Vice President Riek Macchar has delivered an invitation from President Salva Kiir to the President of Dubai, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as organisers plan for 30 heads of state
BY JOSEPH EDWARD
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTOrganisers and government departments are in a rush to beat deadlines ahead of celebrations next weekend. Health Undersecretary Olivia Lomoro says some states, such as Jonglei and Aweil are clean, but a lot remains to do. Parliament last week rushed through six bills, establishing among others, the Seal, Anthem, and flag. Even the states are in a rush. In Eastern Equatoria, assembly members rushed through a resolution to award Kiir a peace prize, joining Western Bahr el Ghazel in doing so.
And, last week, Vice President Riek Macchar delivered an invitation from President Salva Kiir to the President of Dubai, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s. The invitation was delivered to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash. During the meeting, the two sides explored the future of the relations between the UAE and the Government of South Sudan and ways to boost them in all fields.
About 30 heads of States are expected at the Independence celebrations, with Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir, chief among them, according to GOSS Secretary General Abdon Agaw. Abdon said this following a parade by the organized forces, part of preps for the big day, that left out civil society groups.
“Civil society will not be allowed to march with the organized forces because they cannot march like soldiers. They need to move alone like happy people carrying and singing some slogans with concrete messages from the people of South Sudan to the world. [But] we are happy the parade was well done. We will address some remaining issues within days to the final rehearsal
GOSS Secretary General ABDON AGAW NHIAL JOK
And, last week, the South Sudan Legislative Assembly last week set a legislative milestone, pushing through six bills ahead of Independence this Saturday.
“Parliament has never passed six bills per day since its creation in 2005,” said SSLA Speaker Wani Igga. “It comes as miracle, and the first of its kind.”
Passing a bill through the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly usually drags on for weeks or months, but MPs last week achieved a first – passing six bills in a single day.
Parliament passed the National Anthem bill 2011, Nationality Bill 2011, the Seal of the Republic bill 2011, the Passport and Immigration Bill 2011, the National Flag bill 2011, and the National coat of arms bill 2011.
The Minister of Legal Affairs and constitutional development in the Government of Southern Sudan, Hon. John Luk Jok identified the bills as urgent bills.
Luk quoted regulations of the Assembly Conduct of Business to add that urgent laws don’t require much debate.
Some 81 MPs voted for immediate passage of the urgent bills.
Some 22 legislators were against passage, arguing that the bills are not so urgent.
Five members of the opposition Sudan People Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) stayed away from the vote.
Last week, Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the black on the coat of arms represents African heritage, white represents peace, and Green represents the country’s resources.
“Blue represents the Nile, which is a source of life,” Barnaba said. “The yellow is a guiding star.” Barnaba also said the spear indicates that ‘we will work to protect and till the land.”
He said this as a cleaning fever engulfed the nation.
CLEANING FEVER
Following the signals from other states, police in Tonj, Warrap State, is supervising the clean up of the town as Warrap steps up preparations for a dirt-free Independence. A general clean-up operation was conducted over the weekend.
Tonj South County Police Chief Inspector Joseph Mayei said every boma and payam in South Tonj is making similar preparations to celebrate independence.
Last week, security forces marched through the streets of Tonj town, Warrap State, while singing freedom songs, preparing for the parade to mark the independence celebrations in the county.
Mayei said the communities in the county should welcome the new nation in peace and without conflicts.
He said the force is ready to keep security in preparation for the independence declaration.
The state has deployed police the five Payams in Tong.
Following a tour, Mayei said that all the five payams in the county and found everybody and everything ready to welcome the new county.
The D-day comes amid security challenges.
SECURITY CHALLENGES
SPLA spokesperson Phillip Aguer said militias allied to Peter Gadet targeted IDPs from Abyei and the Turalei civil administration, killing ten. Aguer said the militia operates like terrorists targeting civilians instead of attacking the army. Aguer said the army has deployed but the border is too wide to be fully covered.
In Lakes State, Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the South Sudan Police Services will deploy more security personnel after the state came asking for more.
Governor Chol Tong Mayay, after meetings with GOSS officials and with the President in Juba, said the deployment would be immediate.
The Governor urged the citizens of Lakes State to maintain calm and peace ahead of the celebration of independence and stop killings in the state.
Tong said his government was not going to tolerate any public disturbances.
The state has been occasionally hit by rustling and political wrangles. The Political Advisor Dut Makoi Kuok resigned last month, only two months after he was named to the post, claiming he was overlooked.
Tong said the citizens of the state should turn up at the various celebration grounds on July 9 to honour the Independence.
