New Republic: S. Sudanese express their expectations
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July 10, 2011 (JUBA) — On 9 July, the Republic of South Sudan (RSS)
was officially declared Africa’s 54th nation, and is set to become the
193rd member of the UN at a colourful ceremony graced by 13 heads of
states, senior UN officials, and representatives from the US, UK, Arab
League and China, among others.
Hours before the historic event, security men patrolled the streets
and the outskirts of Juba, the capital of RSS, checking vehicles and
civilians headed for the functions. At the entrance designated for
journalists, sniffer dogs were deployed to check all equipments.
Citizens raised their flags and chanted, “Oyee”, congratulating the
new republic as Pagan Amum, the Secretary General of the ruling Sudan
Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM), compered.
Salva Kiir, the newly sworn-in president of RSS emphasised his zero
tolerance policy on corruption, effective service delivery and
institutional capacity building based on a broad-based and inclusive
government.
Sudan Tribune interviewed some citizens about their expectations of
the new government:
GUM THANY, 24 - Juba University student
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Gum Thany
The independence of the South Sudan, he said, came as a relief after
years of war, poverty and untold suffering during which millions of
South Sudanese lost their lives.
Leaders in the new republic, he urged, should focus on improving
education, health care and the infrastructures within the once
war-ravaged nation.
“Currently as you can see, our education system is still poor. The
same applies to the poor state of the health sector. These are the
challenges that our leaders in the new republic should tackle as a
priority,” said Thany.
MABIOR MAKER, 35
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Mabior Maker
According to Maker, the South Sudanese came from far and wide to
attend one of the greatest moments in the history of the region.
“All that is now a thing of the past,” he said, adding that, “It’s now
upon the new leaders of this new nation to steer us forward. We should
neither look east nor west, but let’s look forward”.
Dressed in an outfit with US and South Sudan colours, Maker appealed
to the government to tackle corruption among officials.
ELIJAH JACOB AJAK, 28 - War Disabled, Widows and Orphans Commission
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Elijah Jacob Ajak
The president of the new republic, Ajak told Sudan Tribune, should
first focus on recognising disabled war veterans and families of those
who lost their lives during the struggle that eventually led to the
independence of the country.
“I think it’s important for the government of the new republic to
first begin by recognising those who sacrificed their lives for this
nation. This should also include providing support to the wives and
children of those who lost their lives in during the struggle,” Ajak
said.
The new leadership, he added, should further work towards uniting the
various tribes within the country, and that any form of division based
on ethnicity or tribal sentiments could plunge this nation back to
war.
“Uniting the 57 tribes of South Sudan is essential in helping this
country move forward in terms of economic prosperity and development,”
said Ajak
CHOL WAN - ex-Coordinator 2011 Referendum Taskforce
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Chuol Wan
The new nation, according to Luot, should now embark on strengthening
their ties and relations with other countries, which he said are
instrumental in steering economic development.
He also called for a sustained effort by the South Sudanese leadership
to ensure that the new Republic of South Sudan’s is fully integrated
in the East African community.
“Since 2005, President Salva Kiir has been engaged in strengthening
South Sudan’s foreign policies with all its neighbours in order to
establish good relations with these various countries. Am optimistic
that this spirit will continue in the new country,” he said.
PETER ATEM, 35 - JEBU Referendum
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Peter Atem
“We are free at last after all these years of war and suffering. I am
very happy for my government and all the people of South Sudan and now
that we are free, the president will provide all the services that
South Sudanese require,” said Atem.
(ST)
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