Today marks three years since South Sudan’s independence and six months and 26 days since that start of a civil war that has killed tens of thousands, put to flight nearly a fifth of the population, and driven millions into destitution and hunger.

The country’s president says he waged the war because his political rivals attempted a coup. His rivals accuse him of orchestrating a violent purge.

In interviews, citizens expressed mixed feelings about the independence day event. “We will mark it in a very sombre mood,” said Mabior Garang de Mabior. “Our people are suffering.”

Juma Ramadan, Juba resident: “It is sad to celebrate while our brothers and sisters are taking refuge at United Nation protection sites.”

“We messed ourselves alone, nobody should be blamed for that, we fought for 21 years in order for us to have our own country, but we did not put things in right way. Our country has been seen as the worst corrupt and most failed state in the whole world.”

Mama Nafisa Kiden, Juba resident: “Yes there are some mistakes in our country, but we must learn from those mistakes so that we will be strong in the future.” 

Riak Awan, Minister in the Office of the President: “South Sudanese were supposed to be fighting the fight of development, serving people and having stability in the country to allow citizens who suffered for many years during the struggle to have peace.”

“My message to the citizens of South Sudan is the message of peace. We are in the 3rd year our independence and still we are fighting each other. This is something very sad and it will not make us develop or build this country.”

Michael Makuei, Minister of Information and Broadcasting: “Peace is just around the corner and it was our hope we would sign at the peace talks and come and celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the independence here in Juba – unfortunately things did not go as planned but nevertheless we will not give up for peace.” 

“I would like to congratulate the people of South Sudan on the celebration of the 3rd anniversary of our independence. It is my hope that this year will be a year of peace and prosperity.”

Mabior Garang de Mabior, spokesman of SPLM-IO: “It is very unfortunate to think about celebrating in such a time like now, when our people are suffering… I don’t think there is anything to celebrate about at the moment. … We will mark it in a very sombre mood because of the destruction in our country.” 

Zachariah Diing Akol, Sudd Institute researcher: “2011 was the termination of many years of struggle by the South Sudanese for a sense of respect, for a dignified life to live in freedom.”

“People were very excited, people spent the whole night in the streets, it was very powerful. The sense of being victorious, the sense of living peacefully, without fear in your own country: that has changed drastically. Many lives have been lost.”

Augustino, Juba resident: “President Salva Kiir promised provision of many services which are not implemented in all his nine years in power.”

John Deng, Renk resident: “For the anniversary celebration of South Sudan’s independence, in Renk it should be something good, but we are not sure whether the coming year will be good.”

“The reason is because many people ran away, and the country is not safe. But God willing people will start coming back and it will not get worse.”

Abraham Tut Mayak Kai, Juba UN PoC Camp resident: “I would rather live in Khartoum than South Sudan. I don't want to stay in South Sudan, the security is not good for us Nuer.”

“I feel South Sudanese but I'm not treated as a citizen of this country. At the moment, we're not a country.”

Sources: Radio Tamazuj, AFP, Bakhita Radio, Radio Miraya

File photo: The memorial in Juba of John Garang de Mabior, founder of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)