The most recently created country in the world, South Sudan, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its formation on June 9, 2011. As the name suggests the country broke away from Sudan after a decades-long struggle during which the Christian dominated South Sudan sought to become independent from Sudan which was predominantly Muslim.
However, with the after-effects of a civil war still being felt and the economic crisis in the wake of COVID-19, the country has little to celebrate. The head of the country, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called on the country’s citizens to keep all celebrations indoors. India’s External Affairs Minister(EAM) Dr. S Jaishankar took to Twitter to extend the ‘National Day’ greetings to South Sudan.
Greetings to FM @amb_wani and the Government & people of South Sudan on their National Day. Will work to take our cooperation further.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 9, 2021
History:
South Sudan was created on June 9, 2011, an event that was marked by intense celebrations in the streets of Juba, the country’s capital and the largest city. The country’s peaceful breaking away from Sudan after a referendum was a historic moment and large amounts of foreign funding flowed into the country on the back of goodwill it enjoyed. However, the good days didn’t last long and within 2 years of formation, a civil war broke out in South Sudan between President Salva Kiir and ex-vice President Riek Machar, leading to the killing of over 4,00,00 people. The civil war was marked by ethnic massacres, mass rapes, sexual violence, and attacks on unarmed civilians and workers, plunging the country’s infrastructure and economy into darkness.
Current Situation:
The armed internal conflict ended only in 2018, leading to the formation of a unity government between Kiir and Machar. However, the country’s situation remains grim with widespread hunger and a delay in enacting constitutional reforms. The current President was elected only once, in 2011 and he has postponed the next round of elections to 2023.
Economy:
South Sudan is among the poorest countries in the world with a nominal per capita GDP of only $275. While the country is endowed with oil and other natural resources, widespread corruption and instability due to the civil war have kept it poor with 66% of the country below the poverty line. In an interview with Kenyan broadcaster Citizen TV, President Kiir blamed international sanctions which he said were reducing the government’s revenue.
Meanwhile, the troika of nations- United States, United Kingdom, and Norway which have played an important role in the country’s peace process, released a statement on Friday congratulating South Sudan on its independence Day. The three nations commended the resilience of the citizens of South Sudan while noting that the country had suffered greatly due to “conflict-related abuses, famine, flooding, and disease. ”
South Sudan's first ten years have seen much suffering. Though the country's promise of peace and prosperity remains unfulfilled, we remain committed to the South Sudanese people and call on their government to cooperate in building peace and security. https://t.co/p1Krm1I0Ic
— State Department Spokesperson 2013-2025 (@statedeptspox_a) July 8, 2021
“The great challenge now facing South Sudan is to recapture the sense of unity, strength, and hope that prevailed on this day ten years ago. With reconciliation through compromise and accelerated implementation of the peace agreement, South Sudan can become a peaceful, democratic country,” the statement read.
