Today marks the 11th Independence Anniversary Day for our country. Happy Independence Day to us all. We’re 11- years -old now. Shalom!
Split Two
On this very day, 9 July 2011, 11 years ago the world witnessed the making of the World’s Newest State, the Republic of South Sudan. Sudan was split into two, Sudan and South Sudan ending Africa’s longest war. South Sudan declared its independence.
This day is historic. It’s a day to reflect on our collective dark pasts and also remember lives lost on the way to this very day. If you were in Juba on 9 July 2011, you know the euphoric birth of the World’s Newest Nation. You know how joyous South Sudanese of all walks of life celebrated this day. We were Free at Last. Today, that has dwindled so badly.
Missteps and Missed Opportunities
11 years later, we mark this day as bitter citizens, the recent world’s happy index ranked us number 1 unhappy people on earth. Why? It’s because of missteps and missed opportunities.
After just two years of independence, we returned the country back to war and not with Sudan or with one of our neighboring countries, but with ourselves.
11 years on our leaders aren’t proud to mark the day. Why? Because we’ve nothing to show for the 11 years of self-rule. No visible development. The only visible things are destructive trails of war and the immense pain and suffering we inflicted on ourselves. We’re yet to transition into a democratic country where citizens choose their leaders in an election.
Two Wars
2013 and 2016 wars have dashed the hopes for the good life of 12 million South Sudanese. The party that liberated the country broke into the SPLM-IG, the SPLM-IO, and pockets of smaller political parties. Of which many are briefcase parties.
Poor citizens find themselves trapped. 11 years on, we’re still talking about implementing the R-ARCSS among ourselves, instead of developing the country.
With 11 years of independence, we’re asking for humanitarian aid for starving South Sudanese. 11 years later, we’ve no electricity, no safe drinking water, and foreign water tanks enrich themselves by selling our water to us. Because we can’t help ourselves.
11 years on, we’ve no road networks across the nation. 11 years on we’ve no hospitals and proper universities. 11 years on, we’ve thousands of our citizens living in UN-protected camps and many of us are still seeking refuge in foreign lands.
That’s the story of my country. That’s the true story of independent South Sudan, 11 years on.
Now, there’re two heated debates ongoing, dredging of rivers and elections conduct.
Should we’ve them or not? That’s a contentious issue now. Nobody knows how it will end.
Should we lose hope? No, we shouldn’t lose hope. We must pay tribute to those whose shoulders we are standing on today. Honoring their wishes by working toward a united South Sudan. This task is for every South Sudanese; it shouldn’t be left to leaders only. It’s a collective responsibility of all South Sudanese.
Aware of the tragic journey to this day, we must honor the wishes of our people. Lives Lost during the struggle including losing our leader Dr. John Garang De Mabior, children, the elderly, women, and comrades should inspire us to work toward a united South Sudan.
That’s why you don’t need money to mark or commemorate this day.
Not at all, lighting a candle as I have done in my house this morning is sufficient; saying a prayer and taking a minute of silence is sufficient. Sharing with needy people may look simple but impactful.
Happy 11th Independence Anniversary
