South Sudan is a country in northeastern Africa that is home to a wide variety of environments, wildlife, cultural traditions, and more than 14 million people. The people of South Sudan are made up of Dinka, Nuer, Zande, Bari, Shilluk, Anywa, and Arab peoples, all with their distinct languages and religious and cultural traditions. This beautiful diversity, as well as a variety of intervening global powers, also led to a long history of conflict, violence, and displacement. 

When a lengthy civil war in Sudan was brought to an end in 2005, southern Sudanese began planning for a movement toward separation from the north. On July 9, 2011, South Sudan declared independence and was welcomed by the international community. 

This transition has not been an easy one for South Sudan. Tensions with Sudan, economic troubles, tribal conflicts, and dissension in leadership prevented South Sudan from achieving stability. In December 2013 violence broke out between opposing political leaders and continued to escalate through 2016. This exacerbated other problems of famine and other natural disasters that have afflicted the people of South Sudan. This led to nearly 4.3 million South Sudanese people being displaced, most of whom are women and children.

Despite these struggles, the people of South Sudan continue to build a brighter future for their country. They continue to herd cattle, grow sorghum, sing their traditional songs, eat kisra and ful, play football, and tell the stories of their people. They are determined that their past will not be their future, and that South Sudan looks forward to flourishing.