South Sudan

One of the world's newest countries, the eastern African nation of South Sudan officially declared its independence on July 9, 2011. After decades of civil war between the government of Sudan and the rebel forces in the south, a United Nations – brokered agreement called for a resolution of the issue through a referendum that was held in the region in January 2011. More than 99% of the population in South Sudan voted for independence.

One of the main issues in the South Sudanese independence movement was religion. The northern part of Sudan is dominantly Muslim; South Sudan is a mixture of Christianity and traditional African religion. South Sudan is primarily a rural, tribal society that practices the customs and beliefs of its traditions, which are largely animistic. The largest tribal group is the Dinka, followed by the Shiilok and the Nuer.

The region came under British colonial influence in 1842, and Christian missionaries soon followed. British Anglicans and Roman Catholic missionaries have had a considerable influence on South Sudan's society. Though some observers regard the country as primarily Christian, others regard only 10% of the population as being strict followers of church teachings. Most citizens of South Sudan practice a mixture of traditional animistic African religion and Christianity. The first president of the new nation, Salva Kiir Mayardit, is a Catholic.