The Civil War In South Sudan Continues As The Country `Celebrates`Its 4th Year Anniversary

New York Times: South Sudan’s Fourth Anniversary Offers Little to Celebrate

JUBA, South Sudan — The laborers, hundreds of them, were hard at work, busily fixing roads, painting buildings and making the parade grounds sparkle.

At first glance, it might appear that the economy of this nation, one of the world’s poorest, is humming back to life.

It is not.

The work was being done in preparation for Thursday, when the governing party led by President Salva Kiir will celebrate the fourth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence.

The day after the festivities, residents say, the work will stop.

It is a Potemkin celebration, they say, marking an occasion that was greeted with such great hope in 2011 but that now rings hollow for many as the country descends further into division and misery.

More News On South Sudan

South Sudan: 4 years of freedom, 18 months of war -- News24
No peace in sight as South Sudan sinks into 'new brutality' -- AFP
South Sudan: four years of freedom, 18 months of war -- AFP
South Sudan rebel leader calls on president to resign -- AP
South Sudan rebel leader says no peace while president remains -- AFP
S. Sudan Army Rejects UN Report Citing Atrocities -- VOA
730,000 South Sudanese fled to neighbouring countries as refugees -- Sudan Tribune
More than 2.25 million now displaced in South Sudan and across its borders -- UNHCR
Over 150,000 South Sudanese sheltering in UN bases -- RTE
South Sudan Cholera Outbreak 2015: Reported Cases Top 700 In Five Weeks, Young Children Most Vulnerable -- IBTimes
Bullets banish books in South Sudan as education becomes a casualty of war -- The Guardian
Four years in, the world’s newest country South Sudan introduces its first coins -- Quartz