Northern Bahr El Ghazal State celebrated South Sudan’s first independence anniversary on 9th of July. The cheering crowd performed cultural dances which included beating drums, singing, dancing, shouting for joy, raising and waving flags into the sky, while the army marched in parade proudly.
While addressing the celebrating crowd in Aweil East, the SPLM/A state secretary General Luka Luac Nhial exhorted citizens to support the army, and urged the army to protect the nation: “We tell you to protect your people to the end, and nothing will face you because they (the citizens) stand behind you, we tell you to support SPLA because they protect you.”
South Sudan and Sudan still have post-secession issues of oil transit fees, border demarcation, Abyei’s final status, and dual citizenship unresolved despite on-going talks in Addiss Abba.
Other challenges facing the new nation include tribal conflicts in its various states, with cattle raiding affecting Jonglei and Lakes states in particular.
Independence celebrations were postponed in Cueibet county in Lakes State due to tribal clashes which left 19 dead and 15 others injured, according to the Miraya 101 FM news on Tuesday morning.