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{{Short description|Country in East Africa}}
{{about|the sovereign country established in 2011|similarly named topics|Southern Sudan (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|RoSS|other uses|Ross (disambiguation){{!}}Ross}}
{{Pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of South Sudan
| common_name = South Sudan
| native_name =
| image_flag = Flag of
| image_coat = Coat of arms of South Sudan.svg
| symbol_type = Coat of arms
| motto =
| national_anthem =
| image_map =
| map_caption = South Sudan in dark green,
| capital = [[Juba]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|04|51|N|31|36|E|type:city}}
| largest_city = capital
| official_languages = [[English language|English]]<ref name="engwork">{{cite web|url=http://www.goss-online.org/magnoliaPublic/en/home/mainColumnParagraphs/0/content_files/file/FINAL%20TCRSS.doc|title=The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011|access-date=12 July 2011|publisher=Government of South Sudan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://swap.stanford.edu/20110721121619/http://www.goss-online.org/magnoliaPublic/en/home/mainColumnParagraphs/0/content_files/file/FINAL%20TCRSS.doc|archive-date=21 July 2011}} Part One, 6(2). "English shall be the official working language in the Republic of South Sudan".</ref>
| national_languages = {{hlist|[[Dinka language|Dinka]]|[[Nuer language|Nuer]]|[[Bari language|Bari]]|[[Murle language|Murle]]|[[Luo languages|Luo (Anyuak, Acholi, Shilluk, Pari, Jur-Luo, others)]]||[[Ma'di language|Ma'di]]|[[Otuho language|Otuho]]|[[Zande language|Zande]]}}
| languages_type = [[Spoken language]]s<ref name=Ethnologue>[[Ethnologue]]: [https://www.ethnologue.com/country/SS/languages ''Ethnologue Languages of the World – South Sudan''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909150520/https://www.ethnologue.com/country/SS/languages|date=9 September 2018}}, Retrieved 9 September 2018.</ref>
| languages = {{hlist|[[Dinka language|Dinka]]|[[Bari language|Bari]]|[[Juba Arabic]]<ref name=UNICEF>[[UNICEF|United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)]]: [https://www.unicef.org/esaro/UNICEF(2016)LanguageandLearning-SouthSudan-CaseStudy.pdf ''The impact of language policy and practice on children's learning: Evidence from Eastern and Southern Africa 2016''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183348/https://www.unicef.org/esaro/UNICEF(2016)LanguageandLearning-SouthSudan-CaseStudy.pdf|date=13 September 2017}} (PDF; 672 kB), Pages 1–3, Retrieved 9 September 2018</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Juba Arabic (Árabi Júba): a "less indigenous" language of South Sudan|url=https://iris.unito.it/retrieve/handle/2318/1702685/508881/06%20ManfrediTosco.pdf|last=Manfredi|first=Stefano|journal=Sociolinguistic Studies|year=2018|volume=12|issue=1|pages=209–230|doi=10.1558/sols.35596|hdl=2318/1702685|s2cid=150503108|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505171624/https://iris.unito.it/retrieve/handle/2318/1702685/508881/06%20ManfrediTosco.pdf|url-status=live |issn=1750-8657}}</ref><ref>Manfredi Stefano; Tosco Mauro (2016), [https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-01357537/document ''A new state, an old language policy, and a pidgin-creolo: Juba Arabic in South Sudan, Forthcoming: Sociolinguistic Studies 2016''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101013034/https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-01357537/document|date=1 November 2018}} (PDF; 1141 kB), Pages 1–18, Retrieved 9 September 2018</ref><ref>Manfredi Stefano; Tosco Mauro (2013), [https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01102624/document ''Language uses vs. language policy: South Sudan and Juba Arabic in the post-independence era''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909150639/https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01102624/document|date=9 September 2018}} (PDF; 301 kB), Pages 798–802, III Congresso Coordinamento Universitario per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, Sep 2013, Turin, Italy. JUNCO, Journal of Universities and International Development Cooperation, 2014, Imagining Cultures of Cooperation – Proceedings of the III CUCS Congress, Turin 19–21 September 2013, Retrieved 9 September 2018</ref>|[[Nuer language|Nuer]]|[[Zande language|Zande]]|[[Jur language|Jur (Luo)]]|[[Murle language|Murle]]|[[Shilluk language|Shilluk
| demonym = [[Demographics of South Sudan|South Sudanese]]
| government_type = [[Federalism|Federal]] [[presidential republic]] under a [[provisional government]]
| leader_title1 = [[President of Republic of South Sudan|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]]
Line 41 ⟶ 37:
| leader_name6 =
| legislature = [[National Legislature (South Sudan)|Transitional National Legislature]]
| upper_house = [[Council of States (South Sudan)|Transitional Council of States]]
| lower_house = [[National Legislative Assembly (South Sudan)|Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type = [[History of South Sudan|Independence]]
| sovereignty_note = from [[Sudan]]
Line 49 ⟶ 45:
| established_event2 = [[2011 South Sudanese independence referendum#Results|Declared and recognized]]
| established_date2 = 9 July 2011
| area_km2 = 619745<ref name="CIA Factbook">{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=South Sudan|access-date=22 June 2023|year=2023}}</ref><ref name="imf2">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/October |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2022 |date=October 2022 |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |access-date=October 11, 2022 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024195215/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/October/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_rank = 41st <!--should be same as listed on [[List of countries and dependencies by area]]-->
| area_sq_mi =
| percent_water =
| population_estimate = 12,703,714<ref name="CIA Factbook"/>
| population_estimate_year =
| population_estimate_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 13.33
| population_density_sq_mi = 34.52
| population_density_rank = 214th
| GDP_PPP = {{decrease}}$13.6 billion <ref name="imf2"
| GDP_PPP_rank = 157th
| GDP_PPP_year = 2022
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{decrease}}$934<ref name="imf2" /><!--Do not use CIA factbook as source!-->
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 191st
| GDP_nominal = {{decrease}}$4.7 billion <ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_rank = 164th
<!--Do not use CIA factbook as source!-->| GDP_nominal_year = 2022
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{decrease}} $326<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 194th
| Gini = 44.1 <!--number only-->
Line 75 ⟶ 70:
| Gini_ref = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/|title=Gini Index|publisher=World Bank|access-date=16 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511044958/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI|archive-date=11 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gini_rank =
| HDI = 0.
| HDI_year =
| HDI_change =
| HDI_ref = <ref name="
| HDI_rank =
| currency = [[South Sudanese pound]]
| currency_code = SSP
| time_zone = [[Central Africa Time]]
| utc_offset = +2
| drives_on = right<ref>{{cite web|title=Traffic and Road Conditions in Sudan, South|url=https://www.countryreports.org/travel/southsudan/traffic.htm|publisher=Countryreports.org|access-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121233247/https://www.countryreports.org/travel/southsudan/traffic.htm|archive-date=21 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in South Sudan|+211]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=New country, new number: Country code 211 officially assigned to South Sudan|publisher=International Telecommunication Union|date=14 July 2011|url=http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2011/25.aspx|access-date=20 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005151037/http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2011/25.aspx|archive-date=5 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
| iso3166code = SS
| cctld = [[.ss]]<ref name="iana">{{cite web|url=https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/ss.html|title=.ss Domain Delegation Data
| footnote_a = Registered and operational since 2019.
| religion = {{ublist|item_style=white-space:nowrap;
|60.5% [[Christianity]]
|32.9% [[Traditional African religions|
|6.2% [[Islam in South Sudan|Islam]]
|0.4% [[Religion in South Sudan|
}}
| religion_year = 2020
| religion_ref = <ref name="CIA Factbook"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/south-sudan#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=South Sudan|work=Global Religious Futures|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=1
| today =
| org_type =
}}
'''South Sudan''' ({{IPAc-en|s|uː|ˈ|d|ɑː|n|,_|-|ˈ|d|æ|n}}), officially the '''Republic of South Sudan''',
South Sudan descended into [[South Sudanese Civil War|a civil war]] from 2013 to 2020, enduring rampant [[Human rights in South Sudan|human rights abuses]], including forced displacement, ethnic massacres, and [[List of journalists killed in South Sudan|killings of journalists]] by various parties. It has since been governed by a coalition formed by leaders of the former warring factions, [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] and [[Riek Machar]].<ref name="power-sharing">{{cite news|title=South Sudan rivals strike power-sharing deal|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51562367|access-date=28 February 2020|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=22 February 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226015108/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51562367|url-status=live}}</ref> The country continues to recover from the war while experiencing ongoing and systemic [[Ethnic violence in South Sudan|ethnic violence]].<ref name="malak">{{cite web |last=Malak |first=Garang A. |title=Trust issues persist in Juba despite new dawn |website=The East African |date=22 February 2020 |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/Trust-issues-persist-in-South-Sudan/4552908-5464954-format-xhtml-fexisgz/index.html |access-date=20 June 2020 |archive-date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622081027/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/ea/Trust-issues-persist-in-South-Sudan/4552908-5464954-format-xhtml-fexisgz/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
The South Sudanese population is composed mostly of [[Nilotic peoples]] spanning a variety of ethnic, tribal, and linguistic groups. It is demographically among the youngest nations in the world, with roughly half its people under 18 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1018671|title='Children's crisis' in South Sudan must be addressed, says top UN official calling for real accountability|date=7 September 2018|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930193622/https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1018671|archive-date=30 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The majority of inhabitants adhere to [[Christianity]] or various [[Traditional African religions|traditional indigenous faiths]], with a sizeable Muslim minority.
South Sudan is a [[Member states of the United Nations|member of the United Nations]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-sudan-un-membership-idUKTRE76D3I120110714|title=South Sudan admitted to U.N. as 193rd member|last=Worsnip|first=Patrick|date=14 July 2011|publisher=[[Reuters]]|access-date=24 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715144119/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/14/uk-sudan-un-membership-idUKTRE76D3I120110714|archive-date=15 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39034&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=|title=UN welcomes South Sudan as 193rd Member State|publisher=United Nations News Service|date=14 July 2011|access-date=14 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803100613/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39034&Cr=South+Sudan&Cr1=|archive-date=3 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[African Union]],<ref name="au54">{{cite web|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/east/South-Sudan-Becomes-African-Unions-54th-Member-126320433.html|title=South Sudan Becomes African Union's 54th Member|publisher=Voice of America News|date=28 July 2011|access-date=28 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916115846/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/east/South-Sudan-Becomes-African-Unions-54th-Member-126320433.html|archive-date=16 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[East African Community]],<ref>"South Sudan admitted into EAC", Daily Nation, 2 March 2016, reprinted at nation.co.ke, accessed 4 March 2016</ref> and the [[Intergovernmental Authority on Development]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-25/ethiopia-agrees-to-back-somalia-army-operations-igad-says.html|title=Ethiopia Agrees to Back Somalia Army Operations, IGAD Says|work=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=25 November 2011|date=25 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729154359/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-25/ethiopia-agrees-to-back-somalia-army-operations-igad-says.html|archive-date=29 July 2012}}</ref> It is one of the [[least developed countries]] in the world, ranking second to last in the [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]], ahead of only [[Somalia]], and having the fourth-lowest [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|nominal GDP per capita]], after [[Sierra Leone]], [[Afghanistan]] and [[Burundi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=GDP per capita, current prices |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD?year=2022 |access-date=2023-04-05 |publisher=IMF |archive-date=14 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114210550/https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPDPC@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD?year=2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Etymology==
The name ''Sudan'' is a name given to a [[Sudan (region)|geographical region]] to the south of the [[Sahara]], stretching from Western Africa to eastern Central Africa. The name derives from the Arabic ''{{transliteration|ar|bilād as-sūdān}}'' ({{lang|ar|بلاد السودان}}), or the "Land of the [[Black people|Blacks]]".<ref>{{
== History ==
{{Main|History of South Sudan}}
The [[Nilotic]] people of South Sudan—the [[Dinka people|Dinka]], [[Anyuak]], [[Bari people|Bari]], [[Acholi people|Acholi]], [[Nuer people|Nuer]], [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]], [[Kaligi people|Kaligi]] (Arabic Feroghe), and others—first entered South Sudan sometime before the tenth century, coinciding with the fall of [[medieval Nubia]]. From the 15th to the 19th century, tribal migrations, largely from the area of [[Bahr el Ghazal (region of South Sudan)|Bahr el Ghazal]], brought the Anyuak, Dinka, Nuer, and Shilluk to their modern locations in Bahr El Ghazal and the Upper Nile Region, while the Acholi and [[Bari people|Bari]] settled in [[Equatoria]]. The [[Zande people|Zande]], [[Mundu people|Mundu]], [[Avukaya]] and [[Baka people (Congo and South Sudan)|Baka]], who entered South Sudan in the 16th century, established the region's largest state of Equatoria Region.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
The Dinka is the largest, the Nuer the second-largest, the Zande the third-largest, and the Bari the fourth-largest of South Sudan's ethnic groups. They are found in the [[Maridi]], [[Yambio]], and Tombura districts in the [[tropical rainforest]] belt of [[Western Equatoria]], the Adio of Azande client in [[Yei]], [[Central Equatoria]], and [[Western Bahr el Ghazal]]. In the 18th century, the Avungara [[Sib (anthropology)|sib]] rose to power over the rest of Azande society, a domination that continued into the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Helen Chapin Metz|editor-link=Helen Chapin Metz|title=Sudan: A Country Study|chapter-url=http://countrystudies.us/sudan/11.htm|series=Area handbook series|year=1991|publisher=GPO for the Library of Congress|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-0-8444-0750-0|chapter=The Turkiyah, 1821–85|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/sudancountrystud00metz_0}}</ref> British policies favouring Christian missionaries, such as the Closed District Ordinance of 1922 (see [[History of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan]]), and geographical barriers such as the swamplands along the [[White Nile]] curtailed the spread of Islam to the south, thus allowing the southern tribes to retain much of their social and cultural heritage, as well as their political and religious institutions.
British colonial policy in Sudan had a long history of emphasizing the development of the Arab north and largely ignoring the Black African south, which lacked schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and other basic infrastructure. After Sudan's first independent elections in 1958, the continued neglect of the southern region by the [[Khartoum]] government led to uprisings, revolts, and the longest civil war on the continent.<ref>Matthew LeRiche, Matthew Arnold. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. 2012. Columbia University Press. New York. {{ISBN|978-0-231-70414-4}}</ref><ref>[[Richard Cockett]] Sudan: Darfur and the failure of an African state. 2010. Hobbs the Printers Ltd., Totten, Hampshire. {{ISBN|978-0-300-16273-8}}</ref> People affected by the violence included the [[Dinka]], [[Nuer people|Nuer]], [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]], [[Anyuak]], [[Murle people|Murle]], [[Bari]], [[Mundari people|Mundari]], [[Baka people (Congo and South Sudan)|Baka]], [[Balanda Bviri]], [[Boya people|Boya]], [[Didinga]], [[Jiye people|Jiye]], [[Kakwa people|Kakwa]], [[Kaligi people|Kaligi]], [[Kuku people|Kuku]], [[Lotuka]], [[Nilotic]], [[Toposa people|Toposa]], and [[Zande people|Zande]].<ref>Matthew LeRiche, Matthew Arnold. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. 2012. Ethnic Groups and Flashpoints. p. xv. Columbia University Press. New York. {{ISBN|978-0-231-70414-4}}</ref>
The Azande have had good relations with their neighbours, namely the [[Moru people|Moru]], [[Mundu people|Mundu]], [[Pojulu people|Pöjulu]], [[Avukaya people|Avukaya]], Baka, and the small groups in Bahr el Ghazal, due to the expansionist policy of their king [[Gbudwe]], in the 18th century. In the 19th century, the Azande fought the French, the [[Belgium|Belgians]] and the [[Muhammad Ahmed|Mahdists]] to maintain their independence. [[Ottoman Egypt]], under the rule of [[Khedive]] [[Isma'il Pasha|Ismail Pasha]], first attempted to control the region in the 1870s, establishing the province of [[Equatoria]] in the southern portion. Egypt's first appointed governor was [[Samuel Baker]], commissioned in 1869, followed by [[Charles George Gordon]] in 1874, and by [[Emin Pasha]] in 1878.<ref name="Levering Lewis 1995">{{cite book|last=Levering Lewis|first=David|title=The Race to Fashoda|publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson|place=New York|year=1995}}</ref>
The [[Muhammad Ahmed|Mahdist Revolt]] of the 1880s destabilized the nascent province, and Equatoria ceased to exist as an Egyptian outpost in 1889. Important settlements in Equatoria included [[Lado District|Lado]], [[Gondokoro]], [[Dufile]], and [[Wadelai]]. European colonial
The region has been negatively affected [[South Sudanese wars of independence|by two civil wars]] since Sudanese independence: from 1955 to 1972, the Sudanese government fought the [[Anyanya]] rebel army (Anya-Nya is a term in the [[Madi language (Sudan and Uganda)|Madi]] language which means "snake venom")<ref>Matthew LeRiche, Matthew Arnold. South Sudan: from revolution to independence. 2012. Columbia University Press. New York. p. 16 {{ISBN|978-0-231-70414-4}}</ref> during the [[First Sudanese Civil War]], followed by the [[Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement]] (SPLA/M) in the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]] for over twenty years, from 1983 to 2005. As a result, the country suffered serious neglect, a lack of infrastructure development, and major destruction and displacement. More than 2.5 million people have been killed, and millions more have become [[refugee]]s both within and outside the country.
South Sudan has an estimated population of 11 million people in 2023<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/south-sudan-population/ |title=Worldometers website, retrieved 2023-08-28 |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128010833/https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/south-sudan-population/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but, given the lack of a census in several decades, this estimate may be severely distorted. The economy is predominantly rural and relies chiefly on [[subsistence farming]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=A boost for food security in South Sudan as nine ventures bag US$200,000 in WFP-UNDP's IGNITE Food Systems Challenge |publisher=World Food Programme |date=12 May 2022 |url=https://www.wfp.org/news/boost-food-security-south-sudan-nine-ventures-bag-us200000-wfp-undps-ignite-food-systems |archive-date=3 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003030852/https://www.wfp.org/news/boost-food-security-south-sudan-nine-ventures-bag-us200000-wfp-undps-ignite-food-systems |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.unops.org/news-and-stories/stories/roads-to-food-security-in-south-sudan |title=United Nations Office for Project Services website |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921175912/https://www.unops.org/news-and-stories/stories/roads-to-food-security-in-south-sudan |url-status=live}}</ref> Around 2005, the economy began a transition from this rural dominance, and urban areas within South Sudan have seen extensive development.
===Independence (2011)===
[[File:A South Sudanese girl at independence festivities (5926735716).jpg|thumb|upright|A South Sudanese girl at independence festivities]]
Between 9 and 15 January 2011, as a consequence of the [[Comprehensive Peace Agreement]], the [[
On 9 July 2011, South Sudan became the 54th independent country in Africa<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14089843 South Sudan becomes an independent nation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213502/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14089843|date=10 October 2018}}, BBC News.</ref> (9 July is now celebrated as [[List of national independence days|Independence Day]], a national holiday<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Sudan|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/|access-date=7 July 2021|website=CIA World Factbook|archive-date=6 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706110837/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/|url-status=live}}</ref>) and since 14 July 2011, South Sudan is the 193rd member of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/381552|title=UN welcomes South Sudan as 193rd Member State|date=14 July 2011|website=UN News|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128123134/https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/381552|archive-date=28 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 July 2011, South Sudan became the 54th country to join the [[African Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.au.int/en/content/african-union-welcomes-south-sudan-54th-member-state-union|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812031145/http://www.au.int/en/content/african-union-welcomes-south-sudan-54th-member-state-union|url-status=dead|title=au.int: ''African Union Welcomes South Sudan as the 54th Member State of the Union''|archive-date=12 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=5 January 2011|title=The LRA and Sudan|
In 2011 it was reported that South Sudan was at war with at least seven armed groups in 9 of its 10 states, with tens of thousands displaced.<ref name="rebellion">{{cite news|title=South Sudan army kills fighters in clashes|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011424145446998235.html|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=24 April 2011|access-date=26 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429090553/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011424145446998235.html|archive-date=29 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The fighters accuse the government of plotting to stay in power indefinitely, not fairly representing and supporting all tribal groups while neglecting development in rural areas.<ref name="rebellion" /><ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/06/02/hundreds_of_civilian_casualties_in_s_sudan_battle/|title=Civilians dead in South Sudan battle|agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Boson Globe |date=2 June 2011|author1=Fick, Maggie|author2=Straziuso, Jason|name-list-style=amp|access-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203063545/http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/06/02/hundreds_of_civilian_casualties_in_s_sudan_battle/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
Inter-ethnic warfare in some cases predates the war of independence and is widespread. In December 2011, [[Ethnic violence in South Sudan#Murle-Nuer fighting|tribal clashes]] intensified between the [[Nuer White Army]] of the [[Luo peoples|Lou]] [[Nuer people|Nuer]] and the [[Murle people|Murle]].<ref name="aljazeera2">{{cite news|title=Thousands flee South Sudan tribal conflict|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/01/201212101840599359.html|
In March 2012, South Sudanese forces seized the [[Heglig]] oil fields in lands claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan in the province of [[South Kordofan]] after [[2012 South Sudan–Sudan border conflict|conflict with Sudanese forces]] in the South Sudanese state of [[Unity (state)|Unity]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17515209|title=Sudan and South Sudan in fierce oil border clashes|publisher=BBC News Africa|date=27 March 2012|access-date=27 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109224240/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17515209|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> South Sudan withdrew on 20 March, and the Sudanese Army entered Heglig two days later.
===
{{See also|South Sudanese Civil War}}
{{further|Ethnic violence in South Sudan}}
Line 151 ⟶ 147:
{{legend|blue|Under control of the [[Government of Sudan]]}}]]
On the 5th of September 2013, an article written by analyst Duop Chak Wuol was published by the US-based South Sudan News Agency (SSNA).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ssnanews.com/index.php/2013/09/05/the-splm-and-the-rise-of-autocracy-in-south-sudan/|title=The SPLM and the Rise of Autocracy in South Sudan|date=5 September 2013|access-date=26 December 2022|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329132518/https://ssnanews.com/index.php/2013/09/05/the-splm-and-the-rise-of-autocracy-in-south-sudan/|url-status=live}}</ref> The writer raised critical questions surrounding what he described as the rise of autocracy within the top leadership of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and warned of monumental repercussions unless the ruling elites restored the founding principles of the party. Duop also berated the ruling party, arguing that the party has replaced its founding principles with "forgotten promises and deceptions
About 400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the war,<ref>{{cite news|title=Nearly 400,000 'excess deaths' caused by South Sudan war|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-400000-excess-deaths-south-sudan-58090309|
On 20 February 2020, [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] and [[Riek Machar]] agreed to a peace deal,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51562367|title=South Sudan rivals strike power-sharing deal|date=22 February 2020|
Despite the official cessation of the civil war, violence between armed militia groups at the community level has continued in the country; according to [[Yasmin Sooka]], Chair of the Commission of Human Rights in Sudan, the level of violence "far exceeds the violence between 2013 and 2019".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-19|title=Violence in South Sudan engulfs country, 10 years after independence 'children all have guns'
=== Admission into the EAC and planned Democratic elections (2016–) ===
South Sudan acceded to the Treaty of the [[East African Community|East Africa Community]] on 15 April 2016 and became a full member on 15 August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republic of South Sudan |url=https://www.eac.int/eac-partner-states/south-sudan |access-date=2022-04-08 |publisher=East Africa Community |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604181704/https://www.eac.int/eac-partner-states/south-sudan |url-status=live}}</ref> South Sudan, [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Democratic Republic of Congo]] and [[Federal Republic of Somalia]] are the newest members of the [[East African Community]].
The [[2024 South Sudanese general election|first democratic elections in South Sudan since the start of the civil war]] were scheduled for 2023 by the peace agreement that ended the war officially, but the transitional government and opposition agreed in 2022 to move them to late 2024 instead.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-08-04|title=South Sudan again delays its 1st election, until late 2024|url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-africa-sudan-south-juba-4f35064ef1173a9e14f6e60f55d36b50|access-date=2023-02-03|publisher=Associated Press|language=en|archive-date=16 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216202810/https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-africa-sudan-south-juba-4f35064ef1173a9e14f6e60f55d36b50|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2024, Kiir's office announced that the elections would be postponed an additional two years, to December 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2024 |title=South Sudan postpones long-delayed election by two years, presidency says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-sudan-postpones-long-delayed-election-by-two-years-presidency-says-2024-09-13/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>
=== 2017 famine ===
{{Further|2017 South Sudan famine}}
On 20 February 2017, South Sudan and the United Nations declared a [[famine]] in parts of former [[Unity State]], with the warning that it could spread rapidly without further action. Over 100,000 people were affected. The [[UN World Food Programme]] said that 40% of the population of South Sudan, 4.9 million people, need food urgently.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/famine-hits-parts-south-sudan|title=Famine Hits Parts of South Sudan|date=20 February 2017|publisher=World Food Programme|access-date=21 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221105459/https://www.wfp.org/news/news-release/famine-hits-parts-south-sudan|archive-date=21 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BBC>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39025927|title=South Sudan declares famine in Unity State|publisher=BBC News|date=20 February 2017|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722044156/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39025927|archive-date=22 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> U.N. officials said that President [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] was blocking food deliveries to some areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whio.com/news/world/famine-declared-part-south-sudan-government-and/ZT9UT22sGQUWxH1w5rIjYJ/|title=Famine declared in part of South Sudan by government and UN|date=20 February 2017|publisher=WHIO|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221105314/http://www.whio.com/news/world/famine-declared-part-south-sudan-government-and/ZT9UT22sGQUWxH1w5rIjYJ/|archive-date=21 February 2017}}</ref> Furthermore, UNICEF warned that more than 1 million children in South Sudan were subjected to malnutrition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/20/africa/south-sudan-famine/index.html|title=Famine declared in South Sudan|first1=Farai|last1=Sevenzo|first2=Bryony|last2=Jones|publisher=CNN|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307014524/http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/20/africa/south-sudan-famine/index.html|archive-date=7 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
An outbreak of [[fall armyworm]] further threatened [[sorghum]] and maize production by July 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/south-sudan/news/detail-events/en/c/1145120/ |title=FAO trains village facilitators to fight Fall Armyworm in South Sudan | FAO in South Sudan | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720110207/http://www.fao.org/south-sudan/news/detail-events/en/c/1145120/ |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--==Villages==-->
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
<!--*[[Kuinger]]
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== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of South Sudan}}
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2022}}
[[File:South Sudan protected areas.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|Protected areas in South Sudan]]
South Sudan lies between latitudes [[3rd parallel north|3°]] and [[13th parallel north|13°N]], and longitudes [[24th meridian east|24°]] and [[36th meridian east|36°E]]. It is covered in tropical forest, swamps, and grassland. The [[White Nile]] passes through the country, passing by Juba.<ref name="BBC independence" /> The Sudd is formed by the [[White Nile]], known locally as the ''[[Bahr al Jabal (river)|Bahr al Jabal]]'', meaning "Mountain Sea".<ref>eg. example reference in {{cite web |title=Bahr el Jabal |url=https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bahr+al+Jabal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205203528/https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bahr+al+Jabal |archive-date=5 December 2022 |access-date=1 August 2023 |work=The Free Dictionary}}</ref>
South Sudan's protected area of [[Bandingilo National Park]] hosts the second-largest [[wildlife]] migration in the world. Surveys have revealed that [[Boma National Park]], west of the Ethiopian border, as well as the [[Sudd]] wetland and [[Southern National Park]] near the border with Congo, provided habitat for large populations of [[hartebeest]], [[kob]], [[topi]], [[African buffalo|buffalo]], elephants, giraffes, and lions.
South Sudan's forest reserves also provided habitat for [[Bongo (antelope)|bongo]], [[giant forest hog]]s, [[red river hog]]s, forest elephants, [[Common chimpanzee|chimpanzees]], and forest [[monkeys]]. Surveys begun in 2005 by [[Wildlife Conservation Society|WCS]] in partnership with the semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan revealed that significant, though diminished wildlife populations still exist, and that, astonishingly, the huge migration of 1.3 million antelopes in the southeast is substantially intact.
Habitats in the country include grasslands, high-altitude plateaus and escarpments, wooded and grassy savannas, floodplains, and wetlands. Associated wildlife species include the endemic white-eared kob and [[Nile Lechwe]], as well as elephants, giraffes, [[common eland]], [[giant eland]], [[oryx]], lions, [[Lycaon pictus|African wild dogs]], cape buffalo, and topi (locally called tiang). Little is known about the white-eared kob and tiang, both types of [[antelope]], whose magnificent migrations were legendary before the civil war. The Boma-Jonglei Landscape region encompasses Boma National Park, broad pasturelands and floodplains, Bandingilo National Park, and the Sudd, a vast area of swamp and seasonally flooded grasslands that includes the Zeraf Wildlife Reserve.
[[File:Судд.jpg|thumb|Settlement on [[Sudd]] flooded grassland]]
Little is known of the fungi of South Sudan. A list of fungi in Sudan was prepared by S. A. J. Tarr and published by the then [[Commonwealth Mycological Institute]] (Kew, Surrey, UK) in 1955. The list, of 383 species in 175 genera, included all fungi observed within the then boundaries of the country. Many of those records relate to what is now South Sudan. Most of the species recorded were associated with diseases of crops. The true number of species of fungi in South Sudan is probably much higher.
In 2006, President Kiir announced that his government would do everything possible to protect and propagate South Sudanese fauna and flora, and seek to reduce the effects of wildfires, waste dumping, and water pollution. The environment is threatened by the development of the economy and infrastructure. The country had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 9.45/10, ranking it fourth globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Several [[ecoregion]]s extend across South Sudan: the [[East Sudanian savanna]], [[Northern Congolian forest–savanna mosaic]], [[Saharan flooded grasslands]] (Sudd), [[Sahelian Acacia savanna]], [[East African montane forests]], and the [[Northern Acacia–Commiphora bushlands and thickets]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Burgess|first1=Neil|first2=Jennifer|last2=D'Amico Hales|first3=Emma|last3=Underwood|year=2004|title=Terrestrial Ecoregions of Africa and Madagascar: A Conservation Assessment|publisher=Island Press|place=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-1-55963-364-2}}</ref>
=== Climate ===
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map SSD present.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|South Sudan map of Köppen climate classification]]
{{See also|2024 South Sudan floods}}
South Sudan has a tropical climate, characterized by a rainy season of high humidity and large amounts of rainfall followed by a drier season. The temperature on average is always high with July being the coolest month with average temperatures falling between {{convert|68|and|86|F|C|order=flip}} and March being the warmest month with average temperatures ranging from {{convert|73|to|98|F|C|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Juba,Sudan|title=Average weather in Juba, Sudan|work=weather-and-climate.com|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915023106/http://www.weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Juba,Sudan|archive-date=15 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
The most rainfall is seen between May and October, but the rainy season can commence in April and extend until November. On average May is the wettest month. The season is "influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Zone"<ref name="factbook" /> and the shift to southerly and southwesterly winds leading to slightly lower temperatures, higher humidity, and more cloud coverage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/373303|title=Weather: Juba|publisher=BBC|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213155823/http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/373303|archive-date=13 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Wildlife===
{{Main|Wildlife of South Sudan}}
== Government and politics ==
Line 165 ⟶ 203:
=== Government ===
{{Redirect|GoSS|other uses|Goss (disambiguation){{!}}Goss}}
[[File:President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Salva Kiir Mayardit]], the first President of South Sudan. His trademark [[Stetson|Stetson hat]] was a gift from United States President [[George W. Bush]].]]
[[File:South Sudan Independence.jpg|thumb|South Sudan's presidential guard on Independence Day, 2011]]
The now
The constitution establishes a [[presidential system]] of government headed by a [[President (government title)|president]] who is [[head of state]], [[head of government]], and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. It also establishes the [[National Legislature of South Sudan|National Legislature]] comprising two houses: a directly elected assembly, the [[National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan|National Legislative Assembly]], and a second chamber of representatives of the states, the [[Council of States of South Sudan|Council of States]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Henneberg|first=Ingo|date=2013|title=Das politische System des Südsudan|language=German|trans-title=The Political System of South Sudan|journal=Verfassung und Recht in Übersee / Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America|volume=46|issue=2|pages=174–196|doi=10.5771/0506-7286-2013-2-174|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305220861|url-status=live|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618125722/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305220861_The_Political_System_of_South_Sudan_2011_p_196|archive-date=18 June 2018|doi-access=free}}</ref>
[[John Garang]], one of the founders of the SPLA/M, was the president of the autonomous government until his death on 30 July 2005. [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]],<ref name="factbook">{{cite web |date=11 July 2011 |title=South Sudan |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/ |access-date=14 July 2011 |work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[CIA]] |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706110837/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/ |url-status=live}}</ref> his deputy, was sworn in as [[List of Vice Presidents of Sudan|First Vice President of Sudan]] and [[List of presidents of South Sudan|President of the Government of Southern Sudan]] on 11 August 2005. [[Riek Machar]]<ref name="factbook" /> replaced him as [[List of Vice-Presidents of the Government of South Sudan|Vice-President of the Government]]. Legislative power is vested in the government and the bicameral National Legislature. The constitution also provides for an independent judiciary, the highest organ being the [[Supreme court|Supreme Court]].
On 8 May 2021, South Sudan President [[Salva Kiir]] announced a dissolution of Parliament as part of a 2018 peace deal to set up a new legislative body that will number 550 lawmakers.<ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan president dissolves parliament as part of peace deal|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/9/south-sudan-president-dissolves-parliament-as-part-of-peace-deal|
[[File:South Sudan 003.jpg|thumb|A young South Sudanese girl smiling in traditional attire]]
The capital of South Sudan is located at [[Juba]], which is also the state capital of [[Central Equatoria]] and the county seat of the eponymous [[Juba County]], and is the country's largest city. However, due to Juba's poor infrastructure and massive urban growth, as well as its lack of centrality within South Sudan, the South Sudanese Government adopted a resolution in February 2011 to study the creation of a new [[planned city]] to serve as the seat of government.<ref name="rnw">{{cite news|url=http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/new-capital-city-south-sudan|agency=Radio Netherlands|date=6 February 2011|access-date=24 July 2011|title=New capital city for South Sudan?|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629133501/http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/new-capital-city-south-sudan|archive-date=29 June 2012}}</ref><ref name="sudtrib">{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-to-establish-a-new,37886|
In September 2011, a spokesman for the government said the country's political leaders had accepted a proposal to build a new capital at Ramciel,<ref name="relocate">{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-relocates-its-capital,40027|
=== States ===
==== 2011–2015 ====
[[File:SouthSudanStates.svg|thumb
Prior to 2015, South Sudan was divided into
;[[Bahr el Ghazal (region of South Sudan)|Bahr el Ghazal]]
Line 200 ⟶ 239:
*[[Jonglei]]
*[[Unity (state)|Unity]]
*[[Upper Nile (state)|
The [[Abyei]] Area, a small region of Sudan bordering on the South Sudanese states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, and
==== 2015–2020 ====
[[File:South Sudan-32 States.png|thumb
In October 2015, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir issued a decree establishing
;Bar el Ghazal
Line 232 ⟶ 271:
#[[Yei River State|Yei River]]
;Greater Upper Nile region
#[[Boma State|Boma]]
#[[Central
#[[Akobo State|Akobo]]
#[[Northern
#[[Jonglei|Jonglei State]]
#[[Latjoor]]
#[[Maiwut State|Maiwut]]
#[[Northern Liech]]
#[[Ruweng
#[[Southern Liech]]
#[[Bieh State|Bieh]]
Line 247 ⟶ 286:
#[[Fangak State]]
On 14 January 2017 another four states were created; Central
====2020–present====
{{Main|States of South Sudan}}
[[File:SouthSudanStatesandAdministrativeAreas.svg|thumb|
Under the terms of a peace agreement signed on 22 February 2020, South Sudan is again divided into ten states, with two administrative areas and one area with special administrative status.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/6-years-war-peace-finally-south-sudan-200223114919537.html|title=After 6 years of war, will peace finally come to South Sudan?|publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=24 February 2020|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820130930/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/6-years-war-peace-finally-south-sudan-200223114919537.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=d e k u e k |user=dekuekd |number=1228596792155000833 |date=15 February 2020 |title=So it has been decided that #SouthSudan shall revert to 10 states plus Abyei, Pibor and Ruweng Administrative Areas.‌ |access-date=24 May 2020|archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215082944/https://twitter.com/dekuekd/status/1228596792155000833 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The [[Kafia Kingi]] area is disputed between South Sudan and Sudan and the [[Ilemi Triangle]] is disputed between South Sudan and Kenya.
The
;[[Bahr el Ghazal (region of South Sudan)|Bahr el Ghazal]]
Line 273 ⟶ 311:
*[[Jonglei]]
*[[Unity (state)|Unity]]
*[[Upper Nile (state)|Upper Nile]] (Rol Naath)
;Administrative Areas
*[[Greater Pibor Administrative Area]]
*[[Ruweng Administrative Area]] (Rubkotna)
;Special Administrative Status Areas
*[[Abyei|Abyei Special Administrative Area]]
===
{{Main|
[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With South Sudan President Kiir (3).jpg|thumb|U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] meets with President [[Salva Kiir Mayardit|Salva Kiir]], 26 [[May]] 2013.]]
Since [[independence]], relations with [[Sudan]] have been changing. Sudan's [[President of Sudan|President]] [[Omar al-Bashir]] first announced, in [[January]] 2011, that dual citizenship in the North and the South would be allowed,<ref name="BBC independence">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12144675|title=Southern Sudan votes on independence|author=Ross, Will|publisher=BBC News |date=9 January 2011|access-date=2 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401085955/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12144675|archive-date=1 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> but upon the independence of South Sudan he retracted the offer. He has also suggested an EU-style confederation.<ref name="BBC 9 July">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14089843|title=South Sudan becomes an independent nation|publisher=BBC News|date=9 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709112842/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14089843|archive-date=9 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Essam Sharaf]], Prime Minister of [[Egypt]] after the [[Egyptian revolution of 2011|2011 Egyptian Revolution]], made his first foreign visit to [[Khartoum]] and [[Juba]] in the lead-up to South Sudan's secession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1041/eg1.htm|title=AlAhram Weekly – Heading for headwaters|publisher=Weekly.ahram.org.eg|date=6 April 2011|access-date=2 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023114713/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1041/eg1.htm|archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref> Israel quickly recognized South Sudan as an independent country,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lior|first=Ilan|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-israel-recognizes-south-sudan-as-independent-state-1.372460|title=Netanyahu: Israel recognizes South Sudan as independent state|work=Haaretz|date=10 July 2011|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221180853/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-israel-recognizes-south-sudan-as-independent-state-1.372460|archive-date=21 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and is host to thousands of [[Sudanese refugees in Israel|refugees from South Sudan]], many of whom have finally been granted temporary resident status more than a decade later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-23/ty-article/.premium/israels-supreme-court-rules-sudanese-asylum-seekers-be-granted-temporary-resident-status/0000018d-3733-d32b-adcf-f773bdcf0000|title=After Decade-long Delay, Israel's Supreme Court Rules Sudanese Asylum Seekers Must Be Granted Temporary Resident Status|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=23 January 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240123191942/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-23/ty-article/.premium/israels-supreme-court-rules-sudanese-asylum-seekers-be-granted-temporary-resident-status/0000018d-3733-d32b-adcf-f773bdcf0000|archive-date=23 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> According to American sources, President Obama officially recognised the new state after [[Sudan]], [[Egypt]], [[Germany]] and [[Kenya]] were among the first to recognise the country's [[independence]] on 8 July 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-usa-obama-idUSTRE76817120110709|title=Obama grants U.S. recognition of South Sudan|publisher=Reuters|first=Matt|last=Spetalnick|date=9 July 2011|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028201754/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-usa-obama-idUSTRE76817120110709|archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>D. H. Johnson, ''The Root Causes of Sudan's Civil Wars''</ref> Several states that participated in the international negotiations concluded with a self-determination referendum were also quick to acknowledge the overwhelming result. The Rationalist process included [[Kenya]], [[Uganda]], [[Egypt]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Libya]], [[Eritrea]], the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Norway]].<ref>{{ citation |first=Fernando |last=Prieto |title=Did the US act as a 'defensive-positionalist' power and was it primary moved by local and regional stability concerns when it recognized South Sudan in 2011? |work=Research Study SIS 686 |date=18 November 2014}}</ref>{{efn| See table in [[Foreign relations of South Sudan]] with footnotes for early recognition countries.}}
South Sudan is a member state of the United Nations,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14151390|publisher=BBC News|date=14 July 2011|access-date=14 July 2011|title=UN welcomes South Sudan as 193rd member|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714202229/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14151390|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[African Union]],<ref name="au54" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.au.int/en/content/peace-and-security-council-african-union-au-its-285th-meeting-held-13-july-2011-was-briefe-1|date=13 July 2011|access-date=15 July 2011|title=The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 285th meeting held on 13 July 2011, was briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the accession to independence of the Republic of South Sudan|publisher=African Union|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504162230/http://www.au.int/en/content/peace-and-security-council-african-union-au-its-285th-meeting-held-13-july-2011-was-briefe-1|archive-date=4 May 2012}}</ref> the [[East African Community]],<ref name="en.igihe.com" /><ref name="bw1">{{cite web|url=http://www.busiweek.com/11/editorial/editorial/1316-welcome-south-sudan-to-eac|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927010848/http://www.busiweek.com/11/editorial/editorial/1316-welcome-south-sudan-to-eac|archive-date=27 September 2011|work=East African Business Week|title=Welcome South Sudan to EAC!|date=10 July 2011|access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="sudantribune1">{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-avails-new-foreign,39637|work=Sudan Tribune|title=South Sudan avails new foreign policy, to open 54 embassies|date=25 July 2011|access-date=6 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110729051637/https://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-avails-new-foreign,39637|archive-date=29 July 2011}}</ref> and the [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid={62d78860-a792-475c-bff9-0722d5d61d3e}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403034148/http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid=%7B62d78860-a792-475c-bff9-0722d5d61d3e%7D|archive-date=3 April 2012|work=MENAFN.com|title=COMESA Welcomes New Member|date=31 October 2011|access-date=13 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> South Sudan plans to join the [[Commonwealth of Nations]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://talkofsudan.com/sudan/item/9001-south-sudan-launches-bid-to-join-commonwealth|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712044345/http://talkofsudan.com/sudan/item/9001-south-sudan-launches-bid-to-join-commonwealth|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 July 2011|agency=Gurtong News |work=Talk of Sudan|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|title=South Sudan Launches Bid to Join Commonwealth}}</ref> the [[International Monetary Fund]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2011/pr11145.htm|publisher=International Monetary Fund|title=IMF Receives Membership Application from South Sudan, Seeks Contributions to Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Help New Country|date=20 April 2011|access-date=10 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424085250/http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2011/pr11145.htm|archive-date=24 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> [[OPEC Plus|OPEC+]], and the [[World Bank]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://finchannel.com/news_flash/World/90526_World_Bank_Group_Congratulates_People_of_South_Sudan_on_Independence/|work=The Financial|date=9 July 2011|access-date=10 July 2011|title=World Bank Group Congratulates People of South Sudan on Independence|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711063900/http://finchannel.com/news_flash/World/90526_World_Bank_Group_Congratulates_People_of_South_Sudan_on_Independence/|archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> Some international trade organizations categorize South Sudan as part of the [[Greater Horn of Africa]].<ref>Maxwell, Daniel, and Ben Watkins. "Humanitarian information systems and emergencies in the Greater Horn of Africa: logical components and logical linkages". ''Disasters'' 27.1 (2003): 72–90.</ref>
Full membership in the [[Arab League]] has been assured, should the country's government choose to seek it,<ref name="sdntribuneArabLg">{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-entitled-to-join-Arab,39193|work=Sudan Tribune|date=12 June 2011|access-date=8 July 2011|title=South Sudan "entitled to join Arab League"|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629062631/https://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-entitled-to-join-Arab,39193|archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> though it could also opt for observer status.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1055/re10.htm|work=Al-Ahram|date=7 July 2011|access-date=8 July 2011|title=Hoping for the best|first=Asmaa|last=El-Husseini|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711201000/http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2011/1055/re10.htm|archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> It was admitted to UNESCO on 3 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gossmission.org/goss/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1263&Itemid=1|title=South Sudan is UNESCO's 194th member|publisher=Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in Washington, D.C.|date=3 November 2011|access-date=1 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129094633/http://www.gossmission.org/goss/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1263&Itemid=1|archive-date=29 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 25 November 2011, it officially joined the [[Intergovernmental Authority on Development]], a regional grouping of [[East Africa]]n states.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE7AO0A820111125|publisher=Reuters|date=25 November 2011|access-date=25 November 2011|title=East African bloc admits South Sudan as member|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505123658/http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE7AO0A820111125|archive-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The United States supported the 2011 referendum on South Sudan's independence. ''The New York Times'' reported, "South Sudan is in many ways an American creation, carved out of war-torn Sudan in a referendum largely orchestrated by the United States, its fragile institutions nurtured with billions of dollars in American aid."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/04/us/politics/us-is-facing-hard-choices-in-south-sudan.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=3 January 2014|title=U.S. Is Facing Hard Choices in South Sudan|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131143757/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/04/us/politics/us-is-facing-hard-choices-in-south-sudan.html|archive-date=31 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The U.S. government's long-standing sanctions against Sudan were officially removed from applicability to newly independent South Sudan in December 2011, and senior RSS officials participated in a high-level international engagement conference in Washington, D.C., to help connect foreign investors with the RSS and South Sudanese private sector representatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2013/204855.htm|title=South Sudan|publisher=U.S. State Department |access-date=21 December 2013|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807201109/https://2009-2017.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2013/204855.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Given the interdependence between some sectors of the economy of the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan, certain activities still require OFAC authorization. Absent a licence, current Sudanese sanction regulations will continue to prohibit U.S. persons from dealing in property and interests that benefit Sudan or the Government of Sudan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://southsudan.usembassy.gov/business/doing-business-in-south-sudan.html|title=Doing Business in South Sudan | Embassy of the United States Juba, South Sudan|publisher=Southsudan.usembassy.gov|access-date=21 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101030038/http://southsudan.usembassy.gov/business/doing-business-in-south-sudan.html|archive-date=1 January 2014}}</ref> A 2011 Congressional Research Service report, "The Republic of South Sudan: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa's Newest Country", identifies outstanding political and humanitarian issues as the country forges its future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/170506.pdf|title=Republic of South Sudan: Opportunities and Challenges for Africa's Newest Country|publisher=Congressional Research Service|author=Dagne, Ted|year=2011|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201101335/https://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/170506.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
In July 2019, UN ambassadors of 37 countries, including South Sudan, signed a joint letter to the [[UNHRC]] defending China's treatment of [[Uyghurs]] in the [[Xinjiang]] region.<ref>{{cite news|title=Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/which-countries-are-for-or-against-chinas-xinjiang-policies/|work=[[The Diplomat]]|date=15 July 2019|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716160658/https://thediplomat.com/2019/07/which-countries-are-for-or-against-chinas-xinjiang-policies/|archive-date=16 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
The UAE lent South Sudan $12 billion for a period of 20 years. The loan agreement was signed between South Sudan and an Emirati firm owned by Hamad bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the sources of whose wealth and investments have been suspicions during the failed takeover of Beitar Jerusalem FC. The loan deposit was directed to an Emirati bank account, of which 70% were allocated to infrastructure facilities. As per the agreement, South Sudan was to repay by the means of oil shipments, priced at $10 per barrel less than its market value. Additional oil shipments were agreed in case of decrease in oil prices. The agreement took no account of the Sudan war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2024 |title=South Sudan's $12 billion loan from UAE sparks public debate |url=https://sudantribune.com/article285051/ |website=Sudan Tribune |access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eltayeb |first=Amgad Fareid |date=May 1, 2024 |title=Opinion: How the UAE's mafia-style tactics are hurting both Sudans |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/346345/opinion-how-the-uaes-mafia-style-tactics-are-hurting-both-sudans/ |website=The Africa Report |access-date=May 22, 2024 |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520022311/https://www.theafricareport.com/346345/opinion-how-the-uaes-mafia-style-tactics-are-hurting-both-sudans/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Military ===
{{Main|South Sudan People's Defence Forces}}
A Defence paper was initiated in 2007 by then Minister for SPLA Affairs [[Dominic Dim Deng]], and a draft was produced in 2008. It declared that [[Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)|Southern Sudan]] would eventually maintain land, air, and riverine forces.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article27642|title=Juba parliament authorizes establishment of South Sudan air force|date=25 June 2008|work=[[Sudan Tribune]]|access-date=24 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116123534/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article27642|archive-date=16 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aircraft.zurf.info/article/creation-south-sudan-air-force|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212205613/http://aircraft.zurf.info/article/creation-south-sudan-air-force|archive-date=12 February 2011|title=Creation of the South Sudan Air Force|date=9 January 2011|work=aircraft.zurf.info}}</ref>
=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in South Sudan}}
Campaigns of atrocities against civilians have been attributed to the SPLA.<ref name="Al Jazeera">{{cite news|title=Sudan: Transcending tribe|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_galleries/africa/201111010324526960.html|publisher=Al Jazeera English|access-date=30 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317113359/http://english.aljazeera.net//photo_galleries/africa/201111010324526960.html|archive-date=17 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In the SPLA/M's attempt to disarm rebellions among the [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]] and [[Murle people|Murle]], they burned scores of villages, [[rape]]d hundreds of women and girls and killed an untold number of civilians.<ref name="aljazeera">{{cite news|title=Sudan: Transcending tribe|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_galleries/africa/201111010324526960.html|
The UN reports many of these violations and the frustrated director of one Juba-based international aid agency calls them "human rights abuses off the [[Richter scale]]".<ref name="aljazeera" /> In 2010, the [[CIA]] issued a warning that "over the next five years
Peter Abdul Rahaman Sule, the leader of the key opposition group [[United Democratic Front (Sudan)|United Democratic Forum]], has been under arrest since 3 November 2011 over allegations linking him to the formation of a new rebel group fighting against the government.<ref>{{cite news|title=S. Sudan's opposition leader arrested over rebel links|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/Breaking-News-S-Sudan-s-opposition,40624|work=Sudan Tribune|date=4 November 2011|access-date=17 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704181314/http://www.sudantribune.com/Breaking-News-S-Sudan-s-opposition,40624|archive-date=4 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan arrests opposition leader turned rebel|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/11/04/175465.html|publisher=AlArabiya|date=4 November 2011|access-date=17 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219001953/http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/11/04/175465.html|archive-date=19 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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The [[child marriage]] rate in South Sudan is 52%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrw.org/child-marriage-facts-and-figures|title=Child Marriage Facts and Figures|access-date=1 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828070027/https://www.icrw.org/child-marriage-facts-and-figures/|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[LGBT rights in South Sudan|Homosexual acts]] are illegal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/|title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=16 June 2016|access-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111064457/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/|archive-date=11 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
Recruitment of [[child soldier]]s has also been cited as a serious problem in the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29762263|title=Child soldiers still being recruited in South Sudan|
The United Nations rights office has described the situation in the country as "one of the most horrendous [[human rights]] situations in the world". It accused the army and allied militias of allowing fighters to rape women as form of payment for fighting, as well as raid cattle in an agreement of "do what you can, take what you can."<ref name="globalpost">{{cite news|url=http://www.globalpost.com/article/6744906/2016/03/11/s-sudan-lets-fighters-rape-women-place-wages|title=South Sudan lets fighters rape women as payment|publisher=
On 22 December 2017, at the conclusion of a 12-day visit to the region, the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan said, "Four years following the start of the current conflict in South Sudan, gross human rights violations continue to be committed in a widespread way by all parties to the conflict, in which civilians are bearing the brunt."<ref name="ohchr.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22562&LangID=E|title=OHCHR – UN human rights experts call for perpetrators of widespread human rights violations to be brought to justice in South Sudan|
==
{{Main|
{{See also|List of companies based in South Sudan}}
[[File:Loka west teak.jpg|thumb|right|Loka Teaks is the largest [[teak]] [[plantation]] in Africa.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}]]
The [[economy]] of South Sudan is one of the world's most underdeveloped,<ref name="Economist 2023-12-20">{{Cite news |date=2023-12-20 |title=On safari in the world's most dangerous country |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/interactive/christmas-specials/2023/12/20/on-safari-in-the-worlds-most-dangerous-county |access-date=2024-01-03 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103161027/https://www.economist.com/interactive/christmas-specials/2023/12/20/on-safari-in-the-worlds-most-dangerous-county |url-status=live}}</ref> with South Sudan having little existing [[infrastructure]] and the highest maternal mortality and female illiteracy rates in the world {{As of|2011|lc=y}}.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news|title=South Sudanese celebrate the birth of their nation|first1=Nima|last1=Elbagir|first2=Faith|last2=Karimi|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/09/sudan.new.nation/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=9 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710164855/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/09/sudan.new.nation/index.html|archive-date=10 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> South Sudan exports timber to the [[Global marketing|international market]]. The [[region]] also contains many [[natural resource]]s such as [[petroleum]], [[iron ore]], [[copper]], [[chromium]] ore, [[zinc]], [[tungsten]], [[mica]], [[silver]], [[gold]], [[diamonds]], [[hardwoods]], [[limestone]] and [[hydropower]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2111.html|title=Natural resources|work=CIA World Factbook|access-date=2 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129052947/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2111.html|archive-date=29 January 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The country's [[economy]], as in many other developing [[Country|countries]], is heavily [[Dependant|dependent]] on [[agriculture]].
Other than natural resources-based companies, other such organisations include [[Southern Sudan Beverages Limited]], a subsidiary of [[SABMiller]].
=== Oil ===
The oilfields in South Sudan have been significant to the economy since the latter part of the 20th century. In 2023, oil constitutes more than 90% of state revenues.<ref name="Economist 2023-12-20" /> The country has the third-largest [[oil reserves]] in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]].<ref name="oil" /> However, after South Sudan became an independent nation in July 2011, southern and northern negotiators were not immediately able to reach an agreement on how to split the revenue from these southern oilfields.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/world/africa/10sudan.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=2&adxnnlx=1310234502-5nvX4GUBg0fK28Wp4PYaEA|title=After Years of Struggle, South Sudan Becomes a New Nation|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=9 July 2011|first=Jeffrey|last=Gettleman|access-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222195809/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/world/africa/10sudan.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=2&adxnnlx=1310234502-5nvX4GUBg0fK28Wp4PYaEA|archive-date=22 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Sudan Map Oelgas.png|thumb|upright=1.15|Oil and gas concessions in Sudan – 2004]]
It is estimated that South Sudan has around 4 times the oil deposits of Sudan. The oil revenues, according to the [[Comprehensive Peace Agreement]] (CPA), were split equally for the duration of the agreement period.<ref name="pulitzercenter.org" /> Since South Sudan relies on pipelines, [[oil refinery|refineries]], and [[Port Sudan]]'s facilities in [[Red Sea (state)|Red Sea]] state in Sudan, the agreement stated that the [[government of Sudan|government]] of Sudan in [[Khartoum]] would receive a 50% share of all oil revenues.<ref name="pulitzercenter.org">{{cite web|first=Rebecca|last=Hamilton|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/articles/southern-sudanese-say-independence-vote-will-improve-life|title=Southern Sudanese Independence: High Hopes, Huge Obstacles|publisher=Pulitzer Center|date=28 November 2010|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425010705/http://pulitzercenter.org/articles/southern-sudanese-say-independence-vote-will-improve-life|archive-date=25 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hours">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/southern-sudan-independence-2011-7|website=Business Insider|title=Oil-Rich South Sudan Has Hours To Choose Between North Sudan, China and the U.S|first=Vincent|last=Trivett|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710020507/http://www.businessinsider.com/southern-sudan-independence-2011-7|archive-date=10 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> This arrangement was maintained during the [[Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan|second period of autonomy]] from 2005 to 2011.
In the run up to independence, northern negotiators reportedly pressed for a deal maintaining the 50–50 split of oil revenues, while the South Sudanese were holding out for more favourable terms.<ref name="hours" /> Oil revenues constitute more than 98% of the government of South Sudan's budget according to the southern government's Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and this has amounted to more than $8 billion in revenue since the signing of the peace agreement.<ref name="pulitzercenter.org" />
After independence, South Sudan objected to Sudan charging US$34 per [[Barrel (unit)|barrel]] to transport oil through the pipeline to the oil terminal at Port Sudan. With production of around 30,000 barrels per day, this was costing over a million dollars per day. In January 2012, South Sudan suspended oil production, causing a dramatic reduction in revenue and food costs to rise by 120%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/happy-birthday-south-sudan-7912244.html|title=Happy Birthday South Sudan?|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|first=Ros|last=Wynne-Jones|date=7 July 2012|access-date=9 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709013201/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/happy-birthday-south-sudan-7912244.html|archive-date=9 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, [[Nile Drilling & Services]] became South Sudan's first locally owned and run petroleum drilling company.
[[China National Petroleum Corporation]] (CNPC) is a major investor in South Sudan's oil sector.<ref name="oil">"[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-southsudan-unrest-china-idUSBRE9BJ0FV20131220 China to evacuate South Sudan oil workers to capital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924191913/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/20/us-southsudan-unrest-china-idUSBRE9BJ0FV20131220|date=24 September 2015}}". Reuters. 20 December 2013.</ref> South Sudan's economy is under pressure to diversify away from oil as oil reserves will likely halve by 2020 if no new finds are made, according to the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://farmlandgrab.org/post/view/19806|title=S.Sudan seeks food and farmland investments|agency=Reuters|date=23 December 2011|access-date=15 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121032826/http://farmlandgrab.org/post/view/19806|archive-date=21 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=August 2023}}
=== Debt ===
In terms of South Sudan's external debt, Sudan and South Sudan maintain a shared debt of approximately US$38 billion, all of which has accumulated throughout the past five decades.<ref>{{cite web|last=Badawi|first=Ahmad|date=3 October 2011|url=http://africanarguments.org/2011/10/03/a-greek-tragedy-is-sudan%E2%80%99s-woe-sudan-should-be-relieved-of-foreign-debt-by-ahmed-badawi/|title=A Greek Tragedy is Sudan's Woe: Sudan Must be Relieved of Foreign Debt Quickly|publisher=African Arguments|access-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329101159/http://africanarguments.org/2011/10/03/a-greek-tragedy-is-sudan%e2%80%99s-woe-sudan-should-be-relieved-of-foreign-debt-by-ahmed-badawi/|archive-date=29 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Though a small portion of this debt is owed to such international institutions as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (approximately US$5.3 billion according to a 2009 report provided by the Bank of Sudan), the bulk of its debt load is actually owed to numerous foreign actors that have provided the nation with financial loans, including the [[Paris Club]] (over US$11 billion) and also non-Paris Club bilateral creditors (over US$13 billion).<ref>{{cite web|last=Leo|first=Benjamin|year=2009|url=http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/1424644|title=Sudan Debt Dynamics: Status Quo, Southern Secession, Debt Division, and Oil – a Financial Framework for the Future|publisher=Center for Global Development|access-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512004905/http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/1424644|archive-date=12 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Paris Club refers to an informal group of financial officials from 19 of the world's most influential economies, including such member nations as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Canada, while non-Paris Club bilateral creditors refers to any entity that does not enjoy permanent/associated status as a Paris Club member.<ref>{{cite web|year=2012|url=http://www.clubdeparis.org/sections/composition/membres-permanents-et/membres-permanents|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628015530/http://www.clubdeparis.org/sections/composition/membres-permanents-et/membres-permanents|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 June 2009|title=Permanent Members|publisher=Paris Club}}</ref> Private bilateral creditors (i.e. private commercial banks and private credit suppliers) account for the majority of the remainder (approximately US$6 billion of the total debt).<ref>{{cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Medani|year=2008|url=http://www.cmi.no/publications/file/3080-external-debts-growth-and-peace-in-the-sudan.pdf|title=External Debts, Growth and Peace in the Sudan|publisher=CHR. Michelsen Institute|access-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607171151/http://www.cmi.no/publications/file/3080-external-debts-growth-and-peace-in-the-sudan.pdf|archive-date=7 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== East African Community membership ===
The presidents of Kenya and Rwanda invited the [[Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan]] to apply for membership to the [[East African Community]] upon the independence of South Sudan in 2011,<ref name="en.igihe.com">{{cite news|url=http://en.igihe.com/spip.php?article455|publisher=IGIHE|title=South Sudan: Big trading potential for EAC|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111173803/http://en.igihe.com/spip.php?article455|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201107090046.html|website=allAfrica|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|title=South Sudan: Rwanda Hopeful of South's Strategic Link to North Africa|first=Magnus|last=Mazimpaka|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711130747/http://allafrica.com/stories/201107090046.html|archive-date=11 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and South Sudan was reportedly an applicant country as of mid-July 2011.<ref name="en.igihe.com" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.busiweek.com/11/editorial/editorial/1316-welcome-south-sudan-to-eac|work=East African Business Week|title=Welcome South Sudan to EAC!|date=10 July 2011|access-date=10 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927010848/http://www.busiweek.com/11/editorial/editorial/1316-welcome-south-sudan-to-eac|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> Analysts suggested that South Sudan's early efforts to integrate infrastructure, including [[rail transport in South Sudan|rail links]] and oil pipelines,<ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan to link to Kenya oil pipeline|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFLAE63689720110706|access-date=19 October 2011|publisher=Reuters|date=6 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514061706/http://af.reuters.com/article/sudanNews/idAFLAE63689720110706|archive-date=14 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> with systems in Kenya and Uganda indicated intention on the part of [[Juba, South Sudan|Juba]] to pivot away from dependence on [[Sudan]] and toward the EAC.
On 17 September 2011, the ''[[Daily Nation]]'' quoted a South Sudanese MP as saying that while his government was eager to join the EAC, it would likely delay its membership over concerns that its economy was not sufficiently developed to compete with EAC member states and could become a "dumping ground" for Kenyan, Tanzanian, and Ugandan exports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/South+Sudan+delays+membership+in+regional+bloc++/-/1066/1238078/-/s3w8wbz/-/|work=Daily Nation|first=Machel|last=Amos|title=South Sudan delays membership in regional bloc|date=17 September 2011|access-date=18 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018020405/http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/South+Sudan+delays+membership+in+regional+bloc++/-/1066/1238078/-/s3w8wbz/-/|archive-date=18 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> This was contradicted by President [[Salva Kiir]], who announced South Sudan had officially embarked on the application process one month later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.busiweek.com/11/the-eac-issues/eac-news/1891-south-sudan-readies-for-eac-membership|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021011844/http://www.busiweek.com/11/the-eac-issues/eac-news/1891-south-sudan-readies-for-eac-membership|url-status=dead|title=South Sudan readies for EAC membership|archive-date=21 October 2011}}</ref> The application was initially deferred by the EAC in December 2012,<ref name=SS2EAC>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-09/10/c_132705919.htm|title=Uganda says South Sudan likely to join EAC in 2014|publisher=Xinhua News Agency|date=9 September 2013|access-date=17 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114233621/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2013-09/10/c_132705919.htm|archive-date=14 November 2013}}</ref> and incidents with Ugandan [[boda-boda]] operators in South Sudan created political tension.<ref name=UQSS2EAC>{{cite news|url=http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ugandan-mps-oppose-south-sudan-joining-east-african-community.html|title=Ugandan MPs oppose South Sudan joining East African community|work=The Africa Report|date=7 October 2013|access-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018075530/http://www.theafricareport.com/East-Horn-Africa/ugandan-mps-oppose-south-sudan-joining-east-african-community.html|archive-date=18 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
In December 2012, Tanzania officially agreed to South Sudan's bid to join the EAC, clearing the way for the world's newest state to become the regional bloc's sixth member.<ref name="Tanzania warms up to South Sudan">{{cite news|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Tanzania-warms-up-to-South-Sudan-membership-/-/2558/1639636/-/viwjrjz/-/index.html|title=Tanzania warms up to South Sudan membership|work=The EastAfrican|date=8 December 2012|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201224927/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Tanzania-warms-up-to-South-Sudan-membership-/-/2558/1639636/-/viwjrjz/-/index.html|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2013, the EAC set aside $82,000 for the admission process. Starting after the EAC Council of Ministers meeting in August 2013, was projected to take at least four years. At the 14th Ordinary Summit held in Nairobi in 2012, EAC heads of state approved the verification report that was presented by the Council of Ministers, then directed it to start the negotiation process with South Sudan.<ref name="EAC prepares to admit South Sudan">{{cite news|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/EAC-prepares-to-admit-South-Sudan--/-/2558/1849526/-/ao63gfz/-/index.html|title=EAC prepares to admit South Sudan|work=The EastAfrican|date=11 May 2013|access-date=21 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201224932/https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/EAC-prepares-to-admit-South-Sudan--/-/2558/1849526/-/ao63gfz/-/index.html|archive-date=1 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
A team was formed to assess South Sudan's bid; however, in April 2014, the nation requested a delay in the admissions process, presumably due to [[South Sudanese Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201312051231.html|title=allAfrica.com: East Africa: EAC to Decide On South Sudan Admission by April 2014|work=allAfrica.com|access-date=9 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518125004/http://allafrica.com/stories/201312051231.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="observer">{{cite web|title=South Sudan defers EAC admission|url=http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31578:-south-sudan-defers-eac-admission&catid=34:news&Itemid=114 |work=The Observer |date=5 May 2014 |access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222918/http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31578:-south-sudan-defers-eac-admission&catid=34:news&Itemid=114|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
South Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, claimed publicly in October 2015 that, following unpublished evaluations and meetings of a special technical committee in May, June, August, September and October, the committee has recommended that South Sudan be allowed to join the East African Community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201511090602.html|title=East Africa: South Sudan's Push to Join EAC Gains Momentum|date=7 November 2015|access-date=14 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022557/http://allafrica.com/stories/201511090602.html|archive-date=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
South Sudan was eventually approved for membership in [[East African Community]] in March 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nation.co.ke/business/South-Sudan-admitted-into-EAC/996-3100314-acaobi/index.html|title=South Sudan joins East African regional bloc|website=Daily Nation|access-date=31 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418043232/https://www.nation.co.ke/business/South-Sudan-admitted-into-EAC/996-3100314-acaobi/index.html|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> and formally acceded with the signature of the treaty in April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/statements/20160415/communique-signing-ceremony-treaty-accession-republic-south-sudan-east-african-community|title=COMMUNIQUÉ: SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE TREATY OF ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN INTO THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY|date=15 April 2016|access-date=15 April 2016|publisher=East African Community|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424032901/http://www.eac.int/news-and-media/statements/20160415/communique-signing-ceremony-treaty-accession-republic-south-sudan-east-african-community|archive-date=24 April 2016}}</ref>
=== South Sudan and the Commonwealth of Nations ===
South Sudan has applied to join the [[Commonwealth of Nations]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/5418/South-Sudan-Launches-Bid-to-Join-Commonwealth.aspx|title=South Sudan Launches Bid to Join Commonwealth|website=Gurtong.net|date=8 July 2011|access-date=23 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711061322/http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/ArticleView/mid/519/articleId/5418/South-Sudan-Launches-Bid-to-Join-Commonwealth.aspx|archive-date=11 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> considering that South Sudan was part of the [[Anglo-Egyptian Sudan]], and has two [[republics in the Commonwealth of Nations]], [[Kenya]] and [[Uganda]], as neighbouring countries.
=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in South Sudan}}
Road transport is the most common and cheapest means of transport used in the country.
The Nile River provides the major water transport in South Sudan. The White Nile is a navigable [[waterway]] from the [[Lake Albert (Africa)]] to [[Khartoum]] through [[Jebel Aulia Dam]]. Between [[Juba]] and [[Uganda]], the river requires a channel to make it navigable. During part of the year the rivers are navigable up to [[Gambela, Ethiopia]], and [[Wau, South Sudan]].[[File:Train Sudan towards Wau.jpg|thumb|Passengers atop a train travelling towards [[Wau, South Sudan|Wau]]]]
[[File:SPAF Mi17 helicopters at Juba Airport January 2011.jpg|thumb|Two [[Mil Mi-17]] helicopters at [[Juba Airport]]]]
====
{{Main|Rail transport in South Sudan}}
South Sudan has {{convert|248|km|abbr=on}} of single-track {{RailGauge|3ft6in|lk=on|first=met}} gauge railway line from the Sudanese border to [[Wau, South Sudan|Wau]] terminus. There are proposed extensions from Wau to [[Juba]]. There are also plans to link Juba with the [[Rail transport in Kenya|Kenyan]] and [[Rail transport in Uganda|Ugandan]] railway networks.
==== Air ====
{{Main|List of airports in South Sudan}}
The busiest and most developed airport in South Sudan is [[Juba Airport]], which has regular international connections to [[Asmara International Airport|Asmara]], [[Entebbe International Airport|Entebbe]], [[Jomo Kenyatta International Airport|Nairobi]], [[Cairo International Airport|Cairo]], [[Bole International Airport|Addis Ababa]], and [[Khartoum International Airport|Khartoum]]. Juba Airport was also the home base of [[Feeder Airlines Company]] and [[Southern Star Airlines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18710&catid=74&Itemid=30|title=South Sudan gets new airline|website=Defenceweb.co.za|date=6 September 2011|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013753/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18710&catid=74&Itemid=30|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
Other international airports include [[Malakal Airport|Malakal]], with international flights to Addis Ababa and Khartoum; [[Wau Airport|Wau]], with weekly service to Khartoum; and [[Rumbek Airport|Rumbek]], also with weekly flights to Khartoum. Southern Sudan Airlines also serves [[Nimule Airport|Nimule]] and [[Akobo Airport|Akobo]], which have unpaved runways. Several smaller airports exist throughout South Sudan, the majority consisting of little more than dirt runways.
On 4 April 2012, plans were unveiled to launch a South Sudanese national airline, primarily for domestic service at first but eventually expanding to international service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goss-online.org/magnoliaPublic/en/news.html#South%20Sudan%20set%20have%20own%20national%20air%20carrier|title=South Sudan set to have own national air carrier|website=goss-online.org|date=1 May 2013|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-url=https://swap.stanford.edu/20110922121702/http://www.goss-online.org/magnoliaPublic/en/news.html#South%20Sudan%20set%20have%20own%20national%20air%20carrier|archive-date=22 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Water crisis ===
{{Further|Water supply in South Sudan}}
{{See also|Sudanese nomadic conflicts}}
The [[water supply in South Sudan]] is faced with numerous challenges. Although the [[White Nile]] runs through the country, water is scarce during the dry season in areas that are not located on the river.
About half the population does not have access to an [[improved water source]], defined as a protected well, standpipe or a handpump within one kilometre. The few existing piped water supply systems are often not well maintained and the water they provide is often not safe to drink. Displaced people returning home put a huge strain on infrastructure, and the government institutions in charge of the sector are weak. Substantial external funding from numerous government agencies and non-governmental organizations is available to improve water supply.
Numerous non-governmental organizations support water supply in Southern Sudan, such as [[Water is Basic]], [[Water for South Sudan]], the Obakki Foundation<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obakkifoundation.org/projects|title=Obakki Foundation|publisher=Obakki Foundation |access-date=2 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120004231/https://obakkifoundation.org/projects/|archive-date=20 January 2019}}</ref> and Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lakeregionrotary.com|title=Rotary Club of Bridgton Lake-Region|publisher=Lake Region Rotary |access-date=2 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611161653/https://www.lakeregionrotary.com/|archive-date=11 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> from North America.
== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of South Sudan}}
{{See also|List of cities in South Sudan}}
[[File:John Garang Mausoleum Square in Juba.JPG|thumb|John Garang Square in Juba]]
South Sudan has a population of approximately {{#expr:{{formatnum:{{UN_Population|South Sudan}}|R}}/1e6 round 0}} million{{UN_Population|ref}} and a predominantly rural, subsistence economy. This region has been negatively affected by war for all but 10 of the years since 1956, resulting in serious neglect, lack of [[infrastructure]] development, and major destruction and displacement. More than 2 million people have died, and more than 4 million are [[internally displaced person]]s or became [[refugee]]s as a result of the civil war and its impact.
[[File:Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan (28 05 2009).jpg|thumb|Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan]]
[[File:USAID-funded Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction project.jpg|thumb|Rural school children participating in the [[USAID]]-funded Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction project, July 2010]]
=== Population ===
Line 404 ⟶ 446:
[[File:Village in South Sudan.jpg|thumb|A village in South Sudan]]
The "Fifth Population and Housing Census of Sudan", for Sudan as a whole, was conducted in April 2008. The census counted the Southern Sudan population at 8.26 million;<ref name="n24">{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/World/News/Discontent-over-Sudan-census-20090521|title=Discontent over Sudan census|date=21 May 2009|work=News24.com|access-date=14 July 2011|agency=AFP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713214109/http://www.news24.com/World/News/Discontent-over-Sudan-census-20090521|archive-date=13 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="epro">{{cite news|url=http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/s-sudan-census-bureau-releases-official-results-amidst-ongoing-census-controversy|title=S. Sudan Census Bureau Releases Official Results Amidst Ongoing Census Controversy|work=!enough The project to end genocide and crimes against humanity|date=8 June 2009|first=Maggie|last=Fick|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717031826/http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/s-sudan-census-bureau-releases-official-results-amidst-ongoing-census-controversy|archive-date=17 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
In addition, President Kiir "suspected figures were being deflated in some regions and inflated in others, and that made the final tally 'unacceptable'."<ref name="newvis">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsudanvision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1677:southern-sudanese-officials-decry-unfortunate-announcement-of-census-results&catid=1:sudan-news-stories&Itemid=6|title=South Sudanese officials decry 'unfortunate' announcement of census results|work=The New Sudan Vision|date=10 May 2009|first=Marvis|last=Birungi|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714174659/http://www.newsudanvision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1677:southern-sudanese-officials-decry-unfortunate-announcement-of-census-results&catid=1:sudan-news-stories&Itemid=6|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He claimed that the Southern Sudanese population actually constituted one-third of that of Sudan, though the census showed it to be only 22%.<ref name="epro" />
Many southern Sudanese were also said to have been uncounted "due to bad weather, poor communication and transport networks, and some areas were unreachable, while many southern Sudanese remained in exile in neighbouring countries, leading to 'unacceptable results', according [to] southern Sudanese authorities."<ref name="newvis" /> The chief American technical adviser for the census in the south said that the census-takers probably reached only 89% of the population.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103124761|title=Ethnic Divisions Complicate Sudan's Census|
==== 2009 census ====
In 2009, Sudan initiated a Southern Sudanese census ahead of the [[2011 South Sudanese independence referendum|2011 independence referendum]], which would also include the [[South Sudanese diaspora]]; however, this initiative was criticised for leaving out countries with a high share of the South Sudanese diaspora, rather counting countries where the diaspora share was low.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/south-sudan-claims-northern-sudans-census-dishonest|title=South Sudan says Northern Sudan's census dishonest|
=== Ethnic groups ===
The major [[ethnic group]]s present in South Sudan are the [[Dinka people|Dinka]] at approximately 40 percent of the population, the [[Nuer people|Nuer]] at approximately 20 percent, and the [[Azande]] at approximately 10 percent, as well as the [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]] and [[Bari people|Bari]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2018/12/Azobou_South-Sudan-Refugee-Crisis-112018.pdf|title=South Sudan Refugee Crisis|website=University of Virginia School of Medicine |language=en|access-date=October 1, 2018|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420002156/https://www.med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2018/12/Azobou_South-Sudan-Refugee-Crisis-112018.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently, around 800,000 expatriates from the [[Horn of Africa]] are living in South Sudan. {{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
=== Diaspora ===
{{Main|South Sudanese diaspora}}
The South Sudanese diaspora consists of citizens of South Sudan residing abroad. The number of South Sudanese outside South Sudan has sharply increased since the beginning of the struggle for independence from [[Sudan]]. Almost one and a half million South Sudanese have left the country as refugees, either permanently or as temporary workforce, leading to the establishment of the South Sudanese diaspora population.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}
The largest communities of the South Sudanese diaspora are located in North America, Western Europe and Oceania. They can be found in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia. Small communities exist in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sveriges flyktingkvot|url=https://www.migrationsverket.se/Om-Migrationsverket/Vart-uppdrag/Sveriges-flyktingkvot.html|access-date=2021-10-19|website=migrationsverket.se|language=sv|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026081521/https://www.migrationsverket.se/Om-Migrationsverket/Vart-uppdrag/Sveriges-flyktingkvot.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Activist Achol Jok Mach has spoken out about growing up and growing up in a diaspora community and the effect on her identity, saying: "I was only ever told, 'You are South Sudanese'... It was only much later that I learned I was [[Dinka people|Dinka]]."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Martell|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BAuXDwAAQBAJ&q=Achol+Jok+Mach&pg=PA199|title=First Raise a Flag: How South Sudan Won the Longest War But Lost the Peace|date=15 May 2019|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-005270-6|language=en|access-date=14 March 2021|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518180438/https://books.google.com/books?id=BAuXDwAAQBAJ&q=Achol+Jok+Mach&pg=PA199#v=snippet&q=Achol%20Jok%20Mach&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Largest cities ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:50em"
|-
! colspan=5| Largest cities or towns in South Sudan<br />{{nobold|According to the 2008 Census<ref>{{cite web|title=South Sudan: States, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts|url=http://citypopulation.de/SouthSudan-Cities.html|website=citypopulation.de|access-date=27 January 2023|archive-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129153703/http://www.citypopulation.de/SouthSudan-Cities.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
|-
! Rank
Line 440 ⟶ 493:
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 8|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Maridi]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Western Equatoria]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 55,602
|-
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 9|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Bentiu]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Unity
|-
| style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 10|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Bor, South Sudan|Bor]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Jonglei State|Jonglei]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 25,188
Line 446 ⟶ 499:
|}
===
{{Main|
There are 70 languages spoken in South Sudan, of which 60 are [[indigenous language|indigenou]]s and granted constitutional status as "[[national language]]s" that "shall be respected, developed and promoted".<ref>Part 1, Chapter 1, No. 6 (1)</ref> English is the sole [[official language]],<ref name="engwork" /> being constitutionally enshrined as the "official working language" of government and the "language of instruction at all levels of education".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 |url=http://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/The_Draft_Transitional_Constitution_of_the_ROSS2-2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629170732/http://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/The_Draft_Transitional_Constitution_of_the_ROSS2-2.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=6 May 2017 |publisher=Government of South Sudan}} Part One, Page 3, No. 6 (1), (2), retrieved 6 May 2017</ref> English had been the principal language of what is now South Sudan since 1972, serving as the common medium for administrative purposes.<ref name="britannica.com">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-06 |title=South Sudan - Religion, Animism, Christianity |website=Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Sudan/Religion |access-date=2024-07-09 |language=en}}</ref> However, few South Sudanese speak it as a first language.<ref name="USAID Language of Instruction">[https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00XFMT.pdf Language of Instruction Country Profile South Sudan], [[United States Agency for International Development]]</ref>
The majority of languages spoken in South Sudan are classified within the [[Nilo-Saharan languages|Nilo-Saharan Language family]], specifically the subbranches of [[Nilotic languages|Nile Sudanic]] and [[Central Sudanic languages|Central Sudanic]]; most of the remainder are part of the [[Adamawa-Ubangi]] branch of the [[Niger-Congo family]]. The most common languages are [[Nuer language|Nuer]] (4.35 million), [[Bari language|Bari]] (595,000) [[Dinka language|Dinka]] (940,000) or [[Zande language|Zande]] (420,000), which are collectively spoken by approximately 60% of the population;<ref name="USAID Language of Instruction" /> other major indigenous languages include [[Murle language|Murle]], [[Luo languages|Luo]], [[Ma'di language|Ma'di]], and [[Otuho language|Otuho]]. Six indigenous languages are threatened with [[Language death|extinction]], with another 11 declining.<ref name="USAID Language of Instruction" />
[[Arabic]], a [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] language of the [[Afroasiatic languages|Afroasiatic]] family, is the most widely spoken language.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Voice of a nation: How Juba Arabic helps bridge a factious South Sudan |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2018/1106/Voice-of-a-nation-How-Juba-Arabic-helps-bridge-a-factious-South-Sudan |access-date=2024-07-09 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}</ref> The most common variety is [[Juba Arabic]], also known as South Sudanese Arabic, a [[creole language]] that serves as the ''[[lingua franca]]'' for local governments, national commerce, and in urban areas.<ref>[https://www.unicef.org/esaro/UNICEF(2016)LanguageandLearning-SouthSudan-CaseStudy.pdf ''The impact of language policy and practice on children's learning: Evidence from Eastern and Southern Africa 2016''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183348/https://www.unicef.org/esaro/UNICEF(2016)LanguageandLearning-SouthSudan-CaseStudy.pdf|date=13 September 2017}} (PDF; 672 kB), Page. 1, retrieved 20 May 2017</ref> It is spoken by approximately 1.45 million people, of whom only 250,000 speak it natively. [[Sudanese Arabic]], the prevailing dialect in Sudan, has approximately 460,000 speakers, primarily in the northern regions of South Sudan; it has been described as the ''de facto'' language of national identity.<ref name="USAID Language of Instruction" /> Arabic had been recognized as South Sudan's second official language, alongside English, in its 2005 interim constitution,<ref>[http://www.chr.up.ac.za/undp/domestic/docs/c_SouthernSudan.pdf ''The Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan'', 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170713/http://www.chr.up.ac.za/undp/domestic/docs/c_SouthernSudan.pdf|date=3 March 2016}} (PDF; 484 kB), Part One, Page. 3–4, No. 6 (1), (2), retrieved 6 May 2017</ref> but has no legal status in the current transitional constitution adopted in 2011.
[[Swahili language|Swahili]], a [[Bantu languages|Bantu language]] spoken primarily in East Africa, has been proposed as a second official language. In 2011, South Sudan's ambassador to [[Kenya]] stated that [[Swahili language|Swahili]] would be introduced in South Sudan with the goal of supplanting Arabic as a ''[[lingua franca]]'', in keeping with the country's orientation toward the [[East African Community]] rather than Sudan and the [[Arab League]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2 August 2011 |title=South Sudanese still in Kenya despite new state |url=http://assistamerica.countrywatch.com/rcountry.aspx?vcountry=89&topic=CBWIR&uid=5271402 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411015341/http://assistamerica.countrywatch.com/rcountry.aspx?vcountry=89 |archive-date=11 April 2015 |access-date=16 September 2013 |agency=Xinhua}}</ref> Following the South Sudan's ascension to the [[East African Community]] in 2019, the government has moved to adopt Swahili into the official curricula at primary school.<ref>{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2017-07-06 |title=S. Sudan to adopt Swahili as official language, seeks Tanzania's help |url=https://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811213026/https://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help// |archive-date=11 August 2019 |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=Africanews |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Africanews 2017-07-05">{{cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=5 July 2017 |title=S. Sudan to adopt Swahili as official language, seeks Tanzania's help – Africanews |url=http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008025942/http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help/ |archive-date=8 October 2017 |access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> Nevertheless, South Sudan submitted an application to join the Arab League as a [[Member states of the Arab League|member state]] on 25 March 2014, which is still pending.<ref>[[Middle East Monitor]]: [https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140412-south-sudan-and-chad-apply-to-join-the-arab-league ''South Sudan and Chad apply to join the Arab League''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913231309/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140412-south-sudan-and-chad-apply-to-join-the-arab-league/|date=13 September 2017}}, 12 April 2014, retrieved 3 May 2017</ref> In an interview with the newspaper [[Asharq Al-Awsat]], the Foreign Minister of South Sudan [[Deng Alor Kuol]] said: South Sudan is the closest African country to the [[Arab world]], and we speak a special kind of Arabic known as Juba Arabic.<ref>[[Asharq Al-Awsat]]: [http://english.aawsat.com/ahmedyounis/interviews/foreign-minister-south-sudan-considering-joining-arab-league ''Foreign Minister of South Sudan: We Are Considering Joining the Arab League''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913233152/https://english.aawsat.com/ahmedyounis/interviews/foreign-minister-south-sudan-considering-joining-arab-league|date=13 September 2017}}, 7 June 2016, retrieved 3 May 2017</ref> Sudan supports South Sudan's request to join the Arab League.<ref>[[Sudan Tribune]]: [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article59689 ''Khartoum supports South Sudan demand to join Arab League''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018103721/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article59689|date=18 October 2017}}, 21 July 2016, retrieved 3 May 2017</ref> Juba Arabic is a [[lingua franca]] in South Sudan.
=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in South Sudan}}
[[File:Yirol Church.jpg|thumb|[[Catholic Church in South Sudan|Holy Cross Cathedral]] in [[Lakes State]].|279x279px]]
[[Religion]]s followed by the [[South Sudanese]] include [[Christianity]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - Religion: Christianity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> various traditional [[indigenous religion|indigenous belief system]]s, and [[Islam]].<ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan's Muslims welcome secession|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=9 January 2011|access-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024203009/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan profile|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082|publisher=BBC News|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708021732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082|archive-date=8 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Exact figures are lacking due to internal displacement from ongoing conflict, large numbers of frequently-migrating pastoralists, and insufficient government resources.<ref>Jacqueline Wilson, [https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2019-07/pw_148-the_religious_landscape_in_south_sudan_challenges_and_opportunities_for_engagement.pdf The Religious Landscape in South Sudan: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT] ''United States Institute of Peace'' (June 2019), '''p. 7.'''</ref><ref name="US St Dept"/> The last [[census|official census]] to take into account religion was in 1956, where a majority of people were classified as adherents of traditional beliefs or [[Christians|Christianity]], while 18% were [[Muslim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|title=South Sudan's Muslims welcome secession |work=The Daily Star |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|access-date=15 August 2011|date=8 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024203009/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to various nongovernmental sources, in 2020, the majority of the population (60.5%) was Christian, (42.5%)Gundeng/Dengtaath followed by adherents of [[traditional African religions]] (33%) and Muslims (6%).<ref name="US2022">{{Cite web |title=U.S. State Dept 2022 report (citing Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project) |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-sudan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821222550/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-sudan |archive-date=21 August 2023 |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hurd|first=Emma|url=http://news.sky.com/story/835953/southern-sudan-votes-to-split-from-north|title=Southern Sudan Votes To Split From North|website=News.sky.com|date=8 February 2011|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031042419/http://news.sky.com/story/835953/southern-sudan-votes-to-split-from-north|archive-date=31 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> This proportion was largely unchanged from the prior decade.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 December 2012 |title=Global Religious Landscape Table — Percent of Population  |publisher=Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life |url=http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101080244/http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php |archive-date=1 January 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> Other religions with small populations include the Baha’i Faith, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism.<ref name="US St Dept"/>
Most Christians are [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]; in 2020, Catholics [[Catholic Church in South Sudan|made up 52% of the population]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/south-sudan |title=Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08 |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-date=21 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821210814/https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/south-sudan |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2001, the ''[[World Christian Encyclopedia]]'' claimed that the [[Catholic Church in South Sudan|Catholic Church]] was the largest single [[Christians|Christian]] body in [[Sudan]] [[Dengtääth]] population in Rol Naath since 1995, with the country's 2.7 [[1,000,000|million]] [[Catholic Church|Catholics]] being concentrated in what is today South Sudan.<ref>{{cite book |title=World Christian Encyclopedia |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2001 |editor-last1=Barrett |editor-first1=David |place=Oxford |pages=699–700 |editor-last2=Kurian |editor-first2=George |editor-last3=Johnson |editor-first3=Todd}}</ref> The next largest Christian denominations are the [[Episcopal Church of South Sudan|Episcopal Church]] (7.5 million members)<ref>{{cite web |title=How many Anglicans are there in the Anglican Church in North America? |url=http://www.fwepiscopal.org/downloads/howmanyanglicans.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073614/http://www.fwepiscopal.org/downloads/howmanyanglicans.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> and the [[Presbyterian Church in Sudan|Presbyterian Church]] (one million members in 2012).<ref>{{cite web |date=20 May 2012 |title=Presbyterian Church of the Sudan |url=http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/member-churches/regions/africa/south-sudan/presbyterian-church-of-the-sudan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520124842/http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/member-churches/regions/africa/south-sudan/presbyterian-church-of-the-sudan.html |archive-date=20 May 2012 |access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref>
Christianity has grown rapidly in the country over the last two decades. Despite European [[missionary]] activity beginning as early as the mid-19th century, the U.S. [[Library of Congress]] states that "in the early 1990s possibly no more than 10% of southern Sudan's population was [[Christians|Christian]]".<ref>{{cite web |title=Sudan: A Country Study; Ethnicity, Regionalism and Ethnicity |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114012212/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html |archive-date=14 January 2011 |access-date=10 January 2011 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress}}</ref> During this same period, official records of [[Sudan]] claimed that one-quarter of the population of present-day South Sudan practiced various [[Traditional religions of Africa|traditional religions]] while only 5% were [[Christians]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Geographica. The Complete Illustrated Atlas of the world |year=1999 |page=336}}</ref> Various scholarly sources, as well as the [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]],<ref name="US_State_Dept">{{cite web |title=Sudan |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802172914/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm |archive-date=2 August 2018 |access-date=21 December 2013 |publisher=U.S. State Department}}</ref> stated that a majority of southern Sudanese maintained traditional [[Animism|animist]] indigenous beliefs at the start of the 21st century, with Christians remaining a small minority.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kaufmann |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Kaufmann |title=Rethinking ethnicity: majority groups and dominant minorities |publisher=Routledge |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-203-56339-7 |page=45}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Minahan, J. |title=Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations: S-Z |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-313-32384-3 |page=1786}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Arnold, G |year=2003 |title=Book Review: Douglas H. Johnson, The Root Causes of Sudan's Civil Wars |journal=African Journal of Political Science |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=147}}</ref>
[[File:Kator church.jpg|thumb|[[St. Theresa Cathedral, Juba|St. Theresa Cathedral in Juba]]]]
As in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Christianity is often [[Religious syncretism|blended]] with traditional beliefs.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 March 2011 |title=Sudan : Country Studies |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023212053/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html#sd0065 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> In 2022, the new Catholic bishop of [[Rumbek]], [[Christian Carlassare]], observed that while more than half the population of South Sudan is Christian, "Christianity is often no more than skin deep" and "hasn't grown roots in the life of the population".<ref>{{Cite web|last=ACN|date=2022-04-04|title=New bishop in South Sudan: "We must get back on our feet and give hope to the people"|url=https://acninternational.org/new-bishop-in-south-sudan-attacked/|access-date=2022-11-15|publisher=ACN International|language=en-US|archive-date=15 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115100946/https://acninternational.org/new-bishop-in-south-sudan-attacked/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many religious organizations function as a source of stability, community, humanitarian aid, and refuge in the absence of government institutions, with Christian and Muslim religious leaders actively involved in peacebuilding and socioeconomic development.<ref name="US St Dept"/>
Indigenous [[Animism|animist]] beliefs remain widespread among the population regardless of religious affiliation. Additionally, each ethnic group has its own traditional belief system, all of which share a concept of a higher spirit or divinity, generally a creator god.<ref name="britannica.com"/> Traditional African cosmology divides the universe between a visible material realm and an invisible heavenly realm, which is populated by spiritual beings that serve as intermediaries or messengers of a higher power; in the case of the [[Nilotic peoples]], these spirits are identified with ancestors. The supreme deity is worshipped through rituals that utilize music and dance.
Although the internal conflicts that precipitated Sudan's partition have been characterized as between Muslims and Christians, some scholars reject this notion, claiming Muslim and Christian sides sometimes overlapped.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pat |first1=Mr |title=Christians Under Siege |date=2009 |page=105}}</ref> Muslims are relatively well integrated into South Sudanese society and represented in government; Muslim religious leaders are present in all major political ceremonies as well as peace negotiations. Islamic private schools are maintained with little government involvement, while many secondary institutions include Islamic theology in their curricula.<ref name="US St Dept">{{Cite web |title=South Sudan |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-sudan/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |publisher=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2011, inaugural [[South Sudanese]] [[President of South Sudan|President]] [[Salva Kiir Mayardit|Salva Kiir]], a Roman Catholic, said that South Sudan would be a nation that respects [[freedom of religion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sudanradio.org/south-sudan-respect-freedom-religion-says-goss-president|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712011904/http://www.sudanradio.org/south-sudan-respect-freedom-religion-says-goss-president|archive-date=12 July 2011|title=South Sudan To Respect Freedom of Religion Says GOSS President|work=Sudan Radio Service, Sudanradio.org|date=21 February 2011|access-date=9 July 2011}}</ref> The country's transitional constitution provides for separation of religion and state, prohibits religious discrimination, and provides religious groups freedom to worship, assemble, proselytize, own property, receive financial contributions, communicate and publish materials on religious matters, and establish charitable institutions.<ref name="US St Dept" /> Interreligious conflict occurs largely in the context of ethnic and communal conflict; for example, in February 2022, clashes between Dinka clans resulted in the targeting of associated religious buildings and leaders.<ref name="US St Dept" />
===
{{Main|
Unlike the previous educational system of the regional Southern Sudan—which was modelled after the system used in the Republic of Sudan since 1990—the current educational system of the Republic of South Sudan follows the {{nowrap|8 + 4 + 4}} system (similar to Kenya). Primary education consists of eight years, followed by four years of [[secondary education]], and then four years of university instruction.
The primary language at all levels is English, as compared to the Republic of Sudan, where the [[language of instruction]] is [[Modern Standard Arabic|Arabic]]. In 2007, South Sudan adopted English as the [[official language]] of communication. There is a severe shortage of English teachers and English-speaking teachers in the scientific and technical fields.
On 1 October 2019, the South Sudan Library Foundation opened South Sudan's first public library, the Juba Public Peace Library in Gudele 2.<ref name="www.thechristiantimes.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.thechristiantimes.net/index.php/s-sudan/19-education/2434-first-public-library-opens-in-south-sudan-advocates-for-peace|title=The Christian Times – First public library opens in South Sudan, advocates for peace|website=The Christian Times |access-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107132917/http://www.thechristiantimes.net/index.php/s-sudan/19-education/2434-first-public-library-opens-in-south-sudan-advocates-for-peace|archive-date=7 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="med.virginia.edu">{{cite web|url=https://audioboom.com/posts/7327847-instilling-a-culture-of-reading-south-sudan-looks-forward-to-new-public-library|title=Instilling a culture of reading; South Sudan looks forward to new public library|website=Audioboom|language=en|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107132914/https://audioboom.com/posts/7327847-instilling-a-culture-of-reading-south-sudan-looks-forward-to-new-public-library|archive-date=7 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The library currently employs a staff of over 40 volunteers and maintains a collection of over 13,000 books.<ref name="med.virginia.edu" /> The South Sudan Library Foundation was co-founded by Yawusa Kintha and Kevin Lenahan.<ref name="www.thechristiantimes.net" /><ref name="med.virginia.edu" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sydney.edu.au/business/news-and-events/news/2019/02/07/mba-student-establishes-ngo-to-improve-literacy-in-south-sudan.html|title=MBA student establishes NGO to improve literacy in South Sudan|publisher=The University of Sydney|language=en-AU|access-date=11 November 2019|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628041123/https://www.sydney.edu.au/business/news-and-events/news/2019/02/07/mba-student-establishes-ngo-to-improve-literacy-in-south-sudan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Health and humanitarian situation ===
{{Main|Health in South Sudan}}
{{See also|Child marriage in South Sudan}}
According to the United Nations, there are 8.3 million people in need of humanitarian aid in South Sudan as of January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=South Sudan Humanitarian Needs Overview 2021 (January 2021) – South Sudan|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/south-sudan-humanitarian-needs-overview-2021-january-2021|access-date=2021-10-12|website=ReliefWeb|date=26 January 2021 |language=en|archive-date=27 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027182328/https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/south-sudan-humanitarian-needs-overview-2021-january-2021|url-status=live}}</ref> South Sudan is acknowledged to have some of the worst health indicators in the world.<ref name="health">{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article1616|title=Southern Sudan has unique combination of worst diseases in the world — Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan|work=Sudan Tribune|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408090727/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article1616|archive-date=8 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Moszynski |first1=P. |title=Conference plans rebuilding of Southern Sudan's health services |doi=10.1136/bmj.331.7510.179 |journal=BMJ |volume=331 |issue=7510 |page=179 |year=2005 |pmc=1179754}}</ref><ref name=SSMJ>{{cite journal|title=South Sudan Household Survey|date=December 2007|url=http://www.southernsudanmedicaljournal.com/assets/files/misc/SHHS.pdf|journal=South Sudan Medical Journal|access-date=20 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612082122/http://www.southernsudanmedicaljournal.com/assets/files/misc/SHHS.pdf|archive-date=12 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The under-five [[infant mortality]] rate is 135.3 per 1,000, whilst [[maternal mortality]] is the highest in the world at 2,053.9 per 100,000 live births.<ref name=SSMJ /> In 2004, there were only three [[surgeon]]s serving in southern Sudan, with three proper [[hospital]]s, and in some areas there was just one [[Physician|doctor]] for every 500,000 people.<ref name="health" />
The epidemiology of [[HIV/AIDS]] in the South Sudan is poorly documented but the prevalence is believed around 3.1%.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hakim|first=James|date=August 2009|url=http://www.southernsudanmedicaljournal.com/archive/2009-08/untitled-resource.html|title=HIV/AIDS: an update on Epidemiology, Prevention and Treatment|work=South Sudan Medical Journal|access-date=20 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312032025/http://www.southernsudanmedicaljournal.com/archive/2009-08/untitled-resource.html|archive-date=12 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a 2013 study, South Sudan "probably has the highest [[malaria]] burden in [[Sub-Saharan Africa|sub-Saharan]] [[Africa]]".<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Malaria control in South Sudan, 2006–2013: strategies, progress and challenges|journal=Malaria Journal|volume=12|page=374|doi=10.1186/1475-2875-12-374|pmid=24160336|pmc=3816306|year=2013|last1=Pasquale|first1=Harriet|last2=Jarvese|first2=Martina|last3=Julla|first3=Ahmed|last4=Doggale|first4=Constantino|last5=Sebit|first5=Bakhit|last6=Lual|first6=Mark Y.|last7=Baba|first7=Samson P.|last8=Chanda|first8=Emmanuel |doi-access=free}}</ref> South Sudan is one of the few countries where [[dracunculiasis]] still occurs.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=22647809 |doi=10.1016/S1995-7645(12)60088-1 |volume=5 |issue=7 |title=Dracunculiasis eradication—finishing the job before surprises arise. |date=Jul 2012 |journal=Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine |pages=505–10 |last1=Visser |first1=BJ |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |pmid=23843492 |doi=10.4269/ajtmh.13-0090 |volume=89 |issue=1 |title=Dracunculiasis eradication: and now, South Sudan |date=Jul 2013 |journal=American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |pages=5–10 |pmc=3748487 |last1=Hopkins |first1=DR |last2=Ruiz-Tiben |first2=E |last3=Weiss |first3=A |last4=Withers |first4=PC |last5=Eberhard |first5=ML |last6=Roy |first6=SL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/dracunculiasis/en/|title=WHO — Dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease)|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=24 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405212912/http://www.who.int/dracunculiasis/en/|archive-date=5 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
At the time of the [[Comprehensive Peace Agreement]] of 2005, humanitarian needs in Southern Sudan were massive. However, humanitarian organizations under the leadership of the UN [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] (OCHA) managed to ensure sufficient funding to bring relief to the local populations. Along with recovery and development aid, humanitarian projects were included in the 2007 Work Plan of the United Nations and partners. More than 90% of the population of South Sudan live on less than $1 a day, despite the GDP per capita of the entirety of Sudan being $1200 ($3.29/day).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fifthinternational.org/content/support-freedom-southern-sudan-and-fight-workers-unity-against-imperialism|title=Support freedom for Southern Sudan and fight for workers' unity against imperialism|last=Ambler|first=Sean|date=10 January 2011|publisher=[[League for the Fifth International]]|access-date=24 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709140536/http://fifthinternational.org/content/support-freedom-southern-sudan-and-fight-workers-unity-against-imperialism|archive-date=9 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2007, the United Nations OCHA (under the leadership of [[Éliane Duthoit]]) decreased its involvement in Southern Sudan, as humanitarian needs gradually diminished, slowly but markedly turning over control to the recovery and development activities of NGOs and community-based organisations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=71676|title=SUDAN: Peace bolsters food security in the south|date=18 April 2007|work=[[The New Humanitarian|IRIN]]|access-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828092901/http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=71676|archive-date=28 August 2010}}</ref>
[[Famine]] reportedly led to deaths in [[Bentiu]] and [[Latjor(state)|Latjor]] states in mid-2011, though the state governments of both denied hunger there was severe enough to cause fatalities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-Bentiu,39863|work=Sudan Tribune|title=South Sudan's Latjor denies reports that hunger caused death|date=17 August 2011|access-date=18 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921161921/http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-Bentiu,39863|archive-date=21 September 2011}}</ref>
In Pibor County located in the Jonglei State, in December 2011 and January 2012, [[Cattle raiding|cattle raids]] led to border clashes that eventually resulted in widespread [[Sudanese nomadic conflicts|ethnic violence]], with thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of South Sudanese being displaced, and hundreds of [[Médecins Sans Frontières]] staff went missing. The government declared the area a disaster zone and took control from local authorities.<ref>{{cite news|last=Meldrum|first=Andrew|title=South Sudan News: Ethnic clashes must be solved in the long term|url=http://web1.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/120105/south-sudan-news-ethnic-clashes-must-be-solved-long-term|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205004734/http://web1.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/120105/south-sudan-news-ethnic-clashes-must-be-solved-long-term|archive-date=5 February 2012|access-date=6 January 2012|newspaper=GlobalPost|date=6 January 2012}}</ref> South Sudan has a very high rate of [[child marriage]].<ref>According to the WHO: "The 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage are: Niger, 75%; Chad and Central African Republic, 68%; Bangladesh, 66%; Guinea, 63%; Mozambique, 56%; Mali, 55%; Burkina Faso and South Sudan, 52%; and Malawi, 50%. "[https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/child_marriage_20130307/en/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424050514/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/child_marriage_20130307/en/|date=24 April 2015}}</ref> [[Violence against women]] is common in the country, and South Sudan's laws and policies have been criticized as inadequate in offering protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/south-sudan/womens-security/HSBA-women-security-law.pdf|title=Women's Security and the Law in South Sudan|access-date=24 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115725/http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/south-sudan/womens-security/HSBA-women-security-law.pdf|archive-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref>Inter-Agency Standing Committee (2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150114234102/http://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2014/5/humanitarian-crisis-in-south-sudan Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan Gender Alert 2: May 2014.] United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)</ref>
===
[[File:The scale of the problem Jamam refugee camp from the air (6972523516).jpg|thumb|Jamam refugee camp]]
As of February 2014, South Sudan was host to over 230,000 [[refugee]]s, with the vast majority, over 209,000, having arrived recently from Sudan, because of the [[War in Darfur]]. Other African countries that contribute the most refugees to South Sudan are the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<ref name="UNHCR Regional Update">{{cite web|url=http://data.unhcr.org/SouthSudan/download.php?id=832|title=South Sudan Emergency Situation-Regional Update|publisher=UNHCR|date=2 February 2014|access-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140349/http://data.unhcr.org/SouthSudan/download.php?id=832|archive-date=22 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the war that erupted in December 2013, more than 2.3 million people – one in every five people in South Sudan – have been forced to flee their homes, including 1.66 million internally displaced people (with 53.4 per cent estimated to be children) and nearly 644,900 refugees in neighbouring countries. Some 185,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) have sought refuge in UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites, while around 90 percent of IDPs are on the run or sheltering outside PoC sites.<ref name="reliefweb">{{cite web|title=2016 South Sudan Humanitarian Needs Overview|publisher=[[United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]]|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/2016-south-sudan-humanitarian-needs-overview|date=5 January 2016|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235414/https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/2016-south-sudan-humanitarian-needs-overview|archive-date=27 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Consequently, UNHCR is stepping up its response through an inter-agency collaborative approach under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator, and working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In early February 2013, UNHCR started distributing relief items outside the UN base in Malakal, South Sudan, which was expected to reach 10,000 people.<ref name="UNHCR Regional Update" />
== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of South Sudan}}
{{See also|Tourism in South Sudan}}
[[File:South Sudan 012.jpg|thumb|[[Scarification|Scarified]] woman, South Sudan, 2011]]
Due to the many years of civil war, South Sudan's culture is heavily influenced by its neighbours. Many South Sudanese fled to Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda where they interacted with the nationals and learned their languages and culture. Most of those who remained in Sudan until or after independence partially assimilated to Sudanese culture and speak [[Juba Arabic]] or [[Sudanese Arabic]].
Most South Sudanese value knowing one's tribal origin, its traditional culture and [[dialect]] even while in exile and [[diaspora]]. Although the common languages spoken are Juba Arabic and English, [[Swahili language|Swahili]] might be introduced to the population to improve the country's relations with its [[East Africa]]n neighbours.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
=== Music ===
Many music artists from South Sudan use English, Swahili, Juba Arabic, their native African language or a mix of all. Popular artists like Barbz, [[Yaba Angelosi]], De Peace Child sing [[Afro-beat]], [[R&B]], and [[Zouk (musical movement)|Zouk]]; [[Dynamq]] is popular for his [[reggae]] releases; and Emmanuel Kembe who sings [[Folk music|folk]], reggae and Afro-beat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Sudan's Music Identity by Mawa Minga |url=https://www.andariya.com/post/south-sudan-s-music-identity |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=Andariya |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123211640/https://www.andariya.com/post/south-sudan-s-music-identity |url-status=live}}</ref> Also hip hop artists like [[Emmanuel Jal]], FTG Metro, Flizzame and Dugga Mulla (of FMG). Emmanuel being one of the South Sudaneses music artists who have broken through on an international level<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/emmanuel_jal/en_US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027025559/http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/emmanuel_jal/en_US|archive-date=27 October 2009|title=Emmanuel Jal: National Geographic World Music|access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> with his unique form of [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and a positive message in his lyrics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stevenson|first=Jane|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/08/emmanuel-jal-uses-music-as-therapy|title=Emmanuel Jal uses music as therapy | Music | Entertainment|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=8 August 2012|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101183859/http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/08/emmanuel-jal-uses-music-as-therapy|archive-date=1 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Jal, a former [[child soldier]] turned musician, received good airplay and album reviews in the UK<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/g9zf|title=Music — Review of Emmanuel Jal — Warchild|publisher=BBC|date=1 January 1970|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010131912/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/g9zf|archive-date=10 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> and has also been sought out for the lecture circuit with major talks at popular talkfests like [[TED (conference)|TED]].<ref>{{cite web|author=((TEDGlobal 2009))|url=http://www.ted.com/talks/emmanuel_jal_the_music_of_a_war_child.html|title=Emmanuel Jal: The music of a war child | Video on|publisher=[[TED (conference)|TED]] |access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818162134/http://www.ted.com/talks/emmanuel_jal_the_music_of_a_war_child.html|archive-date=18 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Media{{anchor|Media freedom}} ===
{{Main|Media of South Sudan}}
While former Information Minister [[Barnaba Marial Benjamin]] vowed that South Sudan will respect [[freedom of the press]] and allow journalists unrestricted access in the country, the chief editor of [[Juba]] newspaper ''[[The Citizen (South Sudan)|The Citizen]]'' claimed that in the absence of a formal media law in the fledgling republic, he and his staff have faced abuse at the hands of security forces. This alleged fettering of media freedom was attributed in an [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] report to the difficulty [[SPLM]] has faced in reforming itself as a legitimate government after years of leading a rebellion against the Sudanese government. ''The Citizen'' is South Sudan's largest newspaper, but poor infrastructure and poverty have kept its staff relatively small and limited the efficiency of both its reporting and its circulation outside of Juba, with no dedicated news bureaus in outlying states and newspapers often taking several days to reach states like [[Northern Bahr el Ghazal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/southsudanindependence/2011/07/201171211357184117.html|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=12 July 2011|access-date=12 July 2011|title=South Sudan journalists facing intimidation|first=Gregg|last=Carlstrom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713130342/http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/southsudanindependence/2011/07/201171211357184117.html|archive-date=13 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2020, ''South Sudan Friendship Press'' was established as the country's first dedicated online news website.<ref>{{cite web|title=South Sudan Friendship Press|url=https://www.s-sfp.com/ |language=en|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=9 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609180846/https://www.s-sfp.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Nile citizens '' is laid out as the nation's committed web-based news site.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nilecitizens.com/category/nile-news-upades/south-sudan/ |title=South Sudan Nile Citizens |date=5 December 2023 |access-date=19 August 2023 |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819112036/https://nilecitizens.com/category/nile-news-upades/south-sudan/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
====
On 1 November 2011, South Sudan's National Security Services (NSS) arrested the editor of a private Juba-based daily, ''Destiny'', and suspended its activities indefinitely. This was in response to an opinion article by columnist Dengdit Ayok, entitled "Let Me Say So", which criticized the president for allowing his daughter to marry an Ethiopian national, and accused him of "staining his patriotism". An official letter accused the newspaper of breaking "the media code of conduct and professional ethics", and of publishing "illicit news" that was defamatory, inciting, and invading the privacy of personalities. The [[Committee to Protect Journalists]] had voiced concerns over media freedoms in South Sudan in September.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cpj.org/2011/11/south-sudan-security-detains-two-journalists.php|publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists|date=7 November 2011|access-date=8 November 2011|title=South Sudan security detains two journalists|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108005137/http://www.cpj.org/2011/11/south-sudan-security-detains-two-journalists.php|archive-date=8 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The NSS released the journalists without charge after having held them for 18 days.<ref name="Sudan Tribune 2011-11-18" />
In 2015, Salva Kiir threatened to kill journalists who reported "against the country".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34008089|title=South Sudan journalist Peter Moi shot dead|publisher=bbcnews.com|access-date=3 September 2015|date=20 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822232154/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-34008089|archive-date=22 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Work conditions have become terrible for journalists, and many have left the country, such as documentarian Ochan Hannington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/south-sudanese-filmmaker-ochan-hannington-speaks-about-his-dangerous-work-and-why-he-loves|title=Risking my life|first=Ochan|last=Hannington|date=31 October 2015|publisher=D+C, development and cooperation|access-date=21 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122182556/http://www.dandc.eu/en/article/south-sudanese-filmmaker-ochan-hannington-speaks-about-his-dangerous-work-and-why-he-loves|archive-date=22 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2015, after journalist Peter Moi was killed in a targeted attack, being the seventh journalist killed during the year, South Sudanese journalists held a 24-hour news blackout.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2015/Aug-21/312136-south-sudan-media-blackout-after-reporter-shot-dead.ashx|title=South Sudan media blackout after reporter shot dead|newspaper=Daily Star |access-date=3 September 2015|date=21 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825035239/http://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/World/2015/Aug-21/312136-south-sudan-media-blackout-after-reporter-shot-dead.ashx|archive-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2017, a 26-year-old American journalist, Christopher Allen, was killed in [[Kaya, South Sudan|Kaya]], [[Yei River State]], during fighting between government and opposition forces. Christopher Allen was a freelance journalist who had worked for several U.S. news outlets. He had been reportedly embedded with the opposition forces in South Sudan for a week before he was killed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.southsudan.biz/2017/08/27/us-journalist-killed-in-yei-river/|title=US journalist killed in Yei River|website=southsudan.biz|access-date=19 September 2017|date=27 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The same month, President Salva Kiir said the millions of civilians fleeing South Sudan were being driven by the propaganda from social media users conspiring against his government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.southsudan.biz/2017/08/28/south-sudan-president-downplays-refugee-crisis-blames-social-media/|title=South Sudan president downplays refugee crisis, blames social media|website=southsudan.biz|access-date=19 September 2017|date=28 August 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Just a month prior in July 2017, access to major news websites and popular blogs including [[Sudan Tribune]] and [https://radiotamazuj.org/en Radio Tamazuj] had been blocked by the government without formal notice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.com/en/south-sudan-blocks-access-to-independent-websites/a-39786961|title=South Sudan blocks access to independent websites|publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=19 September 2017|date=21 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909044730/http://www.dw.com/en/south-sudan-blocks-access-to-independent-websites/a-39786961|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2020, access to [[Sudans Post]], a local news website, was blocked by the government following the publication of an article deemed defamatory by the NSS.<ref>{{Cite book |date=23 December 2020 |title=World Report 2021: Rights Trends in South Sudan |chapter=South Sudan: Events of 2020 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/south-sudan |access-date=16 June 2021 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616131220/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/south-sudan |url-status=live}}</ref> Two months later, Qurium Media Foundation, a Swedish non-profit organization, announced that it has deployed a mirror for the website to circumvent the government blocking.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Sudans Post" gets blocked after receiving personal threats from NSS – transcript revealed – Qurium Media Foundation|url=https://www.qurium.org/alerts/blocked-sudans-post-received-threats-for-achai-wiir-related-articles/|access-date=16 June 2021|language=en-GB|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195455/https://www.qurium.org/alerts/blocked-sudans-post-received-threats-for-achai-wiir-related-articles/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sport in South Sudan}}
[[File:Luol Deng Wizards.jpg|right|thumb|South Sudanese-born basketball player [[Luol Deng]]]]
Many traditional and modern games and sports are popular in South Sudan, particularly wrestling and mock battles. The traditional sports were mainly played after the harvest seasons to celebrate the harvests and finish the farming seasons. During the matches, they smeared themselves with [[ochre]] – perhaps to enhance the grip or heighten their perception. The matches attracted large numbers of spectators who sang, played drums and danced in support of their favourite wrestlers. Though these were perceived as competition, they were primarily for entertainment.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sudan in Pictures|last=DiPiazza|first=Francesca|year=2006|publisher=21st-century Books|isbn=978-0-8225-2678-0|page=54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jaLr4YpUHGUC&pg=PA54|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202093506/https://books.google.com/books?id=jaLr4YpUHGUC&pg=PA54|archive-date=2 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Association football]] is also becoming popular in South Sudan, and there are many initiatives by the Government of South Sudan and other partners to promote the sport and improve the level of play. One of these initiatives is South Sudan Youth Sports Association (SSYSA). SSYSA is already holding football clinics in Konyokonyo and Muniki areas of Juba in which young boys are coached. In recognition of these efforts with youth football, the country recently hosted the [[Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations|CECAFA]] youth football competitions. Barely a month earlier, it had also hosted the larger East African Schools Sports tournaments.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}
The South Sudanese can boast links to top basketball players. [[Luol Deng]] was a [[National Basketball Association]] star in the United States; at the international level, he represented [[Great Britain national basketball team|Great Britain]]. Other leading international basketball players from South Sudan include [[Manute Bol]], [[Kueth Duany]], [[Deng Gai]], [[Ater Majok]], [[Wenyen Gabriel]], and [[Thon Maker]]. The [[South Sudan national basketball team]] played its first match against the [[Uganda national basketball team]] on 10 July 2011 in Juba.<ref name="sports">{{cite news|url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/basketball/worlds-newest-nation-set-to-step-into-sporting-arena/451201|title=World's Newest Nation Set to Step into Sporting Arena|newspaper=The Jakarta Globe|date=6 July 2011|access-date=21 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927093457/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/basketball/worlds-newest-nation-set-to-step-into-sporting-arena/451201|archive-date=27 September 2012}}</ref> The nation made their debut at the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup]] in [[2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup|2023]]. The also made their [[AfroBasket]] debut in [[FIBA AfroBasket 2021|2021]] finishing 7th.
One athlete from South Sudan, [[Guor Marial]], competed in the [[2012 Summer Olympics]]. Due to South Sudan not as yet possessing an official Olympics organization, and Marial not yet possessing American citizenship, he, along with three athletes from the former [[Netherlands Antilles]], competed under the banner of [[Independent Olympic Athletes at the 2012 Summer Olympics|Independent Olympic Athletes]].
On 2 August at the 128th IOC Session, South Sudan was granted full recognition of its [[South Sudan National Olympic Committee|National Olympic Committee]]. [[South Sudan at the 2016 Summer Olympics|South Sudan competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics]] with three athletes in track and field. No medals were won during this Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rio2016.com/en/south-sudan|title=South Sudan|website=Rio 2016|access-date=18 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125235855/https://www.rio2016.com/en/south-sudan|archive-date=25 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
== See also ==
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{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name="Sudan Tribune 2011-11-18">{{cite news|title
}}
==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Country study}} – [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html Sudan] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120630181108/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html |date=30 June 2012}}
*Walter C. Soderlund, E. Donald Briggs, ''The Independence of South Sudan: The Role of Mass Media in the Responsibility to Prevent'', Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2014. pp. $38.99 (paper), {{ISBN|978-1-77112-117-0}}
* Mohamed Omer Beshir: ''The Southern Sudan. Background to Conflict''. C. Hurst & Co., London 1968.
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*{{cite book|last1=Daly|first1=M. W.|last2=Rolandsen|first2=Øystein H.|title=A History of South Sudan: From Slavery to Independence|date=2016|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location=Cambridge, U.K.|isbn=978-0-521-11631-2|oclc=921821890}}
*{{cite book|last=Tvedt|first=Terje|title=South Sudan. An Annotated Bibliography. (2 vols)|year=2004|publisher=IB Tauris|location=London/New York|isbn=978-1-86064-987-5|edition=2nd}}
*{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12107760|title=Profile: Southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir|date=5 January 2011|
*{{cite
{{refend}}
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{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://twitter.com/southsudangov?lang=en Government of South Sudan]
* [https://www.southsudanembassyusa.org/ Government of South Sudan
* [https://embrss.org.uk/ Government of South Sudan
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-sudan/ South Sudan]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082 South Sudan profile] from the [[BBC News]].
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Sudan
* [http://sudanproject.ryanspencerreed.com/gallery/ Photographer's Account of South Sudan – "The Cost of Silence: A Traveling Exhibition"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101020011532/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/11/southern-sudan/teague-text "Sudan's Shaky Peace"], ''[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]]'', November 2010.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101017153604/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/11/southern-sudan/steinmetz-photography Photo gallery] by [[George Steinmetz]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140419170725/http://www.hnkcnews.com/2014/04/19/un-outrage-at-south-sudan-attack/ UN Outrage at South Sudan Attack]
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{{South Sudan topics}}
{{Countries of Africa}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2011 establishments in South Sudan]]
[[Category:Central African countries]]
[[Category:Countries in Africa]]
[[Category:East African Community]]
[[Category:East African countries]]
[[Category:
[[Category:Federal republics]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
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