Civil war cancels South Sudan’s independence celebration

‘For the second year in a row, the world’s youngest nation will not have any official celebrations to mark the anniversary of its birth because of the widespread suffering caused by its ongoing civil war.
“We did not feel it was appropriate to spend whatever little funds we may have to celebrate, when our people are hugely affected by the economic crisis,” said South Sudan President Salva Kiir in an address to the nation on Sunday. “It’s difficult for many people to afford even one meal per day.”
Six years after South Sudan gained independence, the country is ravaged by fighting, severe hunger, mass displacement and accusations of war crimes by government and opposition forces.
For the country’s 11 million people, what began with optimism has turned into a day of mourning.
During four years of fighting, South Sudan’s situation has gravely deteriorated.’
Read more: Civil war cancels South Sudan’s independence celebration