Juba — The US government has congratulated South Sudan on the occasion marking its first anniversary since in attained independence from Sudan, saying despite challenges, the new nation worked hard over the past year to build governing structures and a legal framework.

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in a statement issued on 9 July said the US is committed to building even "stronger" partnership with South Sudan in the New Year, given the solid ties between the people of these two nations, which date back to decades.

"South Sudan has been hard at work over the past year building governing structures and a foundational legal framework," said Clinton.

"Your commitment to fulfilling the promise to the people of South Sudan to provide security, accountability and systemic respect for human rights is admirable," she added.

The US Secretary of State, however, expressed concerns that, despite its notable progress, South Sudan still face "significant" challenges, which threatens stability and prosperity.

Clinton, in the statement, particularly cites South Sudan's conflict and unresolved issues with neighboring Sudan as well as domestic inter-ethnic tensions that have led to increased fighting and economic hardship, which she says threatens to compromise the very foundation for building the new nation in future.

"There are many challenges, but the South Sudanese people have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to overcome great odds," Clinton notes, adding that the US government is optimistic that South Sudan can still emerge from the "shadows of conflict and turmoil."

South Sudan officially attained independence on 9 July 2011 after its people overwhelmingly chose separation in the country's self-determination referendum. The vote was a key part of the 2005 peace deal, which ended over two decades of a bloody civil war with North Sudan.