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On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became a sovereign state, celebrated with fervor by its people. But beneath the jubilation lay the frailties of a nation built on shaky foundations. Ethnic divisions and political rivalries soon reared their heads as internal strife erupted.
The Descent into Civil War
Less than a year after independence, South Sudan found itself embroiled in conflict with multiple armed groups across its states. Civilian discontent grew against Kiir’s government, rooted in allegations of power hoarding and neglected rural development. By December 2013, what began as a political rift within Kiir’s ruling party quickly devolved into an ethnic conflict. The Dinka, dominated Kiir's forces, clashed violently with Machar’s Nuer supporters, igniting a horrific civil war.