Lakes state: Thousands sleep in Rumbek square on Friday awaiting independence celebrations

July 9, 2011 (JUBA) – Thousands of people sleep in Rumbek’s freedom square as well in Yirol West County on Friday waiting for South Sudan’s independence celebrations today.

Dancing, fireworks and other celebrations have been reported across Lakes state.

Student from Loreto Girls Secondary School in Rumbek said that independence would bring about healing from the pain of the 21 year civil war with the North.

Mary Nyanachok, a third year student, said that the celebration of independence on 9 July would bring her in communion with her dad who died during the struggle for freedom for South Sudan. She explained that although she will not see him physically, the celebration will mark a special spiritual union with her father.

The student urged South Sudanese who lost their loved ones during the war to feel united with them on independence day, adding that the celebration will wash away all the tears that the people of South Sudan have shed.

She expressed hope that an independent South Sudan will realise positive change in the lives of the people through education, health services and infrastructural development.

Mary also urged the government of South Sudan to prioritise education after the celebration of independence, arguing that education is the key to improved lives for South Sudanese.

She laid heavy emphasis on the education of girls, challenging members of her community who show greater value to cows than human life to change this attitude. Cows are used to be pay dowries in Dinka culture meaning that many girls are forced to marry in order to bring wealth into the family. Cattle raiding is rife in Lakes state because human life is much more important than cows.

Another student at Loreto School in Rumbek, Priscilla Ayen Dhieu, acknowledged the contribution of the South Sudan’s freedom fighters, explaining that the celebration of independence is the fruit of their struggle.

She described independence day as the day the people of South Sudan have been waiting for, likening it to the biblical prophecies.

The student urged all South Sudanese to get involved in building their new nation after independence, insisting that only hard work will bring development to South Sudan.

The celebration of independence this Saturday will be an emotional festivity given the painful past experiences of South Sudanese. Over four million were displaced and two million people died in Sudan’s second North-South civil war, which lasted from 1983 unti the 2005 peace agreement that allowed the South the right to secede.

(ST)