Kenyan communities in Unity State celebrate the independence of South Sudan
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By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
July 11, 2011 (BENTIU) – The head of the Kenyan community in Unity
state passed on the congratulations of the Kenyans to the South
Sudanese on the independence of their nation on Saturday.
Athiany David Naaman, the Kenyan representative. said that July 9 "was
a great day for the people of South Sudan as it marks the first day of
independence after a bitter and the longest civil war in Africa. It is
the day all the marginalised South Sudanese have been longing for.
Kenyans communities are happy very much especially those working in
private sectors to witness the birthday of independent of South Sudan
in Unity State on Saturday.
He added that many of them are aware that all these years of conflict,
brought with it many forms of suffering of many innocent people who
were victims of the civil war with North Sudan.
He said the Kenyans are proud of the fact that this journey towards
peace started in Kenya Naivasha - where peace talks were held - and
became a reality in Nairobi on the 9 January, 2005 when the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed. A stipulation of the
CPA was the right of the South Sudanese to vote in a plebiscite in
January 2011. They voted in favour of secession, which was realised on
Saturday.
Naaman drew parallels with the Mau Mau movement which successfully
fought for Kenya’s independence from the UK in 1963.
He said the Kenyans, like the South Sudanese, had refused to become
“victims” during long periods of conflict. He spoke of the forgiveness
the Kenyan people have offered their ex-colonial masters forgiveness
and are now “good friends” with the British. He expressed his hope
that the South Sudanese could work towards a peaceful coexistence with
North Sudan.
“Our founding fathers taught us the importance of hard work within the
context of unity in diversity and we are prepared to share this with
you,” said Naaman, citing “Our Founding Father of the Kenyan Nation,
the Late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta”, the “Nyayo philosophy of peace, love and
unity” and “our retired President Daniel Arap Moi, the ingenious
architect of CPA” as examples of harambee (pulling together) which
should serve as models for South Sudan.
Naaman said the Kenyans in Unity state would “appeal and pray for
peace, love and unity for the people of South Sudan.”
There are is a large Kenyan workforce in developmental sectors,
education and health care as well as private investment in service
industries in South Sudan.
(ST)
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