South Sudan independence speech by Northern Bahr el Ghazal governor
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Speech Delivered by H.E. Lt. Gen. Paul Malong Awan Governor of
Northern Bahr El- Ghazal State on the Independence Day Celebration of
the Republic of South Sudan, July 9th 2011
Right Honorable Speaker of NBGS Legislative Assembly Hon. President of
High Court NBGS/Aweil Your Excellencies Advisors and Ministers Hon.
Members of the State Legislative Assembly Hon. SPLM State Secretary
NBGS/Aweil Hon. Representatives of other Political parties NBGS/Aweil
UN agencies & NGOs NBGS/Aweil Heads of the State security organs
Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen
Before I begin my speech, on this historic day and occasion, let us
all stand-up and observe a minute of silence to remember and honor our
heroes and heroines who laid down their precious lives in the course
of liberation struggle. Thank you
Fellow Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The mission for which our people took up arms against successive and
oppressive regimes in Khartoum in 1955, 1982, 1983 and for whom
millions of our brave men and women willingly and courageously gave up
their dear lives is accomplished, we have achieved our independence.
But first let us thank and adore Almighty God for his unfailing
blessings and guidance throughout the long years of struggle.
On behalf of the government and people of Northern Bahr El Ghazal
State, let me salute and thank our martyrs for their heroic
sacrifices. Nothing is precious than life, but millions of our
brothers and sisters have given up their lives so that we celebrate
this independence. They will forever be remembered.
Let me also salute and thank our courageous war disables who have
willingly and bravely accepted to shed their precious blood in defense
of the land and integrity our people. As we celebrate today, we have
with us many brothers and sisters who gave up parts of their bodies
for the sake of our people and the land. No words of mouth would thank
them enough for their sacrifices.
Let me equally express similar gratitude to our civil society who
stood solidly with us during the long armed struggle. It was our civil
society that provided food for our gallant forces, it was civil
society that took care of our children, it was the same civil society
that borne the brunt of long and brutal war. This day would not have
been possible without able contribution of our women, chiefs, spear
masters, youth and churches. I would like to give special thanks to
our mothers and fathers who willingly offer their sons and daughters
to partake in liberation struggle. Many mothers are not celebrating
with their sons or daughters today, their children have fallen in the
cause of struggle. We cannot thank them enough.
Above all, let me salute and thank our gallant forces, the SPLA, who
fought long and hard since 1983 and who forced the (NIF) National
Islamic Front currently (NCP) National Congress Party to the
negotiating table. As we celebrate this Independence Day, our forces
are in trenches in MajokYienthou, Warguet, Kiir Adam and across South
Sudan ready and willing to lay down their lives for the cause of our
people and the land. This Independence Day would not have been
possible without the readiness of the SPLA. Without the presence of
the SPLA, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), would have been
abrogated like Adidas Ababa peace agreement of 1972. I am deeply
honoured to thank them on this historic day and occasion.
Dear compatriots, ladies and gentlemen
The struggle of our people did not begin in 1955 but way back in 19
century when our great-grandfathers fought against slave masters and
conquerors. They succeeded in resisting and defending our land by
using spears and shields. However, the quest to conquer and to control
the South by the North continued on.
In 1955, our people felt enough was enough and staged an armed
struggle against oppressive regimes in Khartoum. They were poorly
armed but they never gave up until they forced Khartoum regime to sign
Adidis Ababa agreement in 1972. The Adidis Ababa peace agreement was
not implemented as per text. This became clear to many of our people
and so many went to bush forming Any-Anya II. The Any-Nya II offensive
against regime intensified in 1982.
In 1983,the then President of the republic of Sudan, Jafaar Nimeri
abrogated Adidis Ababa peace agreement saying that it was “neither
Holy Bible nor Qur’an” and imposed Sharia law on the whole of Sudan.
This sparked mass anger among our people. That anger was responded by
members of 105 battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Karbino Kuanyin
Bol and 104 battalion under command of Lt. Col. Wiliam Nyuon Bany.
Karbino’s forces rebelled and shot the first bullet in Bor Town on May
16th, 1983 and were quickly joined by Nyuon forces in Ayod and the
armed revolution began in earnest.
Our people responded in massive numbers trekking for months to
Ethiopia where they would receive military training and equipments.
Many of them died on the way either in the hands of militia forces,
wild animals, hunger, thirst and diseases. Their sacrifices have not
been in vain.
This Independence Day did not come cheap; we have paid for it so
dearly. In 17 years of Any-nya I war, we lost one and half million
people while in 21 years of SPLM/A struggle; we lost more than two and
half million people. Majority of these fallen heroes and heroines are
citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. No single family in this
State has not lost a son or daughter during the struggle.
Had it not been for the determination of our people, peace would not
have been realized. We faced many challenges throughout 21 years of
conflict; our struggle was characterized by splits and internal
fighting. In 1990s when many splits occurred and when many people
deserted the movement as the war had reached bloody and destructive
phase, people of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State remained unshaken and
kept the fire of struggle burning. They fought at every corner of the
South Sudan and beyond. Nowhere in Southern Sudan, Blue Nile, Nuba
Mountains, or Igassena Hills were battles were fought that one will
not find a bone of our son but they died for a just cause.
Compatriots, ladies and gentlemen
When war became too expensive both in terms of lives lost and
resources used, Khartoum finally accepted a negotiated settlement to
the conflict. We ended the long war with the signature of 2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). At this juncture, I must
congratulate the people of South Sudan in general and people of
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State in particular for their patient during
the difficult years of CPA implementation. Without the patient and
courage of our people, National Congress Party would have dragged the
nation back to war but our people were mature and wise enough to know
where their interest lie – it lies in peace. The patient of our people
has now paid off. We have attained our independence through ballots
during the referendum in which our people unanimously voted for
separation of Southern Sudan from the North by a result margin of 99%,
the highest separation vote in the world. Referendum was a pivotal
moment that will not be forgotten by Southern Sudanese and those who
stood with us.
While we have attained our independence, many challenges lie ahead of
us. Among them, border demarcation, Abyei protocol, national debt,
distribution of resources, among others. The SPLM led government of
the Republic of South Sudan, under able leadership of 1st Lt. Gen.
Salva Kiir Mayardit will find a peaceful solution to these outstanding
challenges.
Fellow citizens, ladies and gentlemen,
I am aware that expectations of our people are high. However, let me
remind all of you that the task of building a new nation State from
scratch is going to be difficult and challenging. This task will
require participation and input of every citizen for without your
active participation in our nation building, we may all fail.
I completely understand that our people need services but I must
assure you that your SPLM led government will deliver services to you.
During the difficult years of interim arrangement, your government
managed to bring some services to you. For the first time in the
history this State, we have new government structures, roads
connecting Counties, public electricity, to mention but a few. As SPLM
pledge to bring town to people, we will ensure that social services
are delivered to people in their own villages. Your government will
ensure that every Payam, Boma and village in this State shall be
connected by roads and that each one of them has clean water, schools
and hospitals. We will ensure that quality of education in this State
is promoted so that those who send their children to East Africa will
not have any reason to continue doing so. I must add that these social
amenities will not be delivered in one day, it will be a gradual
process but ultimately, they will be delivered.
While we promised to deliver social services, we encourage our people
to actively contribute towards our nation building by being self
reliance. As an independence State, we must all work hard to bring
about the change we fought for. Let me remind of all of you that we
must go back to our farms for cultivation; we are blessed with fertile
soil that can produce any kind of crop. Let us also learn to practice
business; we have been relying on Northern traders since the dawn of
time. You now have full responsibility to control of your own market
by actively engaging in marketing activities. A lot of investors will
come from all over the world to do business here. This is good for our
people because these companies will create job opportunities for our
youth but unless our businessmen and women work extra hard, they will
be pushed out of the market. I am encouraging you, particularly
chamber of commerce to play special role in encouraging and promoting
business activities. I am confident that you will do it.
Finally, I call on the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to put
behind all their differences and open a new chapter for a new nation.
Let us forgive each other and unite for the sake of our country-the
Republic of South Sudan. I appeal to all political forces in Northern
Bahr el Ghazal State to work hand in hand with the SPLM in order to
construct our State. Regardless of your political affiliations or
religious beliefs, together we are sons and daughters of this great
State and the nation.
SPLM Oyee! SPLA Oyee! Long live the Republic of South Sudan Long live
the great struggle of our people Long live Independence Day Go ahead
the makers of freedom May God bless our State and the Republic of
South Sudan!
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