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🇿🇦South Africa war and conflict risk

Data as of · estimate recalculated daily · fighting data arrive with a delay of about 2 months · Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

South Africa, as of 2026-10-04: armed violence is ongoing (since 7 Aug 2026) — this is the main danger now. Risk of a new, separate crisis within 90 days: elevated, unchanged since 27 Sep. Main signal: Level of armed violence.

The estimate covers only armed crises and coups; terrorism, crime and weather are not included. Before travelling, check your foreign ministry’s advice.

Danger nowArmed violencesince 7 Aug 2026
Risk of a new crisis (90 days)Elevated unchanged since 27 Sep
Change since 27 Sep unchangedNo change since 27 Sep
At this level, historically1 in 11weeks at this level ended in a new crisis within 90 days. In 10 of 11, nothing happened. This is a frequency for the level, not a probability for this country.

Danger now is what is already happening. Risk is the chance of a new, separate crisis; during a war it can be low.

South Africa: risk level over time

Weekly risk level. Dots mark the start of an ongoing event.

LowElevatedHighVery high2026-03-23: Armed violence2026-07-13: Armed violence2026-08-10: Armed violence2025-10-132026-04-132026-10-04

Country summary

Danger now

Armed violence

Risk of a new crisis (90 days)

Elevated

Historically, about 1 in 11 weeks at this level were followed by a new crisis within 90 days

Key drivers

  • →Level of armed violence
  • →Situation in neighbouring countries
Full weekly summary →

Regional context

Map →
BotswanaMozambiqueNamibiaZimbabweSouth Africa
Very highHighElevatedLowNo data

Neighbouring countries

What drives the risk assessment for South Africa

Methodology →

Signals behind the level and how they moved since 27 Sep

Level of armed violence
→ no change
Situation in neighbouring countries
→ no change
Past coups
→ no change
Official travel warnings
→ no change
Diplomatic staff evacuations
→ no change
Information background
→ no change

Events in the country, last 90 days

South Africa: timeline of changes (past year)

  • Risk levelLow → Elevated
  • EventStarted: Armed violence
  • Risk levelElevated → Low
  • EventEnded: Armed violence
  • EventStarted: Armed violence
  • Risk levelLow → Elevated
  • EventEnded: Armed violence
  • EventStarted: Armed violence
  • Risk levelElevated → Low

How it compares

Sub-Saharan Africa: countries at this level or higher21 / 52
vs 4 weeks ago unchangedElevated
vs a year ago unchangedElevated
Same level in the region

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon +6

A crisis here means a new outbreak of armed violence or a coup — a threat to people’s lives or freedom.

Questions and answers

Is there a war in South Africa now?

Not a major armed conflict, but as of 2026-10-04 armed violence is recorded in South Africa (since 7 Aug 2026): at least 25 deaths in the past month. These data arrive with a delay of about two months.

Could a new war or coup start in South Africa?

The automated estimate of the risk of a new, separate crisis in South Africa — an outbreak of armed violence or a coup — within 90 days is Elevated, unchanged since 27 Sep. Historically, about 1 in 11 weeks at this level were followed by such a crisis. Most weeks at this level passed without a new crisis.

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

War Radar is not travel advice. Danger now in South Africa: armed violence. Official travel warnings: no change. Always follow the official guidance of your government.