Birth of a Nation: Millions celebrate
Jul 09, 2011
South Sudan has been declared an independent state, becoming the 54th state of Africa, 196th country in the world and the 193rd member of the United Nations.
By Frederick Womakuyu in Juba
SATURDAY
South Sudan has been declared an independent state, becoming the 54th state of Africa, 196th country in the world and the 193rd member of the United Nations.
More than 13 heads of state including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Field Marshal Omar el Hassan Bashir of Sudan and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya witnessed the birth of the new nation.
Other presidents present included Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea who is doubling as the current African Union chairperson.
Dignitaries included UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, UN general assembly president Joseph Dyers, British foreign affairs minister William Hague and US Ambassador to UN Suzana Rice.
Museveni cheered
President Yoweri Museveni was welcomed by ululations and jubilation from the people of South Sudan. Museveni is credited for helping the SPLA to reach this day and South Sudanese sang and praised him and his wife Janet Museveni as they walked to the presidential podium.
While many had doubted Omar el Bashir would endorse the new nation as an independent state, he surprised everyone by not only coming but also promised to work hand in hand with president Salva Kiir of South Sudan to make the new nation stable and peaceful.
At about 1.35pm, the Government of South Sudan legislative speaker James Wani Iga proclaimed the republic an independent and sovereign state.
“This is based on the South Sudan legislative assembly resolution No. 18/2011 of the second sitting of July 7, 2011 that passed the presentation of declaration of independence of South Sudan,†he said.
Iga said the Southern Sudan legislative assembly, recalling the long and heroic struggle of their people for justice, freedom and equality that had been denied to them by the successive Khartoum Governments, passed the declaration declaring South Sudan an independent republic on July 9, 2011.
Interim constitution in place
Wani also unveiled the interim new constitution of the Republic of South Sudan that will serve as the interim law until a permanent constitution is unveiled in four years. President Salva Kiir also promulgated the constitution, officially signing it into law and declaring it the supreme law of the land.
Salva was sworn in using the new constitution as the president of the Republic of South Sudan, promising to defend and protect the new nation and its constitution.
In his hat and long mustache, Kiir also unveiled a new monument of the great leader of South Sudan the late Dr. John De Mabior Garang to honour him for fighting to put South Sudan where it is.
“I pay a special tribute to Dr. John De Mabior Garang and other martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the search for a negotiated solution for long lasting peace. I salute the leadership and exceptional courage they had in the search for durable peace in South Sudan,†added president Salva Mayardiit Kiir.
Old flag lowered
The new flag of the republic of South Sudan was raised and the old flag of Sudan that was associated with oppression from the north was lowered amid excitement, tears of joy and waving of small flags.
The national anthem of the republic of Sudan was played for the last time by an estimated 200,000 South Sudan citizens that witnessed it and a new national anthem for the new nation was unveiled.
Vice President Dr. Riek Machar said the old flag wil not handed over to Bashir of Khartoum but will stay in the archives of the South to signify the cultural diversity and the name – Sudan - the two nations share.
It was chanting, jubilation and excitement in the Dr. John De Mabior Garang Mausoleum, where the celebrations were held. Everyone’s mood and spirit was high as smartly dressed citizens – some dressed in the red, black and green colours of the national flag marched in.
“From today, our identity is southern and African not Arabic and Islamic. We are not worst Arabs but better Africans,†read some of the banners that the excited citizens of the new republic carried.
21-gun salute
All security forces of the Republic of South Sudan including the police, internal security, led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), put up a spectacular well-choreographed performance, marching past their citizens. Dressed smartly, they sang and waved and saluted their citizens.
A 21-one gun salute filled the air as the SPLA welcomed the birth of the new nation born out of guns, war and blood but ironically brought to a conclusion through a peaceful settlement.
The stadium was packed to the capacity and there was no seat left to the extent that some heads of state failed to sit. Some ministers and important persons had to stand and vacate seats for presidents.
Kiir apologises
There was a bit of embarrasment when several diginitaries failed to secure seats at the high table.
President Kiir apologized for the mishap, saying South Sudan is a new nation that is learning everything including the preparations for such big occasions.
“It is our first time to prepare such a big occasion and we are learning from the mistakes we made today. I am sure if another ceremony happens in Juba, we shall serve everyone better,†Salva said.
President Salva promised to work for the socio-economic transformation of his people. He promised to build a democratic society, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and equality for all.
He also promised to get rid of corruption and fraud.
He also pledged to have a stable border with all their neighbours including the republic of Sudan and others. He promised to settle the issue of Abyei, Southern Khordafan and Bule Nile through peace.
Time to move on - Kiir
Kiir added that for 50 years, the people of Southern Sudan had experienced oppression that has finally come to an end on July 9, 2011. He cautioned his people against blaming anybody now for their woes.
“From today, onwards, we must stop blaming anyone else for our woes except ourselves. From today onwards, we must also stop tribalism and build a united South Sudan. We are South Sudanese first and out tribes later. I am not going to work with anybody who puts self-interest above a nation,†he said.
Today’s independence is the beginning of a final journey to end the fighting between the Muslim Arabs of the north and the mostly southern Christians and animists over ethnic-religious, cultural and socio-economic differences that separated them since Sudan became an independent state in 1956.
It is also the fulfillment of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and the South that put an end to almost two decades fighting that led to the death of over 2.5 million people in south.
CPA set the pasth
The CPA also called for a referendum that was held in January 9, 2011, where the citizens of the South Sudanby a majority of 98.83% overwhelmingly voted for the independence of the South from North.
Today July 9, 2011 concludes this process by declaring South Sudan, an independent Republic.
Beyond this, the new nation faces daunting challenges, including lack of infrastructure, lack of a well-qualified human resource, lack of a developed education system, a poor health system, among others.
President Salva Kiir is an optimistic man, saying with vast resources of oil and agriculture and wildlife, which he and his colleagues are planning to manage efficiently, for the new nation,they will develop.
****
FRIDAY
Midnight celebrations broke out in the capital Juba as millions of excited citizens welcomed the birth of their nation – the Republic of South Sudan at 12:00am.
Unofficial estimates from the ministry of information indicate that more than 3 million citizens of South Sudan welcomed the birth of the new nation in Juba town Friday night. This was before the main celebrations Saturday afternoon.
Unlike the usual ceremonial raising of a new flag and lowering of the of flag of their masters that is born with a new independent nation the night before, the republic of South Sudan did not witness this ceremony due to security concerns, said the minister of information for South Sudan Dr. Benjamin Marial Barnabas.
But despite this, the people were very happy and excited. The atmosphere was electric and spirits very high as South Sudan citizens thronged the streets of Juba. Although traffic police was present, they could not control them as the enthusiastic and energetic citizens took over the control of the streets.
Conveys of hundreds of vehicles of excited South Sudanese drove through the streets of Juba, praising the Sudan People’s Liberation Army for the great work done in ushering in independence.
Some were dressed in the green, black and red colours of the new flag of South Sudan and others were waving the same flag .
Women and children carrying brightly lit candles lined up the streets as they welcomed the birth of the Republic of South Sudan.
Ululations and hooting filled the air as people blamed the Sudan government for treating the people of the South as second class citizens.
Students of Juba University welcomed the birth by playing loud music at their campus.
It was almost impossible to differentiate the high government ministers, civil servants and other elites in their respective capacities from ordinary citizens as they all jammed the streets to welcome the Republic of South Sudan.
Boda boda riders from all walks of life rode through the streets . Some were dancing as their motocycles moved at break neck speed, with some carrying as many as 10 people on one bike.
Old men and women, girls and boys got hold of anything that could give out any sound to make as enough noise as possible as a sign of excitement to welcome their long walk to freedom.
“The Republic of South Sudan oyee!†shouted one fifty-year-old woman, dancing with her arms raised. “I am crazy and did not believe that such a day would come. Many of our people have died fighting for us.â€
The SPLA soldiers were no exception. Armed with big and small weapons, they jumped from their barracks and guarding stations into the streets to join fellow citizens to welcome independence.
Security was however tight in all the corners of Juba as the police, assisted by the army kept a keen eye on the safety of their citizens. “I can assure you that the SPLA has the capacity to deal with any security threat,†adds General Kaoul Ghai Deng, commander of the SPLA, based in Unity state Upper Nile.
President Salva Kiir welcomed the day in his presidential palace, accompanied by international and local dignitaries including the UN secretary general Ban Kimoon.
President Salva Kiir was unavailable for any press briefings as he only managed to wave to journalists after he appeared in public shortly before midnight.
SPLA secretary general Pagan Amum, welcomed independence by calling upon all the Republic of South Sudan and Sudan citizens to live in unity for the mutual development of both nations.
By 2.00am in the morning, the celebrations reached fever pitch as the vuvuzela sound replaced the ululations from women and hooting by vehicles.
The journey to independence has been long. Since 1955, the mostly Christian and moderate animists of the south have been fighting against the oppression by mostly the Arab Muslims in the north.
General Joseph Lagu, the leader of the first Anyanya war from 1955 to 1972 and the first president of Southern Sudan then between 1972 and 1983 told the New vVsion that they fought against "the forced islamization of the blacks by Arabs, deprivation of resources and apartheid practiced by Arabs."
“This is the day that me and thousands of hundreds of southerners fought for. Today concludes the journey we started and we hope that those who have taken over the leadership of this nation will give people a better life, better standard of living, better education, security, among others,†he adds.
SATURDAY
South Sudan has been declared an independent state, becoming the 54th state of Africa, 196th country in the world and the 193rd member of the United Nations.
More than 13 heads of state including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Field Marshal Omar el Hassan Bashir of Sudan and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya witnessed the birth of the new nation.
Other presidents present included Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea who is doubling as the current African Union chairperson.
Dignitaries included UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon, UN general assembly president Joseph Dyers, British foreign affairs minister William Hague and US Ambassador to UN Suzana Rice.
Museveni cheered
President Yoweri Museveni was welcomed by ululations and jubilation from the people of South Sudan. Museveni is credited for helping the SPLA to reach this day and South Sudanese sang and praised him and his wife Janet Museveni as they walked to the presidential podium.
While many had doubted Omar el Bashir would endorse the new nation as an independent state, he surprised everyone by not only coming but also promised to work hand in hand with president Salva Kiir of South Sudan to make the new nation stable and peaceful.
At about 1.35pm, the Government of South Sudan legislative speaker James Wani Iga proclaimed the republic an independent and sovereign state.
“This is based on the South Sudan legislative assembly resolution No. 18/2011 of the second sitting of July 7, 2011 that passed the presentation of declaration of independence of South Sudan,†he said.
Iga said the Southern Sudan legislative assembly, recalling the long and heroic struggle of their people for justice, freedom and equality that had been denied to them by the successive Khartoum Governments, passed the declaration declaring South Sudan an independent republic on July 9, 2011.
Interim constitution in place
Wani also unveiled the interim new constitution of the Republic of South Sudan that will serve as the interim law until a permanent constitution is unveiled in four years. President Salva Kiir also promulgated the constitution, officially signing it into law and declaring it the supreme law of the land.
Salva was sworn in using the new constitution as the president of the Republic of South Sudan, promising to defend and protect the new nation and its constitution.
In his hat and long mustache, Kiir also unveiled a new monument of the great leader of South Sudan the late Dr. John De Mabior Garang to honour him for fighting to put South Sudan where it is.
“I pay a special tribute to Dr. John De Mabior Garang and other martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the search for a negotiated solution for long lasting peace. I salute the leadership and exceptional courage they had in the search for durable peace in South Sudan,†added president Salva Mayardiit Kiir.
Old flag lowered
The new flag of the republic of South Sudan was raised and the old flag of Sudan that was associated with oppression from the north was lowered amid excitement, tears of joy and waving of small flags.
The national anthem of the republic of Sudan was played for the last time by an estimated 200,000 South Sudan citizens that witnessed it and a new national anthem for the new nation was unveiled.
Vice President Dr. Riek Machar said the old flag wil not handed over to Bashir of Khartoum but will stay in the archives of the South to signify the cultural diversity and the name – Sudan - the two nations share.
It was chanting, jubilation and excitement in the Dr. John De Mabior Garang Mausoleum, where the celebrations were held. Everyone’s mood and spirit was high as smartly dressed citizens – some dressed in the red, black and green colours of the national flag marched in.
“From today, our identity is southern and African not Arabic and Islamic. We are not worst Arabs but better Africans,†read some of the banners that the excited citizens of the new republic carried.
21-gun salute
All security forces of the Republic of South Sudan including the police, internal security, led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), put up a spectacular well-choreographed performance, marching past their citizens. Dressed smartly, they sang and waved and saluted their citizens.
A 21-one gun salute filled the air as the SPLA welcomed the birth of the new nation born out of guns, war and blood but ironically brought to a conclusion through a peaceful settlement.
The stadium was packed to the capacity and there was no seat left to the extent that some heads of state failed to sit. Some ministers and important persons had to stand and vacate seats for presidents.
Kiir apologises
There was a bit of embarrasment when several diginitaries failed to secure seats at the high table.
President Kiir apologized for the mishap, saying South Sudan is a new nation that is learning everything including the preparations for such big occasions.
“It is our first time to prepare such a big occasion and we are learning from the mistakes we made today. I am sure if another ceremony happens in Juba, we shall serve everyone better,†Salva said.
President Salva promised to work for the socio-economic transformation of his people. He promised to build a democratic society, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and equality for all.
He also promised to get rid of corruption and fraud.
He also pledged to have a stable border with all their neighbours including the republic of Sudan and others. He promised to settle the issue of Abyei, Southern Khordafan and Bule Nile through peace.
Time to move on - Kiir
Kiir added that for 50 years, the people of Southern Sudan had experienced oppression that has finally come to an end on July 9, 2011. He cautioned his people against blaming anybody now for their woes.
“From today, onwards, we must stop blaming anyone else for our woes except ourselves. From today onwards, we must also stop tribalism and build a united South Sudan. We are South Sudanese first and out tribes later. I am not going to work with anybody who puts self-interest above a nation,†he said.
Today’s independence is the beginning of a final journey to end the fighting between the Muslim Arabs of the north and the mostly southern Christians and animists over ethnic-religious, cultural and socio-economic differences that separated them since Sudan became an independent state in 1956.
It is also the fulfillment of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and the South that put an end to almost two decades fighting that led to the death of over 2.5 million people in south.
CPA set the pasth
The CPA also called for a referendum that was held in January 9, 2011, where the citizens of the South Sudanby a majority of 98.83% overwhelmingly voted for the independence of the South from North.
Today July 9, 2011 concludes this process by declaring South Sudan, an independent Republic.
Beyond this, the new nation faces daunting challenges, including lack of infrastructure, lack of a well-qualified human resource, lack of a developed education system, a poor health system, among others.
President Salva Kiir is an optimistic man, saying with vast resources of oil and agriculture and wildlife, which he and his colleagues are planning to manage efficiently, for the new nation,they will develop.
****
FRIDAY
Midnight celebrations broke out in the capital Juba as millions of excited citizens welcomed the birth of their nation – the Republic of South Sudan at 12:00am.
Unofficial estimates from the ministry of information indicate that more than 3 million citizens of South Sudan welcomed the birth of the new nation in Juba town Friday night. This was before the main celebrations Saturday afternoon.
Unlike the usual ceremonial raising of a new flag and lowering of the of flag of their masters that is born with a new independent nation the night before, the republic of South Sudan did not witness this ceremony due to security concerns, said the minister of information for South Sudan Dr. Benjamin Marial Barnabas.
But despite this, the people were very happy and excited. The atmosphere was electric and spirits very high as South Sudan citizens thronged the streets of Juba. Although traffic police was present, they could not control them as the enthusiastic and energetic citizens took over the control of the streets.
Conveys of hundreds of vehicles of excited South Sudanese drove through the streets of Juba, praising the Sudan People’s Liberation Army for the great work done in ushering in independence.
Some were dressed in the green, black and red colours of the new flag of South Sudan and others were waving the same flag .
Women and children carrying brightly lit candles lined up the streets as they welcomed the birth of the Republic of South Sudan.
Ululations and hooting filled the air as people blamed the Sudan government for treating the people of the South as second class citizens.
Students of Juba University welcomed the birth by playing loud music at their campus.
It was almost impossible to differentiate the high government ministers, civil servants and other elites in their respective capacities from ordinary citizens as they all jammed the streets to welcome the Republic of South Sudan.
Boda boda riders from all walks of life rode through the streets . Some were dancing as their motocycles moved at break neck speed, with some carrying as many as 10 people on one bike.
Old men and women, girls and boys got hold of anything that could give out any sound to make as enough noise as possible as a sign of excitement to welcome their long walk to freedom.
“The Republic of South Sudan oyee!†shouted one fifty-year-old woman, dancing with her arms raised. “I am crazy and did not believe that such a day would come. Many of our people have died fighting for us.â€
The SPLA soldiers were no exception. Armed with big and small weapons, they jumped from their barracks and guarding stations into the streets to join fellow citizens to welcome independence.
Security was however tight in all the corners of Juba as the police, assisted by the army kept a keen eye on the safety of their citizens. “I can assure you that the SPLA has the capacity to deal with any security threat,†adds General Kaoul Ghai Deng, commander of the SPLA, based in Unity state Upper Nile.
President Salva Kiir welcomed the day in his presidential palace, accompanied by international and local dignitaries including the UN secretary general Ban Kimoon.
President Salva Kiir was unavailable for any press briefings as he only managed to wave to journalists after he appeared in public shortly before midnight.
SPLA secretary general Pagan Amum, welcomed independence by calling upon all the Republic of South Sudan and Sudan citizens to live in unity for the mutual development of both nations.
By 2.00am in the morning, the celebrations reached fever pitch as the vuvuzela sound replaced the ululations from women and hooting by vehicles.
The journey to independence has been long. Since 1955, the mostly Christian and moderate animists of the south have been fighting against the oppression by mostly the Arab Muslims in the north.
General Joseph Lagu, the leader of the first Anyanya war from 1955 to 1972 and the first president of Southern Sudan then between 1972 and 1983 told the New vVsion that they fought against "the forced islamization of the blacks by Arabs, deprivation of resources and apartheid practiced by Arabs."
“This is the day that me and thousands of hundreds of southerners fought for. Today concludes the journey we started and we hope that those who have taken over the leadership of this nation will give people a better life, better standard of living, better education, security, among others,†he adds.