Roundup: South Sudan marks 4th independence anniversary amid war-shattered dreams

Celebrations of South Sudan's 4th independence anniversary were launched Thursday in the capital Juba, yet the festivities could not conceal the actual state of the war-torn country and people's shattered dreams.

South Sudan secured its independence in July 2011, in accordance with a referendum on self-determination organized in January 2011.

However, it plunged into violent clashes in December 2013 as fighting erupted between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and defectors led by his former deputy Riek Machar.

Coinciding with South Sudan's 4th independence anniversary, the UN announced an increase in the numbers of South Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

In addition, UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reportedly said that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) disclosed that there are 740,000 South Sudanese refugees and over 1.5 million IDPs.

The violent war between the government and the rebels has weakened the new-born state, exhausting its resources.

Following four years of independence, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit admitted his government's failure before parliament on Wednesday, saying that "there were failures in delivering services to citizens due to corruption and institutional weaknesses."

South Sudan's parliament on Wednesday officially extended President Kiir's term in office for three years.

Kiir vowed before parliament members to work towards ending the war and attaining peace and stability in South Sudan.

He further called on the rebels to reclaim their place on the negotiations table, in order to reach reconciliation in South Sudan.

However, South Sudan's rebels seem to be eschewing Kiir's call for dialogue.

"Salva Kiir's government is responsible for what is currently happening in South Sudan. He killed our peoples' dreams and wasted the country's resources," Manawa Peter, spokesperson of Machar's rebel group, told Xinhua.

"It is unlikely that Kiir will initiate dialogue, since he is launching a fait accompli policy to pass a resolution extending his presidential mandate for three years," he noted.

The international community has so far failed to resolve the South Sudanese conflict despite punitive measures, the last of which was a week ago, when the UN Security Council imposed sanctions on six military commanders in South Sudan.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment over the current situation in South Sudan on the eve of South Sudan's 4th independence anniversary.

"Four years ago, I stood in Juba with throngs of proud citizens watching the flag rise for the first time over the newest member state in the United Nations. I will never forget the feeling of joy and hope," said Ban in a press release Wednesday.

"Those memories are now all the more painful to recall as we mark the fourth anniversary of a country where hope is in short supply," he noted.

The South Sudanese people are suffering unconscionable violence and unspeakable sexual abuse, he said.

He added that instead of the anticipated progress and development which the international community invested in, over 1.6 million individuals are currently displaced, including 150,000 presently seeking refuge in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) protection sites.

The warfare in South Sudan left thousands dead and forced 1.9 million to flee their homes. Endit