South Sudan starts planning for life beyond war, cautiously

Six months ago planning ahead in civil war-torn South Sudan seemed impossible but now, after warring sides signed a new peace deal in September that the government vows will hold, some are starting to rebuild their lives. (AP)

• Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the civil war that has killed nearly 400,000 people
• After a peace deal in September that the government vows will hold, some are rebuilding their lives

BENTIU, South Sudan: Just months ago, planning ahead in civil war-torn South Sudan seemed impossible. Now, after a peace deal in September that the government vows will hold, some are rebuilding their lives.
Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the civil war that has killed nearly 400,000 people.
Armed opposition leader Riek Machar is sounding a note of hope: “This year I can announce to the people of South Sudan that peace is not just on the horizon, but it is here.”
Amid the small signs: A Christmas party in a United Nations camp for tens of thousands of displaced people will occur at midnight instead of during safer daylight hours.
But fears, and fighting, remain. “The peace is here but the peace is still not well,” a child says.