(Image source: CNN)

BY JING ZHAO

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After decades of bloodshed and adversity, the Republic of South Sudan will celebrate its independence this Saturday, July 9, joining the community of nations.

NIMA ELBAGIR: “After nearly three decades of conflict, the 2005 peace agreement between North and South Sudan, that brought about the end of Africa’s longest-running civil war, is about to bring about the birth of the world’s newest nation...”

People in South Sudan are excited about the birth of a new nation. Some people have carried the new national flag in the streets -- expressing their pride.

“It means liberty. It means a class of people are going to enjoy the rightfulness of the right citizens of the land. It means God has heard our cry, and has blessed us, and blessed our people...” (YouTube/PRI)

But while the citizens of the new country celebrate their independence, South Sudan will be born with some serious problems. Millions have been killed or displaced because of the violence of the last few decades, and high poverty rates and low literacy plague the new state.

And an Al Jazeera reporter says the new national border will make access to medicine even more difficult.

HARU MUTASA: “With the critical supply line from Khartoum cut off, treating the sick is become increasingly difficult. And importing drugs from other East African countries is more expensive. Lab technicians test for things like malaria in here, but not only is the equipment not enough, if a test comes back positive, sometimes the drugs aren’t available.”

Sudan Tribune reports another challenge -- the transition of the military from a group of militias and geurilla fighters to a regular army.

“The spokesperson said the new Nation will need to develop the army from quantitative to qualitative in terms of discipline, compatriotism, armaments and equipment, and creation of some units within the Army.”

But while the new nation has a difficult road ahead, tensions with the north have relaxed as the two countries negotiate an oil deal. Most of Sudan’s oil is in the territory of the new country. The BBC quotes Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir as wishing the country the best.

"’We will bless our brothers in the south over their country and we wish them success,’ he said, state TV quoted him as saying.”


 

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