Why South Sudan is not celebrating its sixth birthday

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Sunday marked the sixth anniversary of independence for South Sudan – the world's newest country. But there were neither official celebrations nor jubilance among its citizens, as a prolonged civil war continues to take its toll on the young nation.

The government of South Sudan has cancelled official independence day celebrations for the second consecutive year, citing financial difficulties.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir (R). /VCG Photo

In December 2013, two-year-old South Sudan saw the outbreak of a civil war after President Salva Kiir accused his then-deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup against his government. Machar denied the allegations but then went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight Kiir.

Since then, a third of South Sudan's population has been displaced, 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.

South Sudan's rebel leader and former Vice President Riek Machar. /VCG Photo

South Sudan timeline

July 9, 2011: South Sudan gains independence from Sudan after decades of guerrilla warfare.

December 15, 2013: Civil war breaks out after President Salva Kiir accuses then-Vice President Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

August 26, 2015: Warring sides sign a peace deal to end the civil war, but the conflict continues.

An amputated and displaced man walks with a displaced family in Padding, Jonglei, South Sudan, July 4, 2017. /VCG Photo

Lost promise

Without any celebratory posters or banners, an air of mourning for the lost promise of independence pervaded the quiet streets of Juba on Sunday morning.

"Today I have nothing to celebrate," 34-year-old father of three Ariik Majok told AFP. "I did not expect this."

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.

Displaced children wait to be airlifted to the South Sudanese northern state of Eastern Nile, in Juba, January 7, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

"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's representative for the UN children's agency, UNICEF.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) charity agreed there was little to celebrate. "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," she said. "With more people facing a severe food crisis every month, there is unfortunately little reason to celebrate."

Help from China

China established diplomatic ties with South Sudan on the very day of its independence on July 9, 2011 and has been helping the war-torn country by sending peacekeepers, supporting its infrastructure construction and offering humanitarian aid.

A 700-member Chinese infantry battalion is serving under a force of 12,000 blue helmets in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), tasked with protecting civilians, humanitarian workers and providing security escorts and as well as patrols.

Chinese peacekeepers patrol at the Protection of Civilians site 1 beside the United Nations House in Juba, capital of South Sudan, August 11, 2016. /Xinhua Photo

In July 2016, two Chinese peacekeepers Li Lei and Yang Shupeng died and five others were injured after their vehicle was struck with a rocket-propelled grenade while guarding a refugee camp near a UN compound for displaced people.

Chinese enterprises have actively invested in South Sudan's infrastructure programs such as roads, hydropower, telecommunication and medical care.

In early 2017, the two countries agreed to boost cooperation in the health sector by enhancing knowledge sharing, capacity building, and hospital-to-hospital collaboration.

China donated over half a million boxes of anti-malaria medicine to the East African nation last month, in an aid package worth 750,000 US dollars.

Chinese doctors treat a child at the Juba Orphanage in Juba, South Sudan, June 1, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

South Sudan's deputy Minister of Information Paul Akol Kordit commended China for being a historical friend of Africa and particularly his country earlier this year.

"We have very strong ties with China. It has been supporting us in terms of development and diplomatically on the international arena. They have stood with the people of South Sudan and we hope the cordial relations continue," Akol said.

(With inputs from AFP and Xinhua)

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