South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and became a National Anatomy. However, Democratic Governance became very transient there as the Sudan People’s Liberation which provided the pathway for the new country’s Independence had internal conflicts with internal factions fighting for power.
President Salva Kiir who has been President since 2011 of South Sudan accused his Vice President; Riek Machar, of making plots to oust him and sacked him as Vice President in 2013. This led to fightings between both camps, particularly in Juba.
In 2015 they signed a peace agreement and Machar was reappointed. In 2016 he was ousted again reappointed in 2018 after a peace agreement. He has been the first Vice President of South Sudan since 2020.
In the midst of various peace agreements that have taken place over the years, violence continues to take place all the time in the country. These conflicts have led to people being displaced from their homes and lots of people loosing their lives with the persistent increase in floods. At least 7 million people in the country face food insecurity with economic crisis and low crop production making it difficult for families to take care of themselves for long periods.
South Sudan ranks in the last ten of the Human Development index as they rank 185th out of 189 countries. According to the United Nations, more than 80 percent of their citizens are below the poverty line. Kidnapping, crime and armed conflicts are very popular in the country as well.
AFRICAN VOICES INTERNATIONAL, FREEDOM IN AFRICA