South Sudan at age 5: Here’s why it’s not a happy birthday
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South Sudan became independent on July 9, 2011. In December 2013, a power struggle within the government led to internal conflict and widespread civilian displacement.
The conflict added to an economic crisis linked to the falling price of oil and a drop in exports by pipeline through its former adversary, Sudan.
A peace deal between rival President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar seems at risk as shootings were reported from the capital, Juba, this week.
Inflation, displacement and hunger are on the rise. Relief efforts have cost $6 billion since independence and a U.N. peacekeeping mission costs an additional $1 billion per year.
In short, as South Sudan turns 5, there’s little to celebrate (see the interactive versions of these charts here):
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