So in case you did not know, or you have been busy in the past couple of weeks, the world welcomed a new country into existence: South Sudan. More relevantly, the United Nations welcomed its 193th Member State.
Why does that mean? Is it just another country emerging in poverty stricken Africa? I would say NO.
This marks the end of the longest civil war in African History. It finally gives the people of South Sudan some international recognition and dignity. The dignity and respect they have been robbed of for more than 50 years.
The population of South Sudan had been attacked and slaughtered by the Arabs of the north. And since the area has numerous natural resources, it had been exploited, developing the north and marginalizing the south.
On the South Sudan independence day (July 14th) I read what must have been one of the most depressing report. The report gives an elaborate profile of the new country. As you can imagine it is extremely poor as more than 90% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. Can you imagine?? More than 85% of the population is illiterate. This is a country that has the potential to be the breadbasket of East Africa!!
As depressing as it might be, it is inspiring to now that now they stand separate from the tyranny of the north and they hold their future in their hands. Well for the most part at least! the oil rich region is still under dispute as it is between the two countries.
It certainly feels special to be at the United Nations during such times. As South Sudan was proclaimed a free country, it applied from membership at the United Nations as a separate member state. Once it joined the organization, its flag had to be flown among the United Nations flags out on the UN Plaza. it was scheduled on the day that I had a briefing with the Internship Programme department. So we missed it as we sat through a 3 hour meeting and the Secretary General led the ceremony right outside the Secretariat Building. WE WERE JUST NEXT DOOR!
Upon leaving the meeting, we stopped upfront and spotted the new flag flying high among all free countries of the world.
The country has mountains to climb in terms of changes and development. Hopefully it does so in a democratic and a PEACEFUL manner that guarantees the safety and the welfare of its people.
Welcome to existence South Sudan (At least internationally recognized existence, because your people have existed and suffered for a long time).
Let's hope development soon blooms in South Sudan as they reach their aspirations of a peaceful country.
I thought about ways to help South Sudan and countries like it. One of the best things I could think of is spreading knowledge about the country and what it is going through. So help me spread the word please.
Also, I only learned about this opportunity last week as I was taking the UN tour, but we can all help end world hunger in s a very simple way!!
visit www.freerice.com and play some trivia. For every answer that you get right, 10grains of rice are donated to a needing family. So if you need something to do to pass the time, or just procrastinate for few minutes why not get on the website, have fun AND help feed a needing child or family.
I challenge you to donate as much as you can only by playing!
I reached 2000 grains of rice the other day playing geography! Try it
I Think what I love the most about this internship so far is the fact that I am surrounded by people who are invested in being a world citizens. Who know about South Sudan and share my worries but also the happiness of welcoming S.Sudan into the family :)
-Elmo,