Over 80 percent of countries in Africa to attend South Sudan’s independence celebration
May 10, 2011 (JUBA) – Over 80 percent of the 53 countries in Africa have accepted invitations by South Sudan’s leadership to participate in the formal declaration of the region’s independence on 9 July.
The plebiscite was a key part of a 2005 peace deal which ended 21 years of civil war between North and South Sudan. Sudan’s president Omer Hassan Al Bashir recognized the outcome of the referendum, saying it was the will of the people of South Sudan. He expressed his willingness to participate in the formal declaration of the region’s independence on 9 July.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has dispatched a number of ministers and other government officials to various countries in Africa to hand-deliver the invitations to heads of state and other dignitaries throughout the continent and beyond. Kiir will relinquish his position in the Khartoum government as First Vice President of Sudan on July 9.
In a meeting of the High Level Committee responsible for organizing the independence celebrations – chaired by the Vice President Riek Machar – on Monday it was revealed that over eighty percent of African countries have already accepted invitations to participate in the event.
The undersecretary in the ministry of regional cooperation, which shall be upgraded to South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs after 9 July, Ambassador Majok Guandong, further explained that the few African countries whose attendance is not yet conformed will also receive invitations.
Invitations will also be delivered to countries in Asia, America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
Machar has said that South Sudan was expecting more than 1,500 foreign dignitaries including heads of state or their representatives and support staff.
The region has less than two months until the declaration of independence. In the Monday’s meeting of the High Level Committee, the Vice President urged all the sub-committees to exert extra efforts in carrying out their activities to meet the deadline of July 9.
There are eleven different sub-committees each headed by a minister with specific task. These include sub-committees on security, ceremonies and parade, culture and entertainment, invitations, reception and catering, accommodation, transport and health.
(ST)