South Sudan Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Demographics == [[File:John Garang Mausoleum Square in Juba.JPG|thumb|John Garang Square in Juba]] {{Main|Demographics of South Sudan}} {{see also|List of cities in South Sudan}} South Sudan has a population of approximately {{#expr:{{formatnum:{{UN_Population|South Sudan}}|R}}/1e6 round 0}} million{{UN_Population|ref}} and a predominantly rural, subsistence economy. This region has been negatively affected by war for all but 10 of the years since 1956, resulting in serious neglect, lack of [[infrastructure]] development, and major destruction and displacement. More than 2 million people have died, and more than 4 million are [[internally displaced person]]s or became [[refugee]]s as a result of the civil war and its impact. [[File:Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan (28 05 2009).jpg|thumb|Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan]] [[File:USAID-funded Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction project.jpg|thumb|Rural school children participating in the [[USAID]]-funded Southern Sudan Interactive Radio Instruction project, July 2010]] === Ethnic groups === The major [[ethnic group]]s present in South Sudan are the [[Dinka people|Dinka]] at approximately 40 percent of the population, the [[Nuer people|Nuer]] at approximately 20 percent, and the [[Azande]] at approximately 10 percent, as well as the [[Shilluk people|Shilluk]] and [[Bari people|Bari]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.med.virginia.edu/family-medicine/wp-content/uploads/sites/285/2018/12/Azobou_South-Sudan-Refugee-Crisis-112018.pdf|title=South Sudan Refugee Crisis|website=med.virginia.edu|language=en|access-date=October 1, 2018}}</ref> Currently, around 800,000 expatriates from the [[Horn of Africa]] are living in South Sudan. {{cn|date=May 2023}} === Education === {{Main|Education in South Sudan}} Unlike the previous educational system of the regional Southern Sudan—which was modelled after the system used in the Republic of Sudan since 1990—the current educational system of the Republic of South Sudan follows the {{nowrap|8 + 4 + 4}} system (similar to Kenya). Primary education consists of eight years, followed by four years of [[secondary education]], and then four years of university instruction. The primary language at all levels is English, as compared to the Republic of Sudan, where the [[language of instruction]] is [[Modern Standard Arabic|Arabic]]. In 2007, South Sudan adopted English as the [[official language]] of communication. There is a severe shortage of English teachers and English-speaking teachers in the scientific and technical fields. On 1 October 2019, The South Sudan Library Foundation opened South Sudan's first public library, the Juba Public Peace Library in Gudele 2.<ref name="www.thechristiantimes.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.thechristiantimes.net/index.php/s-sudan/19-education/2434-first-public-library-opens-in-south-sudan-advocates-for-peace|title=The Christian Times – First public library opens in South Sudan, advocates for peace|website=www.thechristiantimes.net|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107132917/http://www.thechristiantimes.net/index.php/s-sudan/19-education/2434-first-public-library-opens-in-south-sudan-advocates-for-peace|archive-date=7 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="med.virginia.edu">{{cite web|url=https://audioboom.com/posts/7327847-instilling-a-culture-of-reading-south-sudan-looks-forward-to-new-public-library|title=Instilling a culture of reading; South Sudan looks forward to new public library|website=Audioboom|language=en|access-date=7 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107132914/https://audioboom.com/posts/7327847-instilling-a-culture-of-reading-south-sudan-looks-forward-to-new-public-library|archive-date=7 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The library currently employs a staff of over 40 volunteers and maintains a collection of over 13,000 books.<ref name="med.virginia.edu" /> The South Sudan Library Foundation was co-founded by Yawusa Kintha and Kevin Lenahan.<ref name="www.thechristiantimes.net" /><ref name="med.virginia.edu" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sydney.edu.au/business/news-and-events/news/2019/02/07/mba-student-establishes-ngo-to-improve-literacy-in-south-sudan.html|title=MBA student establishes NGO to improve literacy in South Sudan|website=The University of Sydney|language=en-AU|access-date=11 November 2019}}</ref> === Languages === {{Main|Languages of South Sudan}} The official language of South Sudan is English.<ref name="engwork" /> All indigenous languages spoken in South Sudan are national languages of which [[Dinka language|Dinka]], [[Nuer language|Nuer]], [[Murle language|Murle]], [[Luo languages|Luo]], [[Ma'di language|Ma'di]], [[Otuho language|Otuho]], and [[Zande language|Zande]] are the most widely spoken. It has been proposed that [[Swahili language|Swahili]] be made a second official language, and it has been added to the curriculum to be taught at schools in South Sudan since they are part of the [[East African Community]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=AfricaNews|date=2017-07-06|title=S. Sudan to adopt Swahili as official language, seeks Tanzania's help|url=https://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help/|access-date=2022-04-08|website=Africanews|language=en}}</ref> There are over 60 [[indigenous language]]s, most classified under the [[Nilo-Saharan languages|Nilo-Saharan Language family]]; collectively, they represent two of the first-order divisions of [[Nilotic languages|Nile Sudanic]] and [[Central Sudanic languages|Central Sudanic]]. ====Constitution updates==== The interim constitution of 2005 declared in Part 1, Chapter 1, No. 6 (1) that "[a]ll indigenous languages of Southern Sudan are [[national language]]s and shall be respected, developed and promoted." In Part 1, Chapter 1, No. 6 (2), it was stated that "English and [[Arabic]] shall be the official working languages at the level of the governments of Southern Sudan and the States as well as languages of instruction for higher education."<ref>[http://www.chr.up.ac.za/undp/domestic/docs/c_SouthernSudan.pdf ''The Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan'', 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170713/http://www.chr.up.ac.za/undp/domestic/docs/c_SouthernSudan.pdf|date=3 March 2016}} (PDF; 484 kB), Part One, Page. 3–4, No. 6 (1), (2), retrieved 6 May 2017</ref> The government of the new independent state later removed Arabic as an official language and chose English as the sole official language. The new transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan of 2011 declares in Part 1, Chapter 1, No. 6 (1) that "[a]ll indigenous languages of South Sudan are national languages and shall be respected, developed and promoted." In Part 1, Chapter 1, No. 6 (2), it is defined that "English shall be the official working language in the Republic of South Sudan, as well as the language of instruction at all levels of education."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/The_Draft_Transitional_Constitution_of_the_ROSS2-2.pdf|title=The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011|access-date=6 May 2017|publisher=Government of South Sudan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629170732/http://www.sudantribune.com/IMG/pdf/The_Draft_Transitional_Constitution_of_the_ROSS2-2.pdf|archive-date=29 June 2011|url-status=live}} Part One, Page 3, No. 6 (1), (2), retrieved 6 May 2017</ref> On 6 July 2017, South Sudan stated that it might adopt Swahili as an additional official language due to its seeking [[Tanzania]]'s help to send Swahili teachers to the country as it introduces the language in school curriculum ahead of its possible adoption as an official language.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help/|title=S. Sudan to adopt Swahili as official language, seeks Tanzania's help – Africanews|last=AfricaNews|date=5 July 2017|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008025942/http://www.africanews.com/2017/07/06/s-sudan-to-adopt-swahili-as-official-language-seeks-tanzania-s-help/|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ====Some areas==== In the border region between [[Western Bahr el Ghazal]] [[States of South Sudan|state]] and Sudan are an indeterminate number of people from [[West Africa]]n countries who settled here on their way back from [[Mecca]] – who have assumed a traditionally [[nomadic]] life – that resides either seasonally or permanently. They primarily speak [[Chadic languages|Chadian languages]] and their traditional territories are in the southern portions of the Sudanese regions of Northern [[Kurdufan]] and [[Darfur]]. In the capital, Juba, there are several thousand people who use non-classical Arabic, usually a pidgin called [[Juba Arabic]], but South Sudan's ambassador to [[Kenya]] said on 2 August 2011 that [[Swahili language|Swahili]] will be introduced in South Sudan with the goal of supplanting Arabic as a ''[[lingua franca]]'', in keeping with the country's intention of orientation toward the [[East African Community]] rather than Sudan and the [[Arab League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://assistamerica.countrywatch.com/rcountry.aspx?vcountry=89&topic=CBWIR&uid=5271402|agency=Xinhua|date=2 August 2011|access-date=16 September 2013|title=South Sudanese still in Kenya despite new state|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411015341/http://assistamerica.countrywatch.com/rcountry.aspx?vcountry=89|archive-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> Nevertheless, South Sudan submitted an application to join the Arab League as a [[Member states of the Arab League|member state]] on 25 March 2014, which is still pending.<ref>[[Middle East Monitor]]: [https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140412-south-sudan-and-chad-apply-to-join-the-arab-league ''South Sudan and Chad apply to join the Arab League''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913231309/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20140412-south-sudan-and-chad-apply-to-join-the-arab-league/|date=13 September 2017}}, 12 April 2014, retrieved 3 May 2017</ref> In an interview with the newspaper [[Asharq Al-Awsat]], the Foreign Minister of South Sudan [[Deng Alor Kuol]] said: South Sudan is the closest African country to the [[Arab world]], and we speak a special kind of Arabic known as Juba Arabic.<ref>[[Asharq Al-Awsat]]: [http://english.aawsat.com/ahmedyounis/interviews/foreign-minister-south-sudan-considering-joining-arab-league ''Foreign Minister of South Sudan: We Are Considering Joining the Arab League''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913233152/https://english.aawsat.com/ahmedyounis/interviews/foreign-minister-south-sudan-considering-joining-arab-league|date=13 September 2017}}, 7 June 2016, retrieved 3 May 2017</ref> Sudan supports South Sudan's request to join the Arab League.<ref>[[Sudan Tribune]]: [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article59689 ''Khartoum supports South Sudan demand to join Arab League''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018103721/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article59689|date=18 October 2017}}, 21 July 2016, retrieved 3 May 2017</ref> Juba Arabic is a [[lingua franca]] in South Sudan.<ref>[https://www.unicef.org/esaro/UNICEF(2016)LanguageandLearning-SouthSudan-CaseStudy.pdf ''The impact of language policy and practice on children's learning: Evidence from Eastern and Southern Africa 2016''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183348/https://www.unicef.org/esaro/UNICEF(2016)LanguageandLearning-SouthSudan-CaseStudy.pdf|date=13 September 2017}} (PDF; 672 kB), Page. 1, retrieved 20 May 2017</ref> === Population === ==== 2008 census ==== [[File:South Sudan 034.jpg|thumb|upright|Woman in South Sudan]] [[File:Village in South Sudan.jpg|thumb|A village in South Sudan]] The "Fifth Population and Housing Census of Sudan", for Sudan as a whole, was conducted in April 2008. The census counted the Southern Sudan population at 8.26 million;<ref name="n24">{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/World/News/Discontent-over-Sudan-census-20090521|title=Discontent over Sudan census|date=21 May 2009|work=News24.com|access-date=14 July 2011|agency=AFP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713214109/http://www.news24.com/World/News/Discontent-over-Sudan-census-20090521|archive-date=13 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="epro">{{cite news|url=http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/s-sudan-census-bureau-releases-official-results-amidst-ongoing-census-controversy|title=S. Sudan Census Bureau Releases Official Results Amidst Ongoing Census Controversy|work=!enough The project to end genocide and crimes against humanity|date=8 June 2009|first=Maggie|last=Fick|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717031826/http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/s-sudan-census-bureau-releases-official-results-amidst-ongoing-census-controversy|archive-date=17 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> however, Southern Sudanese officials rejected the census results of Southern Sudan because "the central bureau of statistics in [[Khartoum]] refused to share the national Sudan raw census data with the southern Sudan centre for census, statistics and evaluation."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article31746|title=South Sudan parliament throws out census results|work=SudanTribune|date=8 July 2009|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712230242/http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article31746|archive-date=12 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, President Kiir "suspected figures were being deflated in some regions and inflated in others, and that made the final tally 'unacceptable'."<ref name="newvis">{{cite news|url=http://www.newsudanvision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1677:southern-sudanese-officials-decry-unfortunate-announcement-of-census-results&catid=1:sudan-news-stories&Itemid=6|title=South Sudanese officials decry 'unfortunate' announcement of census results|work=The New Sudan Vision|date=10 May 2009|first=Marvis|last=Birungi|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714174659/http://www.newsudanvision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1677:southern-sudanese-officials-decry-unfortunate-announcement-of-census-results&catid=1:sudan-news-stories&Itemid=6|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He claimed that the Southern Sudanese population actually constituted one-third of that of Sudan, though the census showed it to be only 22%.<ref name="epro" /> Many southern Sudanese were also said to have been uncounted "due to bad weather, poor communication and transport networks, and some areas were unreachable, while many southern Sudanese remained in exile in neighbouring countries, leading to 'unacceptable results', according [to] southern Sudanese authorities."<ref name="newvis" /> The chief American technical adviser for the census in the south said that the census-takers probably reached only 89% of the population.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103124761|title=Ethnic Divisions Complicate Sudan's Census|work=NPR|first=Gwen|last=Thompkins|date=15 April 2009|access-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109134348/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103124761|archive-date=9 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> ==== 2009 census ==== In 2009, Sudan initiated a Southern Sudanese census ahead of the [[2011 South Sudanese independence referendum|2011 independence referendum]], which would also include the [[South Sudanese diaspora]]; however, this initiative was criticised for leaving out countries with a high share of the South Sudanese diaspora, rather counting countries where the diaspora share was low.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/south-sudan-claims-northern-sudans-census-dishonest|title=South Sudan says Northern Sudan's census dishonest|work=Radio Nederland Wereldomroep|date=6 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724170053/http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/south-sudan-claims-northern-sudans-census-dishonest|archive-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> === Largest cities === {| class="wikitable" style="width:50em" |- ! colspan=5| Largest cities or towns in South Sudan<br />{{nobold|According to the 2008 Census<ref>{{cite web|title=South Sudan: States, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts|url=http://citypopulation.de/SouthSudan-Cities.html|website=citypopulation.de}}</ref>}} |- ! Rank ! [[List of cities in South Sudan|Name]] ! [[States of South Sudan|State]] ! Pop. | rowspan=11 style="text-align: center"| [[File:Juba City.jpg|border|120px|Juba]]<br>[[Juba]]<br />[[File:Wau, Sudan - panoramio.jpg|border|120px|Wau]]<br>[[Wau, South Sudan|Wau]] |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 1|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Juba]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Central Equatoria]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 230,195 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 2|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Wau, South Sudan|Wau]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Western Bahr el Ghazal]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 118,331 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 3|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Malakal]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Upper Nile (state)|Upper Nile]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 114,528 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 4|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Yambio]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Western Equatoria]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 105,881 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 5|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Yei, South Sudan|Yei]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Central Equatoria]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 69,720 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 6|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Renk, South Sudan|Renk]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Upper Nile (state)|Upper Nile]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 69,079 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 7|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Aweil, South Sudan|Aweil]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Northern Bahr el Ghazal]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 59,217 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 8|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Maridi]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Western Equatoria]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 55,602 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 9|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Bentiu]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Unity State|Unity]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 41,328 |- | style="text-align:center;background:#f0f0f0;"| 10|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Bor, South Sudan|Bor]]|| style="text-align:left;"| [[Jonglei State|Jonglei]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 25,188 |- |} === Religion === {{Main|Religion in South Sudan}} [[File:Yirol Church.jpg|thumb|[[Catholic Church in South Sudan|Holy Cross Cathedral]] in [[Lakes State]].]] Religions followed by the [[South Sudanese]] include traditional [[indigenous religion]]s, [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]].<ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan's Muslims welcome secession|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=9 January 2011|access-date=16 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024203009/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Sudan profile|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082|newspaper=BBC News|date=8 July 2011|access-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708021732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14069082|archive-date=8 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The last [[census]] to mention the religion of southerners dates back to 1956 where a majority were classified as following traditional beliefs or were [[Christians|Christian]] while 18% were [[Muslim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|title=South Sudan's Muslims welcome secession|publisher=[[Agence France-Presse]]|access-date=15 August 2011|date=8 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024203009/http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169306|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Federal Research Division]] of the US [[Library of Congress]] states that "in the early 1990s possibly no more than 10% of southern Sudan's population was Christian".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html|title=Sudan: A Country Study; Ethnicity, Regionalism and Ethnicity|publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|access-date=10 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114012212/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html|archive-date=14 January 2011|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> In the early 1990s, official records of Sudan claimed that the population of what was then included as South Sudan, 25% of people followed traditional religions and 5% were Christians.<ref>{{cite book|title=Geographica. The Complete Illustrated Atlas of the world| year=1999|page= 336}}</ref> Scholarly<ref>{{cite book|first=Eric|last=Kaufmann|title=Rethinking ethnicity: majority groups and dominant minorities|publisher=Routledge|year= 2004|page=45|isbn=978-0-203-56339-7|author-link=Eric Kaufmann}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Minahan, J.|title=Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations: S-Z|publisher= Greenwood Press|year= 2002|page=1786|isbn=978-0-313-32384-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Arnold, G|title=Book Review: Douglas H. Johnson, The Root Causes of Sudan's Civil Wars| journal=African Journal of Political Science|volume=8|year=2003| page=147|issue=1}}</ref> and some [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] sources<ref name="US_State_Dept">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm|title=Sudan|publisher=State.gov|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802172914/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> stated that a majority of southern Sudanese maintained traditional indigenous ([[Animism|animist]]) beliefs at the start of the century, with those following Christianity in a minority. According to the ''[[World Christian Encyclopedia]]'', the [[Catholic Church]] is the largest single Christian body in Sudan since 1995, with 2.7 million Catholics mainly concentrated in South Sudan.<ref>{{cite book|title=World Christian Encyclopedia|editor-first1= David|editor-last1= Barrett|editor-first2= George|editor-last2= Kurian|editor-first3= Todd|editor-last3= Johnson|place=Oxford|publisher= Oxford University Press|year= 2001| pages= 699–700}}</ref> The [[Episcopal Church (United States)|US Episcopal Church]] claims the existence of large numbers of [[Anglican Communion|Anglican adherents]] from the [[Episcopal Church of South Sudan]] with 2 million members in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fwepiscopal.org/downloads/howmanyanglicans.pdf|title=How many Anglicans are there in the Anglican Church in North America?|access-date=2 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073614/http://www.fwepiscopal.org/downloads/howmanyanglicans.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Presbyterian Church in Sudan]] is the third largest denomination in South Sudan. It has about one million members in 500 congregations in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/member-churches/regions/africa/south-sudan/presbyterian-church-of-the-sudan.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520124842/http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/member-churches/regions/africa/south-sudan/presbyterian-church-of-the-sudan.html|archive-date=20 May 2012|title=Presbyterian Church of the Sudan|date=20 May 2012|access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> An 18 December 2012 report on religion and public life by the [[Pew Research Center]] states that in 2010, 60.5% of South Sudan's population was Christian, 32.9% were followers of traditional African religion and 6.2% were Muslim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php|title=Global Religious Landscape Table — Percent of Population — Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life|publisher=Features.pewforum.org|date=18 December 2012|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101080244/http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php|archive-date=1 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Some publishers described the conflicts prior to partition as a Muslim-Christian war, but others reject this notion, claiming Muslim and Christian sides sometimes overlapped.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pat|first1=Mr|title=Christians Under Siege|date=2009|page=105}}</ref> Speaking at [[St. Theresa Cathedral, Juba|St Theresa Cathedral]] in [[Juba]] in 2011, the new [[South Sudanese]] [[President of South Sudan|President]] [[Salva Kiir Mayardit|Kiir]], a Roman Catholic, said that South Sudan would be a nation that respects [[freedom of religion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sudanradio.org/south-sudan-respect-freedom-religion-says-goss-president|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712011904/http://www.sudanradio.org/south-sudan-respect-freedom-religion-says-goss-president|archive-date=12 July 2011|title=South Sudan To Respect Freedom of Religion Says GOSS President|work=Sudan Radio Service, Sudanradio.org|date=21 February 2011|access-date=9 July 2011}}</ref> At the creation of the new country, most Christians were [[Catholic]] or [[Anglican Church|Anglican]] and [[Animism|animist]] beliefs were often [[Religious syncretism|blended]] with [[Christian]] beliefs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html|title=Sudan : Country Studies — Federal Research Division, Library of Congress|publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov|date=22 March 2011|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023212053/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/sdtoc.html#sd0065|archive-date=23 October 2013|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> ====2020s==== In 2022 the majority of the population (60.5%) adhered to Christianity, while 33% followed indigenous religions and 6% followed Islam.<ref name=US2022>[https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/south-sudan US State Dept 2022 report]</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hurd|first=Emma|url=http://news.sky.com/story/835953/southern-sudan-votes-to-split-from-north|title=Southern Sudan Votes To Split From North|publisher=News.sky.com|date=8 February 2011|access-date=21 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031042419/http://news.sky.com/story/835953/southern-sudan-votes-to-split-from-north|archive-date=31 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Most Christians were Catholic; in 2020, Catholics made up 52% of the country's population.<ref>[https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/south-sudan Catholics and Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08]</ref> In 2022 the new Catholic bishop of [[Rumbek]], [[Christian Carlassare]], stated that "More than half the population of South Sudan is Christian, only 8% are Muslim. Other groups live on the margins, and have not drawn close to the Gospel. However, we live in a country where Christianity is often no more than skin deep, it hasn't grown roots in the life of the population".<ref>{{Cite web|last=ACN|date=2022-04-04|title=New bishop in South Sudan: "We must get back on our feet and give hope to the people"|url=https://acninternational.org/new-bishop-in-south-sudan-attacked/|access-date=2022-11-15|website=ACN International|language=en-US}}</ref> === Diaspora === {{Main|South Sudanese diaspora}} The South Sudanese diaspora consists of citizens of South Sudan residing abroad. The number of South Sudanese outside South Sudan has sharply increased since the beginning of the struggle for independence from [[Sudan]]. Almost one and a half million South Sudanese have left the country as refugees, either permanently or as temporary workforce, leading to the establishment of the South Sudanese diaspora population.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} The largest communities of the South Sudanese diaspora are located in North America, Western Europe and Oceania. They can be found in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia. Small communities exist in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, and New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sveriges flyktingkvot|url=https://www.migrationsverket.se/Om-Migrationsverket/Vart-uppdrag/Sveriges-flyktingkvot.html|access-date=2021-10-19|website=www.migrationsverket.se|language=sv}}</ref> Activist Achol Jok Mach has spoken out about growing up and growing up in a diaspora community and the effect on her identity, saying: "I was only ever told, "You are South Sudanese"... It was only much later that I learned I was [[Dinka people|Dinka]]."<ref>{{Cite book|last=Martell|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BAuXDwAAQBAJ&q=Achol+Jok+Mach&pg=PA199|title=First Raise a Flag: How South Sudan Won the Longest War But Lost the Peace|date=15 May 2019|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-005270-6|language=en}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page