Salva Kiir takes oath, grants amnesty to rebels
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July 9, 2011 (JUBA) - Salva Kiir was officially been sworn-in on
Saturday as the first president of the newly-created Republic of South
Sudan, moments after he signed the country’s controversial
transitional constitution, watched by tens of thousands of celebrating
Southern Sudanese.
JPEG - 15.7 kb
South Sudan President Salva Kiir lifts South Sudan’s new constitution
to the crowds of people attending an independence ceremony in Juba, on
Saturday July 9, 2011. (AP)
Clad in his trademark hat Kiir repeated his offer of an amnesty to the
six South Sudanese rebel groups destabilising the new nation. He urged
them to join hands in the struggle to move forward the new nation.
“I want to offer public amnesty to all those who took arms against the
people of South Sudan. Let them lay down these arms and help us in
building this new nation,” Kiir said.
After various last years elections various aggrieved groups took up
arms against the Juba government. This year a senior member of the
southern army defected sighting tribalism and corruption.
Kiir downplayed the possibility that internal conflicts would tear
apart the new nation, describing it was a wish for “detractors of
peace, security and political stability”.
During his address, president Kiir appealed to citizens of the new
republic to focus on unity based on cultural and ethnic diversity,
which he said was a source of pride for South Sudan.
“You may be a Zande, Kakwa, Lutugo, Nuer, Dinka or Shiluk, but first
remember yourself as a South Sudanese. There will be equal access to
existing opportunities for all,” said the leader of the new Republic.
South Sudan’s president reiterated that his government would remain
committed in the fight against corruption and all forms of graft.
"Transparency and accountability," he said, shall form the basic
foundation of the new leadership.
According to Kiir, effective service delivery in the public interest
will be an obligation to all civil servants and that those who are
hesitant to comply will cease to be part of the new government.
“In order to move this country forward, sacrifices have to be made in
public service. Those who are not ready to make this kind of sacrifice
will not be part of the new government,” the president said, amidst
cheers.
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A SPLA Soldier raises the South Sudan flag at the independence
ceremony of South Sudan in Juba, South Sudan, on Saturday July 9,
2011. (AP)
The new republic, he emphasised, will closely work with development
partners and the international community in efforts to steer the
country’s progress. South Sudan he added, will abide by the
international covenants as it prepares to be part of their membership.
The president further pledged to play an instrumental role in
resolving the outstanding issues of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA), citing the Abyei referendum as well as popular
consultations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
He further called for a just and lasting solution to the conflicts in
Sudan’s troubled western region of Darfur, oil-producing region of
Abyei and southern Kordofan.
"I want to assure the people of Abyei, Darfur, Blue Nile and South
Kordofan that we have not forgotten you. When you cry, we cry. When
you bleed, we bleed. I pledge to you today that we will find a just
peace for all," he said.
In his speech, Kiir paid tribute to fallen heroes and heroines of the
new nation, saying their tireless efforts, which eventually led to the
independence, were not in vain. Reciting a proverb, Kirr said, “The
night may be too long, but the day will surely come”.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
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A large crowd of South Sudanese look up at a giant South Sudan flag
being hoisted during a ceremony in the capital Juba on July 09, 2011
(Getty)
Moments before the president’s speech, James Wani Igga, the speaker of
South Sudan’s Parliament had officially declared the independence of
the south, according to a resolution reportedly made by the South
Sudan’s Legislative Assembly on July, 07, 2011.
The occasion, which was immediately followed by the signing of the
transitional constitution by the president, later climaxed with the
raising of the country’s flag as the old one was lowered.
LOW POINTS
Part of the pavilion meant for the guest remained incomplete and at
one moment, Pagan Amum, the Secretary General of the south’s ruling
party had to request legislators and South Sudanese citizens to vacate
their seats in order to accommodate guests.
Also, shortly before Sudan president, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir took to
the podium, the public address system went off air, raising
speculation of foul play by some southern officials.
(ST)
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