Unity State celebrates peaceful independence day

At a stadium filled with citizens of Unity State, Governor Taban Deng Gai pledged a new era without pain, oppression, death and corruption,” saying we need to joint hands for the development of this new Republic of South Sudan in harmony and prosperity.”

The celebration marked a turning point in the lives of thousands of South Sudanese.The flag of Sudan was lowered and replaced with the new flag of the Republic of South Sudan, as it was in Juba and across the new nation.

Samuel Lony Geng, State Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries in Unity State, declared an end to marginalisation and colonisation” and promised to help South Sudan advance in peace, with improved infrastructure.

A former freedom fighter, Geng said he felt excited and joyous on this long-awaited day.  

It has been long journey to reach the final step toward our right of self-determination of South Sudan,” he said.
 
Although Unity State has been one of the richest oil-producing areas in South Sudan, it has seen little benefit. Most of the south’s revenue goes to the military, and promises to invest more in development in the wake of the peace agreement in 2005 have fallen flat.

Now that South Sudan has achieved full sovereignty, people’s aspirations are high, and the list of tasks awaiting leadership’s attention is daunting. For now, the celebratory mood continues, but once the party is over, the real work begins.