SALVA KIIR TAKES OATH, GRANTS AMNESTY TO REBELS

South Sudan President Salva Kiir lifts South Sudan’s

new constitution to the crowds of people attending

an independence ceremony in Juba,

on Saturday July 9, 2011. (AP)

Salva Kiir was officially been sworn-in on Saturday as the first president of the newly-created Republic of South Sudan (RSS), moments after he signed the country’s controversial transitional constitution, watched by tens of thousands of celebrating Southern Sudanese.

Clad in his trademark hat Kiir repeated his offer of an amnesty to the six South Sudanese rebel groups destabilising the new nation. He urged them to join hands in the struggle to move forward the new nation.

“I want to offer public amnesty to all those who took arms against the people of South Sudan. Let them lay down these arms and help us in building this new nation,” Kiir said.

After various last years elections various aggrieved groups took up arms against the Juba government. This year a senior member of the southern army defected sighting tribalism and corruption.

Kiir downplayed the possibility that internal conflicts would tear apart the new nation, describing it was a wish for “detractors of peace, security and political stability”.

During his address, president Kiir appealed to citizens of the new republic to focus on unity based on cultural and ethnic diversity, which he said was a source of pride for South Sudan.

“You may be a Zande, Kakwa, Lutugo, Nuer, Dinka or Shiluk, but first remember yourself as a South Sudanese. There will be equal access to existing opportunities for all,” said the leader of the new Republic.

South Sudan’s president reiterated that his government would remain committed in the fight against corruption and all forms of graft. "Transparency and accountability," he said, shall form the basic foundation of the new leadership.

According to Kiir, effective service delivery in public interest will be an obligation to all civil servants and that those who are hesitant to comply will cease to be part of the new government.

“In order to move this country forward, sacrifices have to be made in public service. Those who are not ready to make this kind of sacrifice will not be part of the new government,” the president said, amidst cheers.

The new republic, he emphasised, will closely work with development partners and the international community in efforts to steer the country’s progress. South Sudan he added, will abide by the international covenants as it prepares to be part of their membership.

The president further pledged to play and instrumental role in resolving the outstanding issues of Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), citing the Abyei referendum as well as popular consultations in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

He further called for a just and lasting solution to the conflicts in Sudan’s troubled western region of Darfur, oil-producing region of Abyei and southern Kordofan.

"I want to assure the people of Abyei, Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan that we have not forgotten you. When you cry, we cry. When you bleed, we bleed. I pledge to you today that we will find a just peace for all," he said.

In his speech, Kiir paid tribute to fallen heroes and heroines of the new nation, saying their tireless efforts, which eventually led to the independence, were not in vain. Reciting a proverb, Kirr said, “The night may be too long, but the day will surely come”.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Moments before the president’s speech, James Wani Igga, the speaker of South Sudan’s Parliament had officially declared the independence of the south, according to a resolution reportedly made by the South Sudan’s Legislative Assembly on July, 07, 2011.

The occasion, which was immediately followed by the signing of the transitional constitution by the president, later climaxed with the raising of the country’s flag as the old one was lowered down.

LOW POINTS

Much as security forces played an instrumental role, part of the pavilion meant for the guest remained incomplete. At one moment, Pagan Amum, the Secretary General of the south’d ruling party had to request legislators and South Sudanese citizens to vacate their seats in order to accommodate some guests.

Also, shortly before Sudan president, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir took to the podium, the public address system went off air, raising speculation of foul play by some southern officials.

SUDANESE PRESIDENCY RECOGNISES SOUTH SUDAN INDEPENDENCE

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.

 Sudan Tribune

SOUTH SUDAN PASSES INTERIM CONSTITUTION AMID CONCERNS OVER PRESIDENTIAL POWERS

A woman holds the South Sudan flag during a rehearsal of

the Independence Day ceremony in Juba July 7, 2011.

(photo Paul Bank UNMIS)

The Juba based South Sudan Legislative Assembly passed the long awaited interim constitution, giving more powers to president of the soon-to-be independent state of the Republic of South Sudan on Thursday.

The parliament ratified the draft interim constitution into the supreme law of the land two days before South Sudan formally declares its independence, after the majority of its citizens voted in January to create a nation of their own.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Joyce Kwaje, the chairperson of the information, culture and communications in the parliament announced the passage of the constitution.

Kwaje denied claims that the constitution gives excessive powers to the president of the Government of South Sudan, arguing that the constitution represents the will and rights of the people of South Sudan.

“I congratulate the people of South Sudan for exercising patience and trust they have in their representatives in the parliament to the pass the constitution,” said Kwaje declining further questions from the press.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin, minister of information in the Government of South Sudan also told journalists at daily press briefing in Juba that the new constitution has been passed, denying that it concentrates too much power in the hands of the president.

“The new constitution is out. It has been passed,” said minister Marial, adding that the views of the general public were gathered and considered before the new constitution was passed.

“People of the South Sudan were consulted through their representatives in the parliament. Extensive consultations with our people were made on the constitution and their views have been considered.”

Benjamin explained that the new constitution encourages a system of decentralisation, while reserving the voices calling for federalism, to be addressed in the next permanent constitution.

The constitution contains a provision allowing the transfer of the former members of parliament in Khartoum into the new parliament in South Sudan, regardless of their political parties. Members of the political parties elected in Khartoum state are also allowed to join their respective states in the South.

An additional 66 members from various political parties shall be appointed into the transitional assembly by the presidential decree as 30 other members shall be appointed into the new council of states, making the total 50 representative from various political parties.

In case the post of the president falls vacant within the first one year during the transitional period, the political party on whose ticket the president was elected shall nominate the successor within the 14 days and the elections shall be conducted to fill the vacant position of the president after one year.

A constitutional review committee shall be formed during the interim period to work on the permanent constitution.

CONCERNS AND CRITICISMS

The US-based Cater Center last week urged the ruling SPLM party to demonstrate strong commitments towards an inclusive and participatory governance in South Sudan. It appealed on the parliament to consider taking into account views from cluster groups and other stakeholders before to adopt the constitution.

In a statement released on 2 July, the Center said "The current draft of the transitional constitution contains a number of provisions that appear likely to concentrate power in the central government."

The opposition SPLM-DC said the Constitutional Review Committee dominated by the governing party process "delivered a one-party constitution tailored to fit the SPLM alone". It went further to say the dominant party even rejected the "meek proposals" of some opposition parties.

The SPLM-DC went to accuse the ruling party of maintaining the institutions elected last year saying such decision dishonours the resolution of power sharing agreed during the “All Southern Sudanese Political Parties Conference” held in Juba in October 2010.

The opposition party further says the adopted constitution "denies our people the federal system" by concentrating all the powers in Juba and allowing the President to relieve an elected governor or to dissolve a state legislative assembly.

The new constitution, under article 101 (R), allows the president to dissolve the state legislative assembly and fire elected governors. The president can also declare war and a state of emergency without the prior approval of parliament.

Sudan Tribune