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'In 50 years time we want to see South Sudan educated and at peace' 'In 50 years time we want to see South Sudan educated and at peace'
(3 months later)
What is your role in the government of South Sudan?What is your role in the government of South Sudan?
I'm a member of parliament and the minister of information and broadcasting in the government of the Republic of South Sudan.I'm a member of parliament and the minister of information and broadcasting in the government of the Republic of South Sudan.
When the comprehensive peace agreement was signed in 2009 I was assigned to be an SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) minister in the national government in Khartoum. I was the state minister for international co-operation for one year, but then the government of South Sudan decided to bring me down from the national government, and I was given the portfolio of minister of regional co-operation.When the comprehensive peace agreement was signed in 2009 I was assigned to be an SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) minister in the national government in Khartoum. I was the state minister for international co-operation for one year, but then the government of South Sudan decided to bring me down from the national government, and I was given the portfolio of minister of regional co-operation.
As the election was approaching, my party thought it would be the right time for me to become the minister for information and broadcasting and to become the official spokesperson of the government, to help the SPLA towards the referendum. People voted overwhelmingly for an independent state of South Sudan, and this was confirmed on 9 July 2011.As the election was approaching, my party thought it would be the right time for me to become the minister for information and broadcasting and to become the official spokesperson of the government, to help the SPLA towards the referendum. People voted overwhelmingly for an independent state of South Sudan, and this was confirmed on 9 July 2011.
What did independence mean to you personally?What did independence mean to you personally?
It means the satisfaction of a dream I never thought I would be a part of. For the past 50 years, our fathers and mothers had been fighting hard for independence. We became a part of that struggle. I consider it a great privilege. The people of South Sudan will be able to determine what they want their country to be and for me to be a part of that is incredibly satisfying.It means the satisfaction of a dream I never thought I would be a part of. For the past 50 years, our fathers and mothers had been fighting hard for independence. We became a part of that struggle. I consider it a great privilege. The people of South Sudan will be able to determine what they want their country to be and for me to be a part of that is incredibly satisfying.
The South Sudan government had to almost build the country from scratch. What was your strategy for going about this?The South Sudan government had to almost build the country from scratch. What was your strategy for going about this?
When we took over this country, there weren't any chairs or windows in the offices, and when we managed to get the chairs and tables and windows, there were no files behind our desks. We had to train personnel, beginning from the ministers downwards. It led me to think how difficult it was for the pioneers who came into Africa. Nairobi was a bush and now it's a big modern city, and so is Johannesburg, and Lagos. I thought: "Why not me? Maybe I'll be able to bring the rest of my people to a city which is not like any other part of Africa." So it was a challenge, but a challenge that we expected. This was a duty on behalf of our people.When we took over this country, there weren't any chairs or windows in the offices, and when we managed to get the chairs and tables and windows, there were no files behind our desks. We had to train personnel, beginning from the ministers downwards. It led me to think how difficult it was for the pioneers who came into Africa. Nairobi was a bush and now it's a big modern city, and so is Johannesburg, and Lagos. I thought: "Why not me? Maybe I'll be able to bring the rest of my people to a city which is not like any other part of Africa." So it was a challenge, but a challenge that we expected. This was a duty on behalf of our people.
What have been the lessons that you've learned in the two years since independence?What have been the lessons that you've learned in the two years since independence?
I've learned that there are always problems when you begin from scratch, but if you have patience and determination you can overcome most difficulties.I've learned that there are always problems when you begin from scratch, but if you have patience and determination you can overcome most difficulties.
South Sudan's relationship with Khartoum has been a major cause for concern, both before and since independence. Do you see things getting better in the future, in light of President Omar al-Bashir's recent visit to Juba?South Sudan's relationship with Khartoum has been a major cause for concern, both before and since independence. Do you see things getting better in the future, in light of President Omar al-Bashir's recent visit to Juba?
There have always been ups and downs, but I think that the recent visit of President Al-Bashir completely brought about a new environment. After his one-to-one meeting with and President Salva Kiir, ministers from Sudan and South Sudan were told: "We've agreed that we should implement the co-operation agreement in totality."There have always been ups and downs, but I think that the recent visit of President Al-Bashir completely brought about a new environment. After his one-to-one meeting with and President Salva Kiir, ministers from Sudan and South Sudan were told: "We've agreed that we should implement the co-operation agreement in totality."
There are certain areas they have acted on immediately. President Al-Bashir has said that the Abyei situation must be established immediately. He has invited President Salva Kiir to Khartoum, so they can continue the dialogue and implement these processes.There are certain areas they have acted on immediately. President Al-Bashir has said that the Abyei situation must be established immediately. He has invited President Salva Kiir to Khartoum, so they can continue the dialogue and implement these processes.
Where is South Sudan going to be in 50 years' time?Where is South Sudan going to be in 50 years' time?
We have a vision for 2040. In 40-50 years time we want to see South Sudan educated, with resources, developed to the extent that the delivery of services to its citizens is adequate and satisfying; at peace with its neighbours; participating in international organisations as a responsible part of the civilised nations of the world, and we want our citizens to be at a peace that they have never known before now.We have a vision for 2040. In 40-50 years time we want to see South Sudan educated, with resources, developed to the extent that the delivery of services to its citizens is adequate and satisfying; at peace with its neighbours; participating in international organisations as a responsible part of the civilised nations of the world, and we want our citizens to be at a peace that they have never known before now.
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