Now that the country has celebrated, danced, dined and wined, the real work of building a brand new country begins. For, it is when the boat approaches the shoreline that it is often in the greatest danger of capsizing.
The country must tread, therefore, with care, as everybody does his or her best to build it from scratch. Basic services must be delivered to all corners of the new Country. Capacity must be enhanced at all levels. Agricultural output must be increased to ensure that Independence is fully realized.
Citizens are optimistic. The challenge will be how government manages these expectations. One way is to have open communication channels between the governed and the government. Message flow through these channels should be loud and clear without distortion. The county has witnessed, during the run up to the Independence Day, the cooperation between the governed and the government in the drive to keep Juba and the other State Capitals clean and green. That was a lesson in how cooperation could achieve a lot. That same spirit should drive everyone as a new country is built.
The tree of peace and nationhood under whose shed the country now sits was watered by the blood and sweat of men and women whose relentless crusade for a free and just Sudan gave rise to the liberation struggles, which culminated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ushered in this Republic. July 9, 2011, will forever remain momentous. The liberation struggle was like a relay race. Those involved ran their leg, and in a manner of speaking, were like Moses. They parted the Red Sea of political intrigues and internal sabotage, stood on the Mountains and beheld the Promised Land, but now the people must continue to Canaan to confront the walls of Jericho.
Peace has had a flirtatious relationship with South Sudan. Let all who witnessed the great day of Independence be the High Priests who will preside over the marriage between peace and this new country.
For once, people should afford to be proud, walk with heads high and stand as equals among the sisterhood of Nations. Let each one marshal one’s individual and collective efforts to make this a reality and place the country permanently on the world map. The country has come this far, yes, but it can go even further. It is now up to everyone to actualize the National seal’s intent through the words engrained on it: Justice, Liberty and Prosperity. The world is watching. The country must prove that it is ready for prime time.
God Bless the Republic of South Sudan.
