In July 2011, South Sudan was granted independence and became the world's newest country. Yet just two-and-a-half years after this momentous decision, the country was in the grips of renewed civil war and political strife. Hilde F. Johnson served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan from July 2011 until July 2014 and, as such, she was witness to the many challenges which the country faced as it struggled to adjust to its new autonomous state. In this book, she provides an unparalleled insider's account of South Sudan's descent from the ecstatic celebrations of July 2011 to the outbreak of the disastrous conflict in December 2013 and the early, bloody phase of the fighting. Johnson's frequent personal and private contacts at the highest levels of government, accompanied by her deep knowledge of the country and its history, make this a unique eyewitness account of the turbulent first three years of the world's newest - and yet most fragile - country.

In 2011, South Sudan became independent following a long war of liberation, that gradually became marked by looting, raids and massacres pitting ethnic communities against each other. In this remarkably comprehensive work, Edward Thomas provides a multi-layered examination of what is happening in the country today. Writing from the perspective of South Sudan's most mutinous hinterland, Jonglei state, the book explains how this area was at the heart of South Sudan's struggle. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and a broad range of sources, this book gives a sharply focused, fresh account of South Sudan's long, unfinished fight for liberation.

The Sudan can demonstrate that while there is no short-cut to progress there is one to decay and misery. After eleven years of peace, the second civil war has now lasted for more than ten years. Regional, ethnic and religious conflicts are intensifying all over the country. The economy is in shambles while a small lite is enriching itself.

The Republic of South Sudan gained independence from the Republic of Sudan on 9 July 2011, following civil wars that began in 1955 and left more than two million dead. Challenges faced by the new government are daunting with some of the worst social indicators globally. The Department for International Development has quickly established and scaled up a full office in Juba and developed a four-year development and humanitarian aid programme amounting to some £360 million making South Sudan one of the largest recipients of UK bilateral aid. Regrettably, the delivery of DFID's programme is already at risk before it has properly begun with the humanitarian crisis created by the loss of South Sudan's oil revenue, combined with the increasing number of returnees and refugees arriving in the country and ongoing inter-tribal violence. The South Sudan government has introduced austerity measures to cope with the loss of 98% of its income but the UK, and other donors, cannot bankroll South Sudan through this austerity period. DFID has already re-focussed its development programmes away from long-term development towards supporting the most vulnerable people and saving lives. Overall, the Committee believes that DFID's programme is diverse and challenging, although it is too early to judge its success. There have been well-documented difficulties with both World Bank and UN administered pooled funds in South Sudan and there is concern at channelling aid through them. The emphasis that DFID gives to the equality of girls and women in its programme is welcomed and, despite the pressures and uncertainties this should be maintained