About South Sudan
Independence Day
July 9, 2024
Population
Dialing Code
Currency
Continent
Africa
Capital City
Juba
Area
644,329 sq km
Time Zone
National Anthem
Government type
Presidential Republic
Admission to the United Nations
The Republic of South Sudan is 193rd member state of the United Nations and the 54th member state of the African Union. The country gained independence on 9th July 2011 following a self determination referendum in which the citizens overwhelmingly voted for total autonomy from the then Sudan.
The referendum, conducted in January 2011, was one of the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005. The CPA ended one of Africa’s longest civil wars in which many lives were lost. After emerging from decades of neglect and discrimination, the country is now putting all its efforts and resources to nation building. South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country situated in eastern Central Africa.
It shares borders with Ethiopia, Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. The country ecompasses the vast swamp region of the Sudd, formed by the White Nile and locally referred to as the Bahr al Jabal, meaning “Mountain Sea”. South Sudan’s rich biodiversity includes lush savannas, swamplands, and rainforests that support a variety of wildlife. Its history, cultural diversity, and struggle for independence make it a unique and complex nation in Africa.
Ethnic Diversity: Over 60 different major ethnic groups
Religion: Christianity, Traditional Faiths, and Islam
Brief History
No state existed in the territory known as South Sudan before the European scramble for Africa. The area only consisted of small, medium and large nationalities that coexisted in relative harmony. The indigenous populations and their territories remain largely the same to date.
This tranquil existence was interrupted by European invaders seeking trade commodities and markets. South Sudan became the main source of trade commodities such as slaves, gold, ivory and timber. Thus, enormous human and other resources were plundered for generations.
Modern South Sudan emerged during the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium (1898-1955), upon the break-up of the Ottoman Empire. Britain and Egypt colluded to occupy Sudan with separate administrative arrangements for the north and south. After the defeat of the Mahdist army in 1898 during the battle of Omdurman, North Sudanese accepted the rule of the new Anglo-Egyptian regime. However, South Sudanese rejected the regime and continued to fight for their independence.
This struggle for liberation continued for several years, even after Sudan obtained independence in 1956. Sadly, 37 of the past 56 years have been waged on major civil conflicts; the first from 1955-1972 and the second from 1983 to 2005 when the comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed. In fulfillment of a provision of the CPA, South Sudanese voted for independence during the January 2011 referendum. South Sudan was declared a sovereign state on 9 July 2011.