South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, marked its first year of independence from Sudan Monday, but the sub-Saharan African nation faces a litany of problems.
South Sudan’s economy has been steadily declining, its development plans have been stifled due to humanitarian crises, and tensions are raised between it and Sudan, its northern neighbor.
However, the country has attempted to move forward to build a legal system and build up its infrastructure, yet it still remains one of the world’s poorest countries.
“The people of South Sudan have made tremendous sacrifices to reach this historic juncture,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement Monday. He added that South Sudan still has a number of unresolved issues, including ethnic violence, border demarcation, and dealing with the notorious rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army.
IRIN, a U.N. humanitarian news agency, noted that aid agencies are still providing most services in the country.
The agency said that the Juba Teaching Hospital, the country’s best, is “gloomy” and “packed.” Hospital CEO Akajomsuk Moi said, “The [580-bed] hospital is so small and the [patients] just keep increasing.”
“As you can see, there are people lying on the floor,” he added.
One of the issues is that South Sudan relies on Sudan’s infrastructure to transport oil. South Sudan decided to stop pumping six months ago even though it was the country’s main source of revenue. The two nations have begun talks again, Al-Jazeera reports.
