VANESSA VICK PHOTOGRAPHY

Southern Sudan

Sudan's civil war began in 1983, initially pitting the Muslim north against the Christian and Animist south. During the 21 years of civil war at least 2 million people died and 4 million were displaced. In December of 2004 the Sudan People’s Liberation Army signed the final chapters of a peace deal clearing the way to ending Africa’s longest-running civil war.

Sudan People's Liberation Army soldiers stand next to a destroyed building.
   
In Kapoeta, worshipers attend Sunday morning prayer in a church scarred with bullet holes.
   
Both government forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army planted land mines causing South Sudan to have one of the highest densities of mines in the world.
     
  
A celebration is held for the arrival of German businessmen. Many foreign companies are looking into possible investments in South Sudan now that a peace deal has been signed.
   
A southern Sudanese walks past an abandoned tank.
   
The infrastructure of South Sudan has been completely destroyed during the 22 years of civil war, it will take years to remove the land mines and rebuild the region.
     
  
Nora Kiden was a refugee in Uganda for 5 years before returning to Yei.
   
A Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldier escorts an aid vehicle in Nimuli.
   
It is estimated that four to five million people have been displaced from south Sudan. It is not clear how many of them will return.
     
  
Since the peace deal was signed at the beginning of the year Sudanese are returning to the south to rebuild thier lives.
   
A resident of Yei shows his optimism for the comprehensive peace agreement.