<P> The region has been negatively affected by two civil wars since Sudanese independence: from 1955 to 1972, the Sudanese government fought the Anyanya rebel army (Anya - Nya is a term in the Madi language which means' snake venom') during the First Sudanese Civil War, followed by the Sudan People's Liberation Army / Movement (SPLA / M) in the Second Sudanese Civil War for over 20 years . As a result, the country suffered serious neglect, a lack of infrastructural development, and major destruction and displacement . More than 2.5 million people have been killed and millions more have become refugees both within and outside the country . </P> <P> Between 9 and 15 January 2011, a referendum was held to determine whether South Sudan should become an independent country and separate from Sudan. 98.83% of the population voted for independence . South Sudan formally became independent from Sudan on 9 July, although certain disputes still remained, including the division of oil revenues, as 75% of all the former Sudan's oil reserves are in South Sudan . The region of Abyei still remains disputed and a separate referendum will be held in Abyei on whether they want to join Sudan or South Sudan . The South Kordofan conflict broke out in June 2011 between the Army of Sudan and the SPLA over the Nuba Mountains . </P> <P> On 9 July 2011 South Sudan became the 54th independent country in Africa and since 14 July 2011, South Sudan is the 193rd member of the United Nations . On 27 July 2011 South Sudan became the 54th country to join the African Union . </P> <P> South Sudan was at war with at least seven armed groups in 9 of its 10 states, with tens of thousands displaced . The fighters accuse the government of plotting to stay in power indefinitely, not fairly representing and supporting all tribal groups while neglecting development in rural areas . Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) also operates in a wide area that includes South Sudan . </P>

As of 2015 south sudan is the world's youngest country. was it recognised in 2009