South Sudan, the world's youngest country, on Thursday marks the 15th anniversary of its independence, following decades of war with Sudan, a 2005 peace agreement and a 2011 self-determination referendum in which almost 99 percent of voters backed statehood. But the hopes that came with it have given way to renewed conflict, economic collapse and political deadlock.
For several years now, the government of President Salva Kiir has cancelled large Independence Day celebrations, saying they are too expensive and the authorities have other priorities.
