How social media is fanning tensions in South Sudan

South Sudan's opposition leader Riek Machar was arrested on March 26, 2025, a move described by the UN as leaving the country on the brink of widespread conflict. [AFP]

Misinformation and online hate speech are fuelling panic and division in South Sudan at a time of acute political tensions that observers fear could drive the country back to war.

Ethnic divisions, particularly between the largest communities, the Dinka and Nuer, fuelled the brutal civil war of 2013-18 in which some 400,000 people died.