![Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he departs, Monday, May 24, 2021, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Blinken is en route to the Middle East. [Photo by AP via Al Arabiya]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/a64d63d4-5cc2-466d-a362-d8d2bee19de0_16x9_1200x676.jpg)
The statement comes hours before President Salva Kiir Mayardit address the nation to mark the country’s 10th independence. The United States helped South Sudanese during their war with the north to realize what was then a dream.
“On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of South Sudan on ten years of independence,” Blinken said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on South Sudan’s Independence Day.
“The United States is proud to support the people of South Sudan, and we are committed to working with the transitional government, a free civil society, and regional and international partners to build lasting peace, stability, and greater prosperity in South Sudan,” he said.
![South Sudan economist and Vice-Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University, Abraham Matoc, speaking to Sudans Post during an exclusive interview in Juba on Wednesday, February 10, 2020 [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_2526-2-120x86.jpg)
![South Sudan First Vice President, Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM, SPLA-IO, Dr. Riek Machar Teny greeting his generals in Pagak in 2015 [Photo via Facebook]](https://i1.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/fvp_riek_machar_arrives_in_his_general_headquarters_pagak._he_was_received_by_spla-io_s_cheif_of_general_staff_1st_lt._gen._simon_gatwech_dual_12_april_2016_-a280a.jpg)
