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| People take part in South Sudan’s independence day celebrations along the streets of Juba early July 9, 2011. (Reuters) |
The Sudanese presidency recognised formally the independence of the Republic of South Sudan as of Saturday 9 July expressing its commitment to resolve all the remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Celebrations for the independence of South Sudan started Friday night in Juba as thousands went out in the streets of the town dancing and chanting the name of the first President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir.
Many southerners said they will continue the midnight party till the morning when they will attend the formal proclamation of independence which will take place in Juba with the presence of African leaders and representatives from the international community.
In a statement read by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Bakri Hassan Saleh Khartoum was fast to declare Friday that "the Republic of Sudan recognize the Republic of South Sudan as an independent and sovereign state as of July 9th 2011 and according to the border between North and South Sudan on the first of the month of January 1956".
Sudan further renewed its commitment to resolve all remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as well as on post-separation within the framework of negotiations and dialogue and a spirit of cooperation. Khartoum expressed wishes that the people of the two countries will enjoy peace, development and stability.
Khartoum also appealed on the new state "to continue the recognition of agreements and treaties held by the Republic of Sudan, bilaterally, regionally and internationally."
For its part, the ruling party in South Sudan welcomed the announcement of recognition, saying it reflects the highest level of political and national responsibility by the northern government.
A leading member of the South’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, Atim Garang, thanked the Northern government during a phone call with Sudan’s minister of media Kamal Ubayd.
Garang described the move as helpful to constructing amicable relations between the two neighbors and as confirmation of Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party’s commitment to the agreements it signed with the SPLM since the CPA.
On Saturday the official independence ceremony will start at 11:30am at the Dr John Garang Mausoleum in Juba with the arrival of President Salva Kiir Mayadrit, followed by President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
The proclamation of independence will be read at 11:45 am by the President of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga. The declaration will be immediately followed by lowering the Sudanese flag and the raising of South Sudanese flag.
After, President Salva Kiir will sign the new interim constitution, and the national anthem will be played. Foreign dignitaries including UN chief Ban Ki-moon will speak to congratulate the birth of the new state followed by presidents Bashir and Mayadrit.
The independence celebration will continue with a 21 gun salute and a military march. The official ceremony is expected to end by 2:30pm, as music and cultural activities will be held throughout the city till late at night.
In Khartoum, the reactions were mixed as many Sudanese in the streets of the capital said they respect the will of South Sudanese and their choice for independence as they opted in the referendum on self determination held last January.
Yesterday the Sudanese cabinet endorsed a series of amendments to the nationality law withdrawing the citizenship of Southern Sudanese. The ruling National Congress Party said by voting overwhelmingly for independence the Southerners voluntarily gave up their nationality.
Also, the government suspended on Friday a number of newspapers as the Khartoum Monitor, The Citizen, The Juba Post and Ajrass Al-Hurriya. The National Newspapers Council said its owners are foreigners now after the secession of South Sudan.
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