Unhappy Anniversary, South Sudan
On Sunday, South Sudan marks six years as independent country. Between its civil war and humanitarian crisis, things are so bad that anniversary celebrations were canceled.
Six years ago Sunday, South Sudan's flag was hoisted in Juba.
Amid an atmosphere of optimism and hope, South Sudan became the world's newest country, breaking away from its longtime rival, Sudan.
The moment marked the end of decades of fighting between rebels in the predominantly Christian south of Sudan and their northern Arab rivals in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, who was in Juba that day, reported that with the parades and children singing, there was a mood of excitement.
"You know, I feel now happy, because we are finally liberated from the Arab rule. Myself, I am one of the founders.
