Dancers performed, chorales sang, women ululated as hundreds turned out at the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba to mark the fourth anniversary of South Sudan's independence.
But the celebrations had a somber overtone, with parts of the world's newest nation still mired in conflict, and millions of people facing hunger and being forced from their homes.
President Salva Kiir vowed in a speech to end the war, while the international community pointed the finger of blame at Mr.Kiir and his arch-rival in the conflict, former vice president Riek Machar, for putting their ambitions before the well-being of the people, and prolonging the war, which is going into its 20th month.
But the celebrations had a somber overtone, with parts of the world's newest nation still mired in conflict, and millions of people facing hunger and being forced from their homes.
President Salva Kiir vowed in a speech to end the war, while the international community pointed the finger of blame at Mr.Kiir and his arch-rival in the conflict, former vice president Riek Machar, for putting their ambitions before the well-being of the people, and prolonging the war, which is going into its 20th month.
