by PeaceRep
News South Sudan

New Survey Findings from South Sudan Reveal Changing Attitudes Towards Peace

The latest findings from the sixth wave of the Perceptions of Peace in South Sudan survey reveal significant shifts in public sentiment between 2024 and 2025. Most notably, 56% of respondents now believe South Sudan is not at peace, up from 33% in 2024.

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Results for the survey question, ‘In your view, is South Sudan currently at peace?’

Although respondents had generally reported feeling safer since 2021, 2025 marks the first year that perceived safety levels declined, with significant variation across different locations. Insecurity remains particularly high in Juba, Yei and Pibor.

 

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Perceptions of everyday safety have been improving over time, with the exception of 2025.

 

Attitudes towards upcoming elections

The survey also highlights growing public scepticism about the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement (R-ARCSS), though support for upcoming elections in December 2026 remains strong. Despite this, findings reveal:

  • Optimism is declining, with a 5% drop in the number of people who strongly agreed that elections give them hope for the future in 2025.
  • Nearly 70% of respondents now see the risk of election-related violence as high or very high, especially in Gorgial West and Rubkona.
  • While most still support elections going ahead as planned, 46% now say they would support a delay if needed.

 

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Results by location for survey question ‘Would you support a delay of elections if the necessary conditions are not in place by December 2026?’

 

What’s new in wave 6?

For the first time, the survey asked respondents about their thoughts on UNMISS – the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. Questions focused on whether it contributes to durable peace, helps prevent intercommunal violence, and supports the protection of civilians. Responses varied significantly by location and gender, and insights can be explored in detail via the interactive dashboard.

About Perceptions of Peace in South Sudan

The Perceptions of Peace survey includes responses from 22,677 people across 29 locations in 15 counties between 2021 and 2025. It provides rich data on how people experience safety, perceive peace, and view governance and elections.

The sixth wave of the survey was conducted from April to June 2025 by Detcro Research and Advisory, with support from the EU-funded project ‘Raising Civil Voices’, implemented by the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation South Sudan.

Explore the findings, regional differences, and key insights into perceptions of safety through the interactive dashboard.

Interactive dashboard: Perceptions of Peace in South Sudan

Explore all PeaceRep South Sudan research