Thousands of people have gathered at Dr John Garang Mausoleum in Juba to mark the fourth Independence anniversary of South Sudan.

Heads of state, including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and other diplomats are attending the occasion.

In most of the states, several people are celebrating the day. In Yambio, people marched along the streets to the main square in the town, where events marking the day are being held.

The country is trying to shake off the gloom of war that has ravaged the country since Dec 2014.

Members of the international community, including the United Nations and the US, have used the occasion to urge the warring parties to end the conflict.