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| In this photo taken Monday, June 29, 2015, a displaced woman holds a child in the UN base in Bentiu, South Sudan. People seek shelter at UN camps across South Sudan to escape the country's violent civil conflict. (AP Photo/Jason Patinkin) |
South Sudanese civilians have paid the greatest price for the war. The conflictbegan in December 2013. It resulted from a dispute between President SalvaKiir and his former vice president, Riek Machar. Their disagreement fueledethnic violence.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed across the country. The fighting has forced more than two million others from their homes. Millionsmore are facing food insecurity. They do not have enough to eat.
Nhial Tiitmamer is a policy expert with the Sudd Institute in Juba. He saysthere are understandably mixed feelings on the anniversary of its hard-foughtindependence from Sudan.
“You know, the people on the one hand are happy to mark the fourthindependence anniversary of South Sudan. And then on the other hand, theyare worried about tomorrow because of the ongoing conflict.”
Tough economic troubles
South Sudan’s economy is dependent on oil exports. The collapse of oil pricesworldwide and the civil war have caused serious economic damage.
Nhial Tiitmamer says the weak economy has affected people in Juba, thecapital.
In his words, “to import goods, you need to get hard currency, and this hasmade living standards really hard for the people because the price of majorgoods is skyrocketing.”
Both sides have been accused of rights violations during the conflict. Theywere also accused of sexually abusing children and forcing some to becomesoldiers.
About 150,000 people have sought shelter in United Nations camps acrossthe country.
Hope 'in short supply'
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said “hope is in short supply” in SouthSudan. He called on President Kiir and Mr. Machar to “prove their leadershipby investing in a political solution.”
Susan Rice once served as the United States ambassador to the UnitedNations. She now works as the National Security Advisor to President BarackObama.
Ms. Rice recorded a message to the South Sudanese people. She said that itbreaks her heart to see what South Sudan has become. She placed theblame on the country’s leaders.
“President Kiir and Riek Machar and their cronies are personally responsiblefor this new war and self-inflicted disaster. And only leaders on both sides canend this violence.”
The two sides have been taking part in lengthy peace negotiations. The EastAfrican group IGAD is assisting with the talks. But they have failed to producea lasting agreement.
The competing sides blame each other for delays in the negotiations. Theyhave yet to agree about a proposed power-sharing agreement andreunification of the armed forces.
On Wednesday, President Kiir began a new three-year term in office afterlawmakers voted to extend his rule.
I’m Caty Weaver.
VOA’s Gabe Joselow reported on this story from Nairobi, Kenya. GeorgeGrow wrote it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.
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Words in This Story
ongoing – adj. continuing to exist or happen
currency– n. a system of money
standards – n. rules; a level of quality that is considered acceptable
skyrocketing– adj. going up or rising very quickly
cronies – n. close friends or assistants
