2011 Edition

Background

Egypt attempted to colonize the region of southern Sudan by establishing the province of Equatoria in the 1870s. Islamic Mahdist revolutionaries overran the region in 1885, but in 1898 a British force was able to overthrow the Mahdist regime. An Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was established the following year with Equatoria being the southernmost of its eight provinces. The isolated region was largely left to itself over the following decades, but Christian missionaries converted much of the population and facilitated the spread of English. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, it was with the understanding that the southerners would be able to participate fully in the political system. When the Arab Khartoum government reneged on its promises, a mutiny began that led to two prolonged periods of conflict (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which perhaps 2.5 million people died - mostly civilians - due to starvation and drought. Ongoing peace talks finally resulted in a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January 2005. As part of this agreement the south was granted a six-year period of autonomy to be followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in January 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Independence was attained on 9 July 2011.

Area

644,329 sq km

total

644,329 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall is heaviest in the upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

NA Kinyeti 3,187 m

highest point

Kinyeti 3,187 m

Lowest point

NA

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 30 00 E

Geography - note

The Sudd is a vast swamp in South Sudan, formed by the White Nile, comprising more than 15% of the total area; it is one of the world's largest wetlands

Land boundaries

5,413 km Central African Republic 989 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 639 km, Ethiopia 934 km, Kenya 232 km, Sudan 2,184 km, Uganda 435 km South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan

border countries

Central African Republic 989 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 639 km, Ethiopia 934 km, Kenya 232 km, Sudan 2,184 km, Uganda 435 km

total

5,413 km

Location

Sahel region of northeastern Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural resources

hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver

Terrain

the terrain gradually rises from plains in the north and center to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country supporting agriculture and extensive wild animal populations; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country

Age structure

44.4% (male 1,945,033/female 1,722,860) 53% (male 2,216,427/female 2,157,893) 2.6% (male 125,840/female 92,437) (2008)

0-14 years

44.4% (male 1,945,033/female 1,722,860)

15-64 years

53% (male 2,216,427/female 2,157,893)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 125,840/female 92,437) (2008)

Drinking water source

urban: 67% of population rural: 53% of population total: 55% of population

rural

53% of population

total

55% of population

urban

67% of population

Ethnic groups

Dinka, Kakwa, Bari, Azande, Shilluk, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.1% (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate

102 deaths/1,000 live births (2006)

total

102 deaths/1,000 live births (2006)

Languages

English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants) (official), regional languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 27% 40% 16%

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

16%

male

40%

total population

27%

Major cities - population

JUBA (capital) 250,000 (2008 est.)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne disease

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne disease

malaria, dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Nationality

South Sudanese (singular and plural) South Sudanese

adjective

South Sudanese

noun

South Sudanese (singular and plural)

Population

8,260,490 (according to disputed 2008 census; actual number may be as high as 9.28 million) (2008)

Religions

animist, Christian

Urbanization

22% (2009 est.)

urban population

22% (2009 est.)

Administrative divisions

10 states; Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria

Capital

Juba 04 51 N 31 37 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

04 51 N 31 37 E

name

Juba

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, effective 9 July 2011

Country name

Republic of South Sudan South Sudan

conventional long form

Republic of South Sudan

conventional short form

South Sudan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant), Charge d' Affaires R. Barrie WALKLEY Juba

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant), Charge d' Affaires R. Barrie WALKLEY

embassy

Juba

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant), head of mission Ezekiel Lol GATKOUTH 1233 20th St. NW, Suite 602, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 293-7943 [1] (202) 293-7941

chancery

1233 20th St. NW, Suite 602, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant), head of mission Ezekiel Lol GATKOUTH

FAX

[1] (202) 293-7941

telephone

[1] (202) 293-7943

Executive branch

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice President Riek MACHAR (since 10 July 2011); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice President Riek MACHAR (since 10 July 2011) National Council of Ministers; appointed by the president and approved by a resolution from the Legislative Assembly president elected by popular vote for a four year term; election last held on 11-15 April 2010 (next to be held in 2015) Salva KIIR Mayardit elected president; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit 93%, Lam AKOL 7%

cabinet

National Council of Ministers; appointed by the president and approved by a resolution from the Legislative Assembly

chief of state

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice President Riek MACHAR (since 10 July 2011); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Salva KIIR Mayardit elected president; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit 93%, Lam AKOL 7%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a four year term; election last held on 11-15 April 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

head of government

President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice President Riek MACHAR (since 10 July 2011)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side contains a gold, five-pointed star; black represents the people of South Sudan, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green the verdant land, and blue the waters of the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the states making up South Sudan resembles the flag of Kenya; one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Africa's

Government type

republic

Independence

9 July 2011 (from Sudan)

International organization participation

AU, IFRCS, Interpol, ITU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU

Judicial branch

Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, High Courts, County Courts

Legislative branch

bicameral National Legislature consists of the National Legislative Assembly (332 seats) and the Council of States (50 seats); members serve four-year terms National Legislative Assembly - last held 11-15 April 2010 (next to be held in 2015); Council of States - established and members appointed 1 August 2011 National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 251, SPLM-DC 6, NCP 3, independent 6, unknown 66; Council of States - seats by party - SPLM 20, unknown 30 a presidential decree of 1 August 2011 reconstituted the National Legislative Assembly, as permitted under Article 94 of the Transitional Constitution, to include the 170 members elected 11-15 April 2010, 96 former members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Sudan, and 66 newly appointed members for a total of 332; a presidential decree also established a Council of States, initially with 50 members - the 20 former members of the Council of States of the Republic of Sudan plus an additional 30 appointed representatives

election results

National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 251, SPLM-DC 6, NCP 3, independent 6, unknown 66; Council of States - seats by party - SPLM 20, unknown 30

elections

National Legislative Assembly - last held 11-15 April 2010 (next to be held in 2015); Council of States - established and members appointed 1 August 2011

National anthem

South Sudan Oyee! (Hooray!) collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers adopted 2011; the anthem was selected in a national contest

lyrics/music

collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers

name

South Sudan Oyee! (Hooray!)

National holiday

Independence Day, (9 July 2011)

National symbol(s)

African fish eagle

Political parties and leaders

Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM; National Congress Party or NCP; Sudan People's Liberation Movement for Democratic Change or SPLM-DC

Agriculture - products

sorghum, maize, rice, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, mangoes, papayas, bananas, sweet potatoes sunflower, cotton, sesame, cassava, beans, peanuts; cattle, sheep

Economy - overview

Industry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with the north. Subsistence agriculture provides a living for the vast majority of the population. Property rights are tentative and price signals are missing because markets are not well organized. South Sudan has little infrastructure - just 60 km of paved roads. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators and running water is scarce. The government spends large sums of money to maintain a large army; delays in paying salaries have resulted in riots by unruly soldiers. Ethnic conflicts have resulted in a large number of civilian deaths and displacement. South Sudan depends largely on imports of goods, services, and capital from the north. Despite these disadvantages, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan produces nearly three-fourths of the former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The government of South Sudan derives nearly 98% of its budget revenues from oil. Oil is exported through two pipelines that run to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea, and the 2005 oil sharing agreement with Khartoum called for a 50-50 sharing of oil revenues between the two entities. That deal expired on 9 July, however, when South Sudan became an independent country. The economy of South Sudan undoubtedly will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the long lead time and great expense required to build another pipeline. South Sudan also holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa in the White Nile valley, which has very fertile soils and more-than-adequate water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. South Sudan also contains large wildlife herds, which could be exploited in the future to attract eco-tourists. And the White Nile has sufficient flow to generate large quantities of hydroelectricity. South Sudan does not have large external debt or structural trade deficits. South Sudan has received more than $4 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the UK, US, Norway, and Netherlands, but Khartoum has imposed blockades on goods and capital going to South Sudan. The World Bank plans to support investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and power generation. The Government of South Sudan has set a target for economic growth of 6% for the remainder of 2011, and expects 7.2% growth in 2012. Inflation stood at 8.6% in April 2011, with high fuel prices pushing up food prices. After independence, South Sudan's central bank plans to issue a new currency, the South Sudanese Pound, allowing a short grace period for turning in the old currency. Long term problems include alleviating poverty, maintaining macroeconomic stability, improving tax collection and financial management, focusing resources on speeding growth, and improving the business environment.

Broadcast media

TV is controlled by the government; several private FM stations are operational in South Sudan; some foreign radio broadcasts are available

Internet country code

.sd; note - IANA has not yet designated a separate country code for South Sudan

Telephone system

country code - 211

international

country code - 211

Airports

: 24 country comparison to the world: 133

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

16

total

22

under 914 m

1

Railways

est. 236 km; note - rail system reported to be in disrepair (2010)

Roadways

est. 7,000 km; note - very little of the road network is paved and much of it is in disrepair (2010)

Waterways

see entry for Sudan

Military branches

South Sudan Armed Forces

Military service age and obligation

the Government of South Sudan announced in August 2010 that anyone younger than 18 years of age would be mustered out of the army, but 900 children were estimated to still be active at the end of that year; in April 2011, a conscription program was being implemented to thwart recruitment of military-aged males into other armed groups (2011)

Disputes - international

South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment, final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan; periodic violent skirmishes with South Sudanese residents over water and grazing rights persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic; the boundary that separates Kenya and South Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times

Refugees and internally displaced persons

21,000 (mostly from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia) 80,000 (2010)

IDPs

80,000 (2010)

refugees (country of origin)

21,000 (mostly from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia)