Ecstasy in Juba as South Sudan is born

By Peter Opiyo

A sea of humanity waving miniature flags erupted into delirium to celebrate the birth of a nation, after 21-years of civil war that threatened to throw into uncertainty the future of this oil-rich region.

In an ordinate defiance to Mother Nature, South Sudanese braved the scorching heat and danced, clapped, shouted and beat away drums to mark their secession from the North.

International VIPs and South Sudanese attend the independence celebrations in Juba, on Saturday. The Republic of South Sudan became the 193rd member of the United Nations and has pledged to keep peace with the North after decades of war. Photo: Collins Kweyu/Standard

Women clad in South Sudan’s flag wept by the giant statue of liberation hero John Garang De Mabior, some holding bibles and small crosses, invoking God’s name for the blessings of a new baby.

A medley of tunes from all sorts of instruments reflected a poignant frenzy that reached its climax as the country’s flag was hoisted on a 32-metre pole and a three-stanza new anthem sung to signify the birth of the Republic of South Sudan.

Sovereign state

The crowds estimated to be more than 500,000 had trooped to the De Mabior Mausoleum grounds four hours ahead of the ceremony to witness the birth of the world’s newest nation and reflect on the effects the civil war pitting the South against the North; a war triggered by the struggle over control and sharing of resources.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and African leaders like President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President Meles Zenawi , Yoweri Museveni and Jakaya Kiwete were in attendance under a blazing sun as South Sudan President Salva Kiir hosted the noon-hour ceremony.

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, a deeply unpopular man in Juba, arrived to a mixture of boos and surprised murmurs.

An arrest warrant has been issued against Bashir by the International Criminal Court over the genocide in Darfur that is said to have claimed about 300,000 lives.

"We thank you Lord, we are happy, halleluyah. Our brothers died in the bush, but today they won’t die," said a woman overwhelmed with tears of joy.

Kiir arrived at the John Garang Mausoleum to a rapturous welcome and proceeded to pay respect to the man who died six months into the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the civil war and culminated into Saturday’s birth of South Sudan.

He also unveiled the Garang’s statue that stands just a couple of metres behind the Independence flag.

South Sudanese had partied all night, shouting and riding on the back of pick-up cars before

A Sudanese man kisses the Bible in front of a picture of John Garang. Photos: Xinhua And Collins Kweyu/Standard

breaking security cordons in the morning to pour into the site of Independence declaration shouting "South Sudan is free, South Sudan Oyee!"

"I am very happy because we have been waiting for this since 1955. Thanks to our leaders for making us reach this far," said Lual Kuan. "I expect our leaders to deal with corruption and ensure a free press. We don’t want our leaders to fight again." Nekson Maoro, clutching a poster of Garang: "I am very happy today, it is beautiful."

The memories of oppression by the North were also displayed as groups carried banners bearing the messages: "The will of nations would never be oppressed".

The south’s independence follows decades of conflict with the north in which some 1.5 million people die. It becomes the 55th African state and the world’s 193rd states recognised by the UN.

The Transitional Constitution that buttressed the new nation into law, protecting it from legal challenges was proclaimed by Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga who declared South Sudan a sovereign state.

President Kiir then proceeded to sign the new charter after Igad had read the proclamation statement, before being sworn-in as the President of the Republic of South Sudan.

The new Charter will be reviewed, if need arises, by the National Constitutional Review Commission in a process that involves consultation and gathering of views from the communities across the country.

Currency

The birth of the nation also comes with a new currency, a national anthem and the coat of arms. Currently the South is using the Sudan Pound, a currency printed in Khartoum and also used in the North. The South Sudan’s government has however, stopped any supply of the pound from Central Bank of Sudan, located in Khartoum as it negotiates how the Khartoum government can mop up the pound.

Public Information Minister Benjamin Marial said they are in consultations with Central Bank of Sudan to take back the pound and give back the dollars that were used to purchase them, saying it would be a liability to continue allowing the Sudan Pound into the South.

"There is no more Sudan Pound coming from Khartoum because it would be a liability," said Marial.

Already the new currency — the South Sudan Pound — is in place and would be unveiled in a few months, after consultations with Khartoum.