South Sudan Update 17

I am now physically back in Canada and working on reintegrating into life here. My last month of deployment was quite busy and seemed to just fly by. I’ll write my last updates on the events of July 2011 over the next few weeks. It was an exciting, powerful, trying, stressful, exciting month, both for the new nation of South Sudan and for me personally. I plan to insert pictures into past updates, emphasizing certain points, and upload them to the blog over the coming month.

9 July 2011. Smack in the middle of the rainy season; and yet against all odds, it was a clear, beautiful, hot day. The eyes of the world and hearts of many were with the people of South Sudan as they determinedly celebrated and hopefully rejoiced in the birth of their own nation. The Republic of South Sudan seceded today from the Republic of Sudan. A new country is born!

I had the honour and privilege of experiencing this monumental event first hand. During the ceremony I jotted down several notes regarding the speeches and crowds' reactions that I will share in this update. I will try my best to capture the mood and essence of the secession day festivities in Yambio as I experienced them. It is important to know, and telling of the significance of this monumental step, that the party began on 8 July and continued until the 15 July, with many joyous celebrations and businesses staying closed for the duration of this period.

The official secession ceremonies took place across South Sudan on 9 July 2011. All dignitaries and heads of state attended the main festivities in Juba, including the President of Sudan, Mr. Al-Bashir. Events in Yambio were delayed by 1.5 – 2 hours, not bad for African time, due to the fact that the city wanted to line up its timeline with the flag raising ceremony in Juba. The mood was festive and the MC kept the crowd entertained.

It is a normal occurrence here for dignitaries to receive water and treats during any event. This was the first time I saw the same courtesy extended to the civilian population in attendance. It was great to see, since the separation between classes is quite distinct here. It was also slightly prophetic, as the rest of the ceremonial speeches seemed to echo the need for all to be equal under the law and for an end to corruption. In time we will be able to gauge the level of commitment which officials heed to this call.

The joy in the air was palpable. Remembrances and reminders of the years of sacrifice, terror, and horrors inflicted on all South Sudanese, regardless of tribe, was ever present. Many words and prayers were said in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and self determination for their people.

Repeated appeals for forgiveness, understanding, and kindness were emphatically stated. The need for education, investments, rule of law, and an end to corruption were preached. The requirement for HIV/AIDS testing and the ease with which you could have it done, was touted multiple times throughout the afternoon.

All formed troops (Southern Sudan Police Services (SSPS), Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), Wildlife, etc) displayed remarkable drill on parade. They were regimented and sharp. It was a markedly different side to these groups than we had seen in town and on patrol over the past few months.

The fact that they were succinctly drilling together demonstrated a disciplined, ordered approach that underscored a reassuring and positive step in the right direction. It shows that they are becoming a professional military that, with continued guidance and support, can continue to develop from a guerrilla rebel force into a well organized, law abiding body devoted to protecting its citizens.

The Governor of Western Equatorial State, Mr. Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro, took the podium last, and gave a well laid out, passionate appeal to the international community and his people. The first half of his speech, for the benefit of the international community and donors, was scripted and stated all the expected, required elements for such an occasion. During the second half, however, when he spoke to his fellow countrymen, was where his passion truly shone. He restated many of the same points, yet this time spoke in a clear, friendly, laid back manner that conveyed the essence of each of the points through stories and situations that illustrated their importance and made them readily comprehensible to the crowd. He gave numerous examples of potential problems and how he wanted people to react in such situations.

He clearly stated that all people were under the law, including all members of government and himself. He explained that police brutality was not the best way to handle situations; that rather than beating a man, a policeman should ask the man to come with him. And by the same token, that the man should go with the policeman, rather than resist because if he was to resist then the police would beat him. These seemingly simplistic insights took on heightened dimensions of clarity here under the stifling African sun.

Interspersed between speeches were musical acts, band presentations, dancing, and acrobatic performances. Fortunately for me and a few others, there were no more free spaces in the UN audience section, so we snagged seats with the SPLA, SPSS, and Wildlife forces of South Sudan. These seats were right beside the civilian South Sudanese, who were all decked out in their best Sunday outfits. It was spectacular to experience such a monumental event in their history from within their midst!

The magnitude of their sacrifice and the power of the freedom that they were gaining was heavy in the air and unimaginable not to grasp. It must have been the first time that most of them had experienced a parade or festival of this sort. The music and dancers were well received. The acrobats truly stole the show though – think back to your first time seeing an acrobatic show – the wonder and amusement in the audiences' eyes was beautiful and enlightening.

The cries, yells, hugs, dancing, and singing when the Sudan flag was lowered and the South Sudan flag raised accentuated a moment that I will always remember; an unmistakable, powerful statement of hope, love, faith, and pure joy. It was impossible not to be moved by the optimism, fragility, and patriotism so poignant in the air.

The South Sudan National Anthem can be found at the following link http://www.westate.org/index.php/.