Independence means a “new life” for South Sudan – W. Equatoria governor

July 9, 2011 (JUBA) – On the day of South Sudan’s independence the state Governor of Western Equatoria Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro said partition signified the end of genocide against southerners “and the beginning of new life free from fear and intimidation.”

Independence celebrations in Yambio started at Tomb of the King Gbudue at 6:00am. The late Zande King ruled Zandeland as an independent Kingdom until his death after being shot by British soldiers in 1905. Citizens and government officials converged at his grave to celebrate Africa’s newest nation and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the course of war.

A peace deal in 2005 ended decades of conflict and gave the South the right to secede in a referendum earlier this year.

It was followed by planting of trees by the state governor and speaker of the state legislative assembly.

Thousands of Western Equatorians and vistors from other ethnic groups from other states and foreigners attended the Gbudue stadium in Yambio County the state capital to witness the historic declaration of the southern Sudan region as a sovereign state after 21 years of struggle spearheaded by Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Addressing the rally the governor stated that it is the beginning of true nation building based on pluralistic government and above all the beginning of development of a new nation.

“This is a day in which we should burry all our differences in terms of ethnicity,” appealed Bakosoro.

He said the war against slavery had come to an end. There were some instances of South Sudanese being captured and taken in slavery during the war but the term slavery is widely used by southerners to describe the overall relationship between South Sudan and the North.

“We are no more slaves and we will never be slaves again. We are free citizens in our own country; the Republic of South Sudan.”

Bakosoro revealed his plans for the next four years of the interim period for the state.

“I would like to bring to your attention my plans for Western Equatoria for the next 4 years. My plans consist of provision of security in the state, focus on agriculture for development; continue construction and rehabilitation of roads in the state and the provision of effective and efficient telecommunication system,” he said.

The governor stressed that security is the “cornerstone for development and there can be no meaningful development in the absence of security.”

He noted that in Western Equatoria, security was paramount not only for citizens directly but also for investment, development and hummanitarian work to be carried out. The organised forces, he said, especially the police should be retrained to “uphold the task of keeping law and order in the state.”

Bakosoro stated that in the past six years, most people in the state had suffered at the hands of Ugandan rebels – the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). He also said that a few people believed themselves to be above the law and this had caused further insecurity in the state.

“We must begin to behave as a nation that is governed by law and order and I would also like to make it clear that law is supreme and everybody is under the law including ministers, advisers, MPs and governors,” decried Bakosoro.

The governor also focused on agriculture saying a country without food security is insecure.

“Western Equatoria is a land endowed with natural rainfall and rich soil and for this state to develop and be prosperous; food production must be our priority,” he said.

Bakosoro urged all citizens particularly the farmers in this state to devote more time to farming because agriculture will help to reduce hunger, improve livelihoods and increase the economic growth of this state.

“In order to encourage good agriculture production in the rural areas and to lessen scarcity of food items in the state, there must be good main and feeder roads that connect all the counties and payams within the state,” disclosed the governor.

He said, road rehabilitation and construction program will be one of his top priorities for the next 4 years and road toll will be introduced in the state to maintain the existing roads.

“Beside the above mentioned priorities, I want to address some key areas of interest for a speedy reasonable development in this state. Some of the areas that I have identified that can help our state to be strong and more independent are; revenue collection, education, health, and private sector,” he said.

He further added that most people in this state depend on white-collar jobs citing that there is no way every person in the state can be employed by the state government.

The governor remarked that the historic day marks the end of tyranny and the beginning of renaissance for South Sudanese and Western Equatorians in particular.

The independence proclamation in Yambio was attended by several dignitaries from the US, British, Uganda, neighbouring DR Congo and other nations.

The historic celebration was coloured with various cultural shows, Acrobats from Kenya, local artists, school children and amongst other activities.

The celebration in the state will continue for four days until July 11.

(ST)