On This Day, July 9: South Sudan Declares Independence

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The youngest nation in Africa celebrates its 15th anniversary on Thursday, July 9, 2026. South Sudan gained its independence after decades of war with Khartoum, a peace agreement signed in 2005 and a referendum on self-determination in 2011, approved by almost 99% of the voters of the South. But the hopes raised by independence left room for a new war. And again this year, there will be no official celebrations.