By Ayet Ujwok, Volunteer with Chicago Oxfam Action Corps
“Oh God! We praise and glorify you, for your grace on South Sudan. The land of great abundance, uphold us united in peace and harmony.” The spectacular words for a new beginning for South Sudan. The beginning phrase of the South Sudanese national anthem was debut on July 9, 2011 when the country finally gained its independence. One might think that with such strong words, comes a strong nation but that posed contradiction especially within the past year.
When South Sudan gained its independence from the Sudan, unity and prosperity was what the country had to look forward to. For numerous years, South Sudan has lived behind the shadow of Sudan and were marginalized for years. The main separation is the cause of ancestry and religious belief. The north is mainly of Arab descent and Muslim and the South is mainly Christian.
As far back as the 1950’s, South Sudan tried to gain independence from the British. The British did not consider the southern needs but yet granted the Sudan to be their own country. After decolonization, most power was given to the north where the capital of Sudan is –Khartoum. Many of the distress caused in South Sudan may have begun from the north but they are not completely to blame.
In 1991, a Sudanese Civil War took place. Fighting breaks out again between north and south Sudan, under leadership of John Garang's Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), after Sudanese President Jaafar Numeiri abolishes South Sudan's autonomy. Dr. John Garang worked toward liberating South Sudan from the north. This attempt lead to war in Sudan causing many Sudanese refugees, like myself, to flee to the US. This war ended in 2005, but did it really end?
When South Sudan gained their independence on July 9, 2011, the late Dr. John Garang’s second in command, Salva Kiir Mayardit, was elected president and had elected Riek Machar as vice president. The country was in utter excitement and I recall my mother weeping in joy while talking to her relatives in South Sudan about how happy they were to finally be separated from the north.
Since the independence, to the outside world, South Sudan seemed like it was in good condition. One might not have realized that within such a small country, there was much division due to tribal differences. There are over 60 tribes in South Sudan, many of which have been in conflict for decades. This aspect of South Sudan worried the people even after independence. The fear of fighting the north may have been over, but a new chapter of fighting amongst each other had just begun.
The unfortunate events that took place in December 2013 became what the South Sudanese people feared the most –fighting amongst each other. It began when President Salva Kiir had relieved Riek Machar of his vice presidential duties a few months earlier. The president claimed that the attacks made on the government was a coup developed by former vice president Machar against the government. Keep in mind that these two politicians were of opposing tribes that have been in dispute for years –the Dinka tribe and Nuer tribe.
On December 16, 2013 sporadic attacks were taken upon the streets of the capital city, Juba. The fighting quickly spread to South Sudan’s upper and western states of Unity, Jonglei, Benitiu and Bor. Hundreds of innocent civilians were murdered and thousands displaced from their homes. The unfortunate political conflicts of Kiir and Machar has left many Southern Sudanese with lost hope for prospering the newly independent country.
Currently, peace talks are being negotiated in Ethiopia to end the fighting. South Sudan worked so hard for separation from the north. The recent killings of the innocent has left the country in heartache. If South Sudan cannot compromise the tribal and political differences, the country will eventually collapse. That beautiful national anthem needs to be revived for the country to move forward.
For more information on Oxfam International's efforts with Sudan, please visit their website here
“Oh God! We praise and glorify you, for your grace on South Sudan. The land of great abundance, uphold us united in peace and harmony.” The spectacular words for a new beginning for South Sudan. The beginning phrase of the South Sudanese national anthem was debut on July 9, 2011 when the country finally gained its independence. One might think that with such strong words, comes a strong nation but that posed contradiction especially within the past year.
When South Sudan gained its independence from the Sudan, unity and prosperity was what the country had to look forward to. For numerous years, South Sudan has lived behind the shadow of Sudan and were marginalized for years. The main separation is the cause of ancestry and religious belief. The north is mainly of Arab descent and Muslim and the South is mainly Christian.
As far back as the 1950’s, South Sudan tried to gain independence from the British. The British did not consider the southern needs but yet granted the Sudan to be their own country. After decolonization, most power was given to the north where the capital of Sudan is –Khartoum. Many of the distress caused in South Sudan may have begun from the north but they are not completely to blame.
In 1991, a Sudanese Civil War took place. Fighting breaks out again between north and south Sudan, under leadership of John Garang's Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), after Sudanese President Jaafar Numeiri abolishes South Sudan's autonomy. Dr. John Garang worked toward liberating South Sudan from the north. This attempt lead to war in Sudan causing many Sudanese refugees, like myself, to flee to the US. This war ended in 2005, but did it really end?
When South Sudan gained their independence on July 9, 2011, the late Dr. John Garang’s second in command, Salva Kiir Mayardit, was elected president and had elected Riek Machar as vice president. The country was in utter excitement and I recall my mother weeping in joy while talking to her relatives in South Sudan about how happy they were to finally be separated from the north.
Since the independence, to the outside world, South Sudan seemed like it was in good condition. One might not have realized that within such a small country, there was much division due to tribal differences. There are over 60 tribes in South Sudan, many of which have been in conflict for decades. This aspect of South Sudan worried the people even after independence. The fear of fighting the north may have been over, but a new chapter of fighting amongst each other had just begun.
The unfortunate events that took place in December 2013 became what the South Sudanese people feared the most –fighting amongst each other. It began when President Salva Kiir had relieved Riek Machar of his vice presidential duties a few months earlier. The president claimed that the attacks made on the government was a coup developed by former vice president Machar against the government. Keep in mind that these two politicians were of opposing tribes that have been in dispute for years –the Dinka tribe and Nuer tribe.
On December 16, 2013 sporadic attacks were taken upon the streets of the capital city, Juba. The fighting quickly spread to South Sudan’s upper and western states of Unity, Jonglei, Benitiu and Bor. Hundreds of innocent civilians were murdered and thousands displaced from their homes. The unfortunate political conflicts of Kiir and Machar has left many Southern Sudanese with lost hope for prospering the newly independent country.
Currently, peace talks are being negotiated in Ethiopia to end the fighting. South Sudan worked so hard for separation from the north. The recent killings of the innocent has left the country in heartache. If South Sudan cannot compromise the tribal and political differences, the country will eventually collapse. That beautiful national anthem needs to be revived for the country to move forward.
For more information on Oxfam International's efforts with Sudan, please visit their website here
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