South Sudan President Says Better Days Ahead After ‘Lost Decade’

JUBA , SOUTH SUDAN - On South Sudan’s 10th anniversary of independence Friday, President Salva Kiir pledged to improve security across the country and initiate widespread economic reforms – but many citizens said there is little to celebrate after living through a civil war, poverty and widespread hunger.

One day earlier, a group of religious leaders called it “a wasted decade.” In his televised speech from the State House in the capital, Juba, Kiir himself referred to the last 10 years as “a lost decade,” but also touted some achievements of the country’s unity government. Kiir said the post-civil war cessation of hostilities is holding because of "a new spirit of dialogue among the parties,” which he said has “reduced the huge trust deficit that existed before the signing of the revitalized peace agreement” in 2018. He said the priority of the Transitional Government of National Unity is full implementation of the agreement, with a focus on the security sector and economic reforms.