South Sudan marks independence day

SOUTH Sudan raised its flag as a new nation for the first time yesterday, as thousands of newly anointed citizens mingled with dozens of international dignitaries in the capital Juba to celebrate.

It became the world's newest country with a raucous street party at midnight. At a packed ceremony a few hours later, the speaker of parliament read a proclamation of independence as the flag of Sudan was lowered and South Sudan's was raised amid cheers.

"Hallelujah!" one onlooker yelled, as other wiped away tears.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former US secretary of state Colin Powell and dozens of other world leaders were in attendance under a blazing sun as South Sudan president Salva Kiir Mayardit hosted the midday ceremony. Sudan president Omar al-Bashir, deeply unpopular in Juba, arrived to boos and murmured surprise.

"Wow, this is a great day for me because it's a day that reflects the suffering that all southerners have had for almost 50 years," said David Aleu, a 24-year-old medical student.

Thousands of South Sudanese thronged to the celebration, and organisers soon realised they did not have enough seats for all the visiting heads of state and other VIPs. The heat was strong enough that Red Cross workers attended to many people who fainted.

"We're overwhelmed. We did not know that the whole world was going to join us in our celebration," the ceremony's announcer said.

The black African tribes of South Sudan and the mainly Arab north battled two civil wars over more than five decades, and some two million died in the latest war, from 1983-2005. It culminated in a 2005 peace deal that led to the independence declaration.

Thousands of South Sudanese poured into the ceremonial arena when gates opened. Traditional dancers drummed in the streets as residents waved tiny flags.

Activists from the western Sudan region of Darfur, which has suffered heavy violence in the past decades, held up a sign that said "Bashir is wanted dead or alive". The Sudanese president has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.

"We came to say welcome to our brothers from the south. We came also to remind the world the problem in Darfur is continuing," said Nimir Mohammed.

David Cameron hailed the creation of South Sudan yesterday, expressing hope it would prove the start of "a new and peaceful chapter". Foreign Secretary William Hague was among those gathered in Juba for the formal ceremonies.

Susan Rice, the American ambassador to the UN and leader of the US delegation that attended yesterday's independence celebrations, sent greetings from the world's oldest democracy to the world's newest state. In a statement from the White House, President Barack Obama said: "After so much struggle by the people of South Sudan, the United States of America welcomes the birth of a new nation."Secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement that the US would remain a "steadfast partner" as South Sudan seeks to build a free, democratic and inclusive society. China - which has a big interest in Sudan's oil - sent a delegation. Uganda president Yoweri Museveni - South Sudan's southern neighbour - was among the many African leaders present.

South Sudan is expected to become the 193rd country recognised by the United Nations next week and the 54th UN member state in Africa. However, though yesterday is a day of celebration, residents of South Sudan must soon face many challenges. Their country is oil-rich but one of the world's poorest and least-developed. Unresolved problems between the south and its former foe to the north could mean new conflict along the new border, diplomats warn.

Violence has broken out in the contested border region of Abyei in recent weeks, and fighting is ongoing in Southern Kordofan, a state within Sudan - not South Sudan - but which has many residents loyal to the south.

The 1,300-mile north-south border is disputed in five areas, several of which are being illegally occupied by either north or south.

The young government faces the challenge of reforming its bloated and often predatory army, diversifying its oil-based economy, and deciding how political power will be distributed among the dozens of ethnic and military factions. It must also begin delivering basic needs such as education, health services, water and electricity to its more than eight million citizens.

While South Sudan is now expected to control more than 75 per cent of what was Sudan's daily oil production, it has no refineries and southern oil must flow through the north's pipelines to get to market.

But yesterday, at least, those problems lay on the back burner. Smiles, singing and dancing instead took precedence.

Adut Monica Joseph waited for the ceremony with her sister and uncle as VIPs arrived. She said she looked forward to a day when women in South Sudan did not face the hardships they had in recent decades. The risk to mothers of death during childbirth is extremely high in the poor and underdeveloped rural south.

"I'm very grateful to see many people from other countries," said the 22-year-old. "I'm appreciating that they have come to celebrate with us. I hope when we have independence we shall have freedom and education for women."