Jubilation and anxiety as South Sudan is hours away from becoming a new nation

Anthony Kamba (Juba, Southern Sudan). Views expressed are the author’s own.

The much awaited day of South Sudan’s Independence is closer than ever. In the streets of the capital Juba, preparations are in final stages for the Saturday ceremony. The security has been beefed-up at every public spot including churches, schools and even health centres. Yesterday, all security agencies took the streets by surprise to conduct manual check of everyone on the road and in vehicles.

Whether you are moving within or out of Juba, you are subjected to high security checks. If you are not in Juba and your home is closed don’t be surprised if you find it well searched, the government is not taking anything for granted especially given the violence that the country has faced in the past. Juba, which has not been known for traffic jams has experienced several in the last few days. It’s a joyous mood but many people have high expectations and anxieties about their new government delivering on the issues of interest to the people of South Sudan.

David De Dau, a renowned media practitioner in the region says, “the independence of South Sudan means the end of marginalization and the start of freedom from oppression.”A view much held by many others like Garang Kul Jok, an administrator at one of the offices here. Jok said that the independence of South Sudan is a guarantee to every citizen’s freedom to do the kind of duty they wanted to do which was not possible in the past.

However, the government will face challenges ranging from personal grievance to group grievances. It must address such dissatisfaction with care to ensure many don’t take up arms against their own government.

There are still groups leaders like renegade George Athor, Abdel Bagi Ayi who still cry foul about government representation and structures. Corruption is one other issue that makes such groups move to use forceful means to try to achieve what they want. President Kiir must tackle this head on.

Dau tells me he expects South Sudan’s government to start to address the root cause to the “southern problem” that led to war for over 50 years. He says leaders like President Kiir face a huge task of keeping the unity of the people of South Sudan, which they exhibited many times during the struggle.

A local Chief Abahala Primo also pointed at corruption as what he would like the government to fight. Abahala wants to see traditional leaders like him being given space to participate in the building of their nation.

Despite these concerns the excitement which has built since the January referendum is unlike anything seen before. We can’t wait for Friday midnight and South Sudanese will be free at last.