South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, marked 10 years of its independence today, without an official celebration.
The country's independence in July 2011, following a protracted war of liberation, was met with jubilation and celebrations, but the past 10 years have not been easy for ordinary South Sudanese citizens.
Just two years later after independence, the young nation descended into civil war in December 2013. The oil-rich country has been mired in fighting that killed nearly 400,000 people and a deteriorating humanitarian crisis.
Even after the signing of a revitalized peace deal in September 2018, South Sudan is still facing many challenges like insecurity, endemic corruption, extreme poverty, economic woes and the Covid-19 pandemic.
"In the past 10 years of independence, there is nothing has been achieved in terms of services and economy," said Prof. Jok Madut Jok, a political analyst and co-founder of the Sudd Institute, an independent think tank focusing on South Sudan, told Radio Tamazuj.
He said South Sudanese had high expectations when their country got its independence in 2011, with the hope that life would get better.
"Now, South Sudan is considered a failed state, so there is nothing to celebrate. The implementation of the peace agreement is not progressing well," he added.
Calls for unity
A minister in the Transitional Government of National Unity says despite the numerous problems facing the country and lost opportunities, South Sudanese citizens still have a chance to realize their dreams.
"We are happy that we got our independence after a long war of liberation. Let’s celebrate and rejoice because it is the anniversary of our freedom. Let’s stop fighting so that we develop our country and become a great nation," said Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, Minister of Public Service and Human Resources.
Major achievements
Josephine Joseph Lagu, a minister of agriculture and food security, said the signing of the revitalized peace agreement was a key step towards peace and stability in South Sudan, despite its slow implementation.
She calls on the parties to the September 2018 peace agreement to focus on the peace process.
"The implementation of the peace agreement is not progressing well, especially the security arrangements. South Sudan could return to war if the security arrangements are not properly done," Prof Jok warns.
Last month, South Sudan’s new United Nations head, Nicholas Haysom, told the Security Council there was “pervasive insecurity” and that intercommunal violence was responsible for more than 80 percent of civilian casualties this year. Haysom urged the government to “breathe fresh life into the peace process” and fully implement the agreement, which will eventually lead to elections in 2023, he said.