South Sudan Celebrates Its Independence Day

On 9 July 2011, South Sudan became the world's 193rd independent nation. After decades of civil war and a six-year peace process initiated by Dr. John Garang, this past Saturday the South Sudanese finally had the chance to celebrate a seemingly never-ending fight. The looks on everyone's faces in these photos are priceless.

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• 4. South Sudan's first president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, is sworn in

  

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• 5. Military officials celebrating

  

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• 6. After the unveiling of a statue of Dr. John Garang, the "father of south Sudan"

  

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• 13. Massive crowds outside Juba, the new capital

  

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• 15. What South Sudan's currency will look like

  

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