As South Sudan celebrates the first anniversary of its independence, USIP offers a range of resources for examining the new country's first year and for beginning to discuss its trajectory in the coming years.  

Beyond the First Year Event

As the world marks the first year of South Sudan’s independence, the new state has made important progress on some fronts but still faces daunting challenges ahead, including continuing instability, security sector reform, budget shortfalls and corruption. In this event, senior representatives from the government of South Sudan and the US government will reflect on the year since independence and discuss South Sudan’s road ahead, including how the international community can be of greatest assistance. 

USIP Specialists on South Sudan

South Sudan celebrated the first anniversary of its formal independence and nationhood on July 9. Though hopes for progress remain high, the young nation is struggling on several fronts—internal security, relations with Sudan, development, rule of law and statebuilding. The specialists at the U.S. Institute of Peace who work on conflict management and peacebuilding programs in South Sudan examine the gains made and the many challenges ahead.

Statebuilding in South Sudan Reports

With its secession from Sudan on July 9, 2011, South Sudan not only gained its eagerly-awaited independence, but also embarked onto the long road of state building. Over the past year, the new country has begun to confront the myriad challenges it faces in sustainable development, good governance, and capacity building. In addition, the world's newest state is also coping with cross-cutting issues of managing resources, constructing a sense of nationhood, and contending with problems particular to youth and women. These reports begin to address some of the central challenges to statebuilding in South Sudan.

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