South Sudan on Sunday marked its sixth independence anniversary in muted fashion, with no official celebration as the world's newest nation reels from a brutal and destructive ongoing civil war.
A third of the population has been forced from their homes creating one of the world's worst refugee crises, tens of thousands have been killed and a famine and food shortages have threatened the lives of millions more.
"Today I have nothing to celebrate," said 34-year-old father of three Ariik Majok, who works as a night watchman in the capital.
On July 9, 2011, dignitaries from around the world joined crowds of South Sudanese to celebrate the country's independence from Sudan, to the north, after decades of civil war.
But two years later, in December 2013, a new conflict was sparked when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy, Riek Machar, of plotting a coup.
The war since then has been characterised by ethnic fighting, sexual violence and extreme brutality with civilians the primary victims.
Last month, the government announced it was cancelling official independence celebrations for the second year running. "Our situation does not require us to celebrate," said spokesman Michael Makuei.
On Sunday morning in Juba there were no celebratory posters or banners, rather an air of mourning for the lost promise of independence pervaded the quiet streets.
- 'No peace, no stability' -
"I don't regret voting for the independence of South Sudan," said Majok, "although I am not happy with the way things are going on in South Sudan.
On July 9, 2011, joyful crowds celebrated South Sudan's independence from Sudan, but two years later a new conflict erupted which has been characterised by ethnic fighting, sexual violence and extreme brutality
"I did not expect this," he said of the war, spiralling inflation and food crisis.
Wani John, a 39-year-old civil servant, said he too saw nothing to celebrate.
"There is no peace and stability. People are dying and our leaders are not solving the situation. I am not a happy citizen," he said. "What we simply want is peace."
The laments of residents in Juba were echoed by international aid agencies which are struggling to address South Sudan's multiple crises and to raise funds for emergency relief work.
"Millions of children in South Sudan are suffering unthinkable hardships and setbacks in their education, nutrition, health and their rights," said Mahimbo Mdoe, South Sudan representative for the UN children's agency, UNICEF.
An estimated two million children have been uprooted during more than three-and-a-half years of war and at least 2,500 have been killed, UNICEF said.
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)charity said there was little to celebrate as South Sudan marked its sixth independence anniversary.
"South Sudan's independence is overshadowed by conflict and an unprecedented food crisis," said NRC country director Rehana Zawar.
"While independence brought hopes of peace and development... today's ongoing conflict has resulted in four million South Sudanese having to flee their homes.
"With more people facing a severe food crisis every month, there is unfortunately little reason to celebrate," she said.
Newer articles:
- Bishop to South Sudan: Declare bankruptcy - 10/07/2017 14:15
- Sudan says it has fulfilled U.S. conditions for sanctions relief - 10/07/2017 09:00
- South Sudanese Have No Regrets Attaining Independence From Sudan - 10/07/2017 08:08
- South Sudan Marks 6 Years Of Independence As 6 Million Go Hungry - 09/07/2017 13:32
- S.Sudan marks 6th year of independence without peace - 09/07/2017 07:25
Older news items
- Unhappy Anniversary, South Sudan - 08/07/2017 11:55
- U.S. giving $638M aid to Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, South Sudan - 08/07/2017 11:34
- Human Trafficking Suspect Transferred to Somalia After Arrest in South Sudan - 07/07/2017 23:29
- Clashes near South Sudan rebel stronghold, aid workers evacuated - 07/07/2017 14:18
- South Sudan in crisis: 'Six years on from independence, people are surviving on water lillies' - 07/07/2017 09:22
Latest news items (all categories):
- The Collo Kingdom Remains Underdeveloped: Five Hundred Years Later! - 03/02/2025 12:57
- Attack on South Sudan cattle camps kills 35 - 03/02/2025 12:46
- في صفقة مثيرة.. الإمارات تشتري نفط الجنوب في باطن الأرض لمدة 20 عامًا - 03/02/2025 12:42
- South Sudan: Can oil production save the economy? - 30/01/2025 19:27
- 20 oil workers and crew die in South Sudan plane crash - 30/01/2025 19:20
Random articles (all categories):
- Coronavirus royal scare: Sophie Wessex checked for coronavirus during South Sudan tour - 03/03/2020 19:37
- South Sudan Charges Presidential Aides With $15 Million Theft - 01/03/2016 03:00
- South Sudan’s Suspected Rapists Must be Brought to Justice - 20/08/2016 01:02
- South Sudan Islamic Community Urge Political Leaders To Embrace Peace - 29/04/2016 07:41
- Qatar, South Sudan to boost oil, gas cooperation - 25/03/2019 14:34
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 67676 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22360 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21558 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 19208 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19199 times