South Sudan marks 5th Independence anniversary as refugees flee violence and hunger

As the world’s youngest nation celebrates its fifth birthday, significant numbers of South Sudanese are still fleeing conflict and increasing hunger.

Cecilia and her child are from South Sudan,but will mark the independence anniversary in Kakuma, a refugee camp in Kenya.

They are an example of the tens of thousands of fellow countrymen from the disturbed country.

The young mother had to leave his native land because of lack of resources due to a long dry season.

And also because of the insecurity problem that has resulted to frequent clashes between rival groups in the country.

“There is a very severe in South Sudan she said, there is no rain and there is hunger. There is also a lot of insecurity. We came here in trucks, but it was stopped by the rebels on our way . They touched some people in the truck.” she said.

The camp is a temporary shelter, but may extend because news coming from South Sudan are not reassuring.

Army loyal to President Riek Machar and the troops of his vice-President Salva Kiir had exchanged fire this Friday in the capital Juba.The clash left five people dead.

Despite a peace agreement to end the conflict that began in December 2013, Over 2 million people spread across seven countries continue to live in exile.

Since the 15th of December 2013, when the first conflict broke out in the north-east African country, hundreds of thousands of refugees have sought asylum in four neighbouring countries.

However, this year, the figure has extended to six countries, in addition to Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda, refugees now seek asylum in Central Africa Republic and the Democratic republic of Congo.

6 months since South #Sudan's indepence, Ray Offenheiser highlights the countries potential & challenges: http://t.co/23xywl3I

— Oxfam America (@OxfamAmerica) January 11, 2012