South Sudan marks its first annivesary amid despair
Posted by African Press International on July 8, 2012
- By Thomas Ochieng, API – Kenya
The United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMSS) has released a report that paints a grim outlook reflecting the past one year since the new Republic of South Sudan was proclaimed in 9th July 2011.Entitled ‘Incidents of Inter-communal Violence in Jonglei state’ it documents human rights violations and other in humane crimes that took place during the inter communal clashes between armed tribal militias of the Murle and Lou Nuer.
The report is among the many findings by the partners of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was the foundation of peaceful settlement
between the Sudan liberation army/movement SPLA/M and the National congress party NCP.The recent spate of attacks by both the Sudan and South Sudan states have heightened unnecessary tension and brought suffering mainly in the young nation of South Sudan.
The demarcation of boundaries was one of the contentious clauses in the CPA which to date hasn’t been properly addressed, matters have been made worse by the hardliners from both nations whom have placed roadblocks to the effort of the partners in the CPA agreement who include the United Nations,
the Africa Union, European Union and United States. The demands by South Sudan to include Heglig region as one of the disputed eras in addition to the Abyei of which both are oil rich, is disappointing to say the least.
On the same breadth the acts of aerial bombardment of civilian eras by the Sudan armed forces is very retrogressive and uncalled for. These actions from both sides have resulted in South Sudan closing its oil production and the Sudan cutting off its pipeline with the South.
Its right to say that the eventual casualties of these acts of provocation and brinkmanship is the common populace from the both states. Both states have now resorted to unnecessary austerity measures targeting the people.
The streets of Khartoum are packed with armed security personnel ready to pounce on its people whom can’t bear any more these selfish acts by the ruling élites. South Sudan will be marking one year since it became independent, looking down memory lane on the John Garang Mausoleum in Juba on the sunny afternoon, the radiant faces staring up as the flag of the Peoples Republic of South Sudan go up and the Sudanese flag come down, many wept, it was a sea of hope and a sense of a better tomorrow for the people of South Sudan whom have seen so much suffering, pain and tribulations for too long a time. Yet one year down the line the priority of the leadership of South Sudan state has taken a wrong turn.
Yes, demarcation of boundaries is and will remain a legitimate concern, but fighting hunger, building schools, hospitals,roads,fighting illiteracy,diseases and disarming armed militias who still cause inter ethnic clashes in the war ravished vast country.These are some of the deliverable s the government of South Sudan can deal with without much hustle from her neighbor,
Sudan.
The development of the young state of South Sudan lies on the direction and priorities its leadership will take, her partners will only help and offer support.
Ends.
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