South Sudanese celebrate their birth
Source: Agencies |
July 10, 2011, Sunday
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SOUTH Sudanese citizens, international dignitaries and the world's newest president convened in the new country capital of Juba yesterday to celebrate the birth of a nation.
South Sudan became the world's newest country yesterday with a raucous street party at midnight.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former US Secretary of State Colin Powell and dozens of other world leaders watched under a blazing sun as South Sudan President Salva Kiir hosted a noon-hour independence ceremony. "I pledge to you today that we will find a just peace for all," Kiir said at the ceremony.
"Wow, this is a great day for me because it's a day that reflects the suffering that all southerners have had for almost 50 years," said David Aleu, a 24-year-old medical student.
The black African tribes of South Sudan and the mainly Arab north battled two civil wars over more than five decades, and some 2 million died in the latest war, from 1983-2005. It culminated in a 2005 peace deal that led to yesterday's independence declaration. Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, the former leader of the south, also attended yesterday's ceremony.
Thousands of South Sudanese poured into the ceremonial arena when gates opened. Traditional dancers drummed in the streets as residents waved tiny flags. Activists from the western Sudan region of Darfur, which has suffered heavy violence the past decades, held up a sign that said "Bashir is wanted dead or alive." Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.
"We came to say welcome to our brothers from the south. We came also to remind the world that the problem in Darfur is continuing," said Nimir Mohammed.
South Sudan should become the 193rd country recognized by the United Nations next week and the 54th UN member state in Africa.
Though yesterday was a day of celebration, residents of South Sudan must soon face many challenges. Their country is oil-rich but is one of the poorest and least-developed.
South Sudan became the world's newest country yesterday with a raucous street party at midnight.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former US Secretary of State Colin Powell and dozens of other world leaders watched under a blazing sun as South Sudan President Salva Kiir hosted a noon-hour independence ceremony. "I pledge to you today that we will find a just peace for all," Kiir said at the ceremony.
"Wow, this is a great day for me because it's a day that reflects the suffering that all southerners have had for almost 50 years," said David Aleu, a 24-year-old medical student.
The black African tribes of South Sudan and the mainly Arab north battled two civil wars over more than five decades, and some 2 million died in the latest war, from 1983-2005. It culminated in a 2005 peace deal that led to yesterday's independence declaration. Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, the former leader of the south, also attended yesterday's ceremony.
Thousands of South Sudanese poured into the ceremonial arena when gates opened. Traditional dancers drummed in the streets as residents waved tiny flags. Activists from the western Sudan region of Darfur, which has suffered heavy violence the past decades, held up a sign that said "Bashir is wanted dead or alive." Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.
"We came to say welcome to our brothers from the south. We came also to remind the world that the problem in Darfur is continuing," said Nimir Mohammed.
South Sudan should become the 193rd country recognized by the United Nations next week and the 54th UN member state in Africa.
Though yesterday was a day of celebration, residents of South Sudan must soon face many challenges. Their country is oil-rich but is one of the poorest and least-developed.
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