Today South Sudan is three years as a nation.

The people of South Sudan have today celebrated the third anniversary of the independence since the nation was born three years ago.

In January 2011, the people of South Sudan voted overwhelmingly in an internationally monitored referendum, and opted for secession.

South Sudan became independent on Saturday the 9^th of July 2011.

In Juba the celebration took place at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum.

Other VIP guests who attended the occasion included the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Vice President of Sudan, HassabuMohamedAbdul-Rahman.

And the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Honorable Dr. Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini and the Speaker of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Other African countries were represented by their ambassadors to South Sudan.