South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011 as the result of a 2005 settlement that ended Africa’s longest-running civil conflict.
Made up of the ten southern-most states of Sudan, South Sudan is without doubt one of the most various nations in Africa. It is dwelling to over 60 totally different main ethnic teams.
Independence didn’t convey battle in South Sudan to an finish. Civil conflict broke out in 2013 when the president fell out along with his then vp, resulting in a battle that has displaced some 4 million individuals.
An influence-sharing settlement was signed between the combatants in August 2018 in a bid to convey the five-year civil conflict to an finish.
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Capital: Juba
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Area: 644,329 sq km
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Population: 11.5 million
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Languages: English, additionally Dinka, Nuer, Murle, Luo, Ma’di, Otuho, Zande and others
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Life expectancy: 54 years (males) 57 years (ladies)
President: Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit turned president of South Sudan – then nonetheless a part of Sudan – and head of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in 2005, succeeding long-time insurgent chief John Garang, who died in a helicopter crash.
Mr Kiir was re-elected as president in multiparty polls within the south in April 2010. In July 2011, when South Sudan turned impartial, he turned president of the brand new state.
Just two years later, nevertheless, the country was engulfed by civil conflict when Mr Kiir sacked his complete cupboard and accused Vice-President Riek Machar of instigating a failed coup.
In August 2018, after 5 years of civil conflict, Mr Kiir signed a power-sharing settlement with insurgent chief Machar and different opposition teams in a bid to finish the brutal battle.
Constitutional ensures of media freedom are usually not revered in apply, and journalists danger harassment and detention over experiences deemed unfavourable by the authorities.
Radio is the most well-liked medium. Private native stations, a few of them with international funding, broadcast alongside the state-run nationwide community.
Some key dates in South Sudan’s historical past:
1956 – Sudan turns into impartial however southern states are sad with their lack of autonomy. Tensions boil over into preventing that lasts till 1972, when the south is promised a level of self-government.
1983 – Fighting begins once more after the Sudanese authorities cancels the autonomy preparations.
2011 – South Sudan turns into an impartial country, after over 20 years of guerrilla warfare, which claimed the lives of a minimum of 1.5 million individuals and greater than 4 million had been displaced.
2012 – Disagreements with Sudan over the oil-rich area of Abyei erupt into preventing, generally known as the Heglig Crisis. A peace deal was reached in June 2012 that helped resume South Sudan’s oil exports and created a 10km demilitarized zone alongside the border.
2013 – Civil conflict breaks out after the president, Salva Kiir, sacks the cupboard and accuses Vice-President Riek Machar of planning a failed coup. Over 2.2 million individuals are displaced by the preventing and extreme famine places the lives of 1000’s in danger.
2018 – Renewed bid to finish civil conflict results in a power-sharing settlement between the warring sides.
