President hails  S Sudan

independence after a protracted period of struggle.
Speaking on arrival at Juba Airport yesterday, the President, who is here to attend the swearing in ceremony of President Salva Kiir Mayardit as the first leader of Southern Sudan, said Africa was happy to see the addition of a new independent state.

“Zimbabwe is delighted that this day has come after a long day of struggle by the people of Southern Sudan to achieve the objective of self rule and independence.
“It’s a day, which we celebrate not only because of the struggle, but also after the struggle there was an agreement, which stipulated what had to be done,” he said.

The President said as people of Southern Sudan were holding their referendum, the rest of Africa was watching and the result was a resounding yes for those who voted for a separate state.
“Today we celebrate that victory. Zimbabwe is with you. Zimbabwe delights with you and we also acknowledge the fact that Northern Sudan has honoured the decision by the people of Southern Sudan,” he said.
President Mugabe said he hoped that the other arrangement to the agreement would be followed.

“This is a day of joy, a day of happiness because the war has come to an end and there is peace.
“Africa rejoices with you, Africa is happy that there is this additional state.
“The only point of sorrow is that we celebrate this day in the absence of our dear John Garang. We would have wanted him to be here. However, history will always remember him as a hero.

“Congratulations and the people of Zimbabwe will also remember him as a hero. Congratulations to the people of Southern Sudan. We are together,” he said.
President Mugabe was met at Juba Airport by Southern Sudan’s Minister of Information, Mr Benjamin Barnaby.
There was a carnival atmosphere in Southern Sudan as citizens got ready for their independence celebrations.

There were placards all over the city of Juba congratulating President Mayarbit for the attainment of independence.
Earlier in Harare, Vice President Joice Muju-ru, service chiefs, ministers and senior Govern-ment officials sent off Cde Mugabe and his delegation yesterday.
The Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces joined over 30 heads of State and Government in Sudan’s capital Juba to witness the birth of a new African State today.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, State Security Minister in the President’s Office Dr Sydney Sekeramayi and other senior Government officials accompanied President Mugabe.
The birth of South Sudan under the leadership of Mr Mayardit signals the full implementation of a 2005 peace deal, which ended Africa’s longest running civil war.
The war saw over 98 percent of people in South Sudan voting overwhelmingly to secede and become Africa’s newest State since Eritrea split from Ethiopia in 1993.

South Sudan is made up of 10 southernmost states of Sudan and is a land of extensive grasslands, swamps and tropical rainforests straddling both banks of the White Nile.
Unlike the north, which is predominantly Muslim, South Sudan follows traditional religion and has a Christian minority.

You Might Also Like

Comments