Museveni: In the world the voices of black people are not heard very much

In the world the voices of black people are not heard very much, otherwise the suffering of the black South Sudanese should have not gone on for so long.” This was the comment made by Ugandan leader Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, speaking in the South Sudanese capital, Juba, on July 9.

Museveni was one of the special guests and keynote speakers at the celebration. Other guests included representatives of the Ethiopian government, the United Nations and neighbouring Sudan, which was represented by Salah el-Din Mohammed al-Kheir Wanasse, of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry.
    
Thousands celebrate South Sudan’s first year of independence in the capital Juba, on July 9.
© The Niles | Akim Mugisa
Museveni noted that the demands made by the South Sudanese had always been clear and should not have taken longer than two days to understand, especially by those ruling in Khartoum.

These are black people who want to enjoy their culture, given to them by God,” Museveni said, to wild cheers and a musical interlude by the national band, which normally plays in praise of a speaker.

While he was not all praise – Museveni also said that black people needed to be stronger and less easy to divide – he also advised the South Sudanese to be careful in the deals they brokered. If you make a deal which is not based on justice, that deal will create more problems in the future,” he said.

The Juba celebrations included dances by cultural groups, military marches and a display of military equipment; two army helicopters hovered above the scene, carrying the national flag. Festivities went on through the night as the next day was a public holiday.

Wearing his trademark black cowboy hat, South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, stated that gaining the country’s freedom was not the end - his government was now committed to ensuring justice, liberty and prosperity.

South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, stated that his government was committed to ensuring justice, liberty and prosperity.
© The Niles | Akim MugisaKiir said that despite some enmity with Sudan and the current problems with oil, South Sudan was committed to peaceful conflict resolution. He also said that his government was not opposed to Sudanese living in South Sudan.
 
Meanwhile current African Union chief, Jean Ping, called for an amicable resolution to all the outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan.

In a statement read out by Hilde Johnson, the Special Representative and head of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, praised South Sudan for its resilience and commitment to peace.

The United Nations would continue to do its utmost, to help, the statement said.