The UN has warned that South Sudan is on the verge of another civil war as violence escalates between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar.

Tensions have surged following attacks by the White Army, linked to Machar, and military reprisals, including aerial strikes on civilians, displacing over 63,000 people.

Misinformation and ethnic tensions are further fueling the crisis.

The 2018 peace deal between Kiir and Machar is crumbling, with mutual distrust and repeated election delays worsening instability, Al-Jazeera has reported.

The UN is engaging in diplomatic efforts to prevent a full-scale conflict.

Written by B.C. Begley