe and dignified returns.”[9]
[1] “Humanitarian bulletin South Sudan” United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), September 30, 2018.
[2] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 2 September to 30 November 2018),” United Nations Resolution S/2018/1103, December 10, 2018.
[3] “Overview of spontaneous refugee returns to South Sudan,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, February 28, 2019.
[4] “Humanitarian bulletin South Sudan” United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), October 30, 2018.
[5] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 2 September to 30 November 2018),” United Nations Resolution S/2018/1103, December 10, 2018.
[6] “Overview of spontaneous refugee returns to South Sudan,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, February 28, 2019.
[7] “Overview of spontaneous refugee returns to South Sudan,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, February 28, 2019.
[8] “Overview of spontaneous refugee returns to South Sudan,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, February 28, 2019.
[9] “Overview of spontaneous refugee returns to South Sudan,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, February 28, 2019.
Refugees – 2019
The United Nations reported that at the end of 2019, there were 2.15 million South Sudanese refugees[1] and that nearly 70,000 refugees returned home in 2019.[2]
[1] “Operations Portal- South Sudan,” United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, December 31, 2019, https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/southsudan.
[2] “South Sudan situation,” United Nations High Commission for Refugees, January 10, 2020.
Refugees – 2020
The United Nations reported that at the end of 2020, there were 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees and that nearly 99,816 refugees returned home in 2020.[1]
[1] “South Sudan: Overivew of spontaneous refugee returns. UNHCR, January 21, 2020.
Refugees – 2021
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 148,931, or 7% of South Sudanese, have returned from abroad. According to the report, a total of 33% of refugees returned to South Sudan between 2016 and 2021. [1]
[1] International Organization for Migration (IOM), Jul 26 2022. DTM South Sudan — Mobility Tracking Round 12 Initial Data Release. IOM, South Sudan. https://dtm.iom.int/reports/south-sudan-mobility-tracking-round-12-initial-data-release
Refugees – 2022
Reports suggest that displacements are due to conflict, ethnic conflict, and natural disasters. According to the IOM tracking of IDPs, over 2.25 million IDPs were there in South Sudan as of December 2022. [1]The RTGoNU is yet to address reconstruction, repatriation, resettlement, rehabilitation and reintegration related issues.[2]
[1] “Thousands Displaced in South Sudan Ethnic Violence, UN Reports.” Voice of America. https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-displaced-in-south-sudan-ethnic-violence-un-reports/6896731.html, December 29, 2022; “Floods, Displacement and Violence in South Sudan.” International Crisis Group.
https://southsudan.crisisgroup.org/, October 27, 2022.
[2] RJMEC report 014/2022; 015/2022; 016/2022; 017/2023.
Refugees – 2023
Reports suggest conflict, ethnic conflict, and natural disasters have exacerbated refugee issues in South Sudan. While the UNHCR reported an estimated 763,000 South Sudanese refugees returning to the country, over 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees, of which 65% are children, are in precarious conditions in neighboring countries.[1]
The RTGoNU has yet to address related issues of reconstruction, repatriation, resettlement, rehabilitation and reintegration.[2]
[1] South Sudan Situation, UNHCR Global Focus. https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/south-sudan-situation , 21 March 2024.
[2] RJMEC. 2024. On The Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Report No. 021/23 (January 2024).