User:Deng Dinka

Story: The Republic of South Sudan.

By: Deng Dinka

I may not be the only one, nor do I become the last writer to express my gratitude, joy and sincerity for the Historic Referendum and Independent of the Republic of South Sudan. We deserved to be free. We have achieved this freedom by the blood of our fore-fathers and all our brothers and sisters who fought and died for the courses of our freedom. In our country, days of peace, unity and hope were rare. Our country had no happiness. There were no justices and no freedom. Daily, our country has been headlined by war and famine. It’s filled up with graves. Approximately, more than 2.5 million people have died as a result of either war or famine, and also displaced more millions in surrounding neighboring countries and around the world.

I voted for freedom of my religion. I voted for freedom and the independence of my country-The Republic of South Sudan. I voted for peace. I voted for love. I voted for everlasting liberty. I voted for me. I voted for my grand-grade-children and generation to come for them to enjoy freedom and ownership of their motherland. Just that day made me tear up. It was just a blessing to be alive and to see my life come full circle to where I have wanted to be for so long. I felt peace–something that has eluded me for a long time. I am not longer afraid to say Hallelujah in my own country.

Psalm 84:10 better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere:

I am very proud and truly blessed to have witnessed this historical event in my life time. I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. I am so honored to have had this chance to witness. A time when we all came together to decided and voted for our rights. I was so inspired by the way our people (South Sudanese) conducted and celebrated the referendum all around the world. It touched on every one of us and reminded us on how long we suffered in 22 years of a civil war. Referendum was like Memorial Day. A day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service, or observances in memory of dead members of our families, [It gave us a lot of memories about our brothers and sisters whom we lost in the days of struggled]. I have seen so many cried. Women and children were holding their hands and praying on the streets sidewalk and in voting centers. Overjoyed people were beating the drums and dancing while waiting in long lines in the voting centers. Yes, on behave of South Sudanese, that day was more than thousands days of war, death and sorrow for all Southerners elsewhere. Thank be for Almighty God, for giving us ONE DAY, once and for all.

Who IS Your Hero? R.I.P

Ageer Gum is my heroine. She was born in Rumbeek, Southern Sudan. She is from Dinka (Agar) tribe and she became the only woman who was given a command position in the upper level ranks in guerilla war (Anya Nya One) which was Sudan’s first civil war of 1950s and 1960s. Ager gum’s main duty in which she was remembered the most was she was a woman military intelligence and she used to performed vital services away from the front lines. Ager Gum used to entered some major towns and cities where Arabs military controlled and pretended to carry a baby in a baby basket while smuggling weapons and food out to Southern guerilla troops. Ager gum wasn’t just a pretender but also used a real baby to entered military checkpoint with bombs such as gonads or RBG to blow up and killed as much as she can to revenged the killing of her Southern guerillas killed in front lines. Ager Gum was one of a kind, rare to find. She was strong leader, heroine and smart women.

My heart goes to her (R.I.P) and I am proud of her duty and performances as a liberator. My additional heroes are the founders of our nation: Colonial Deng Nhial, Dr. John Garang, Cdr. Deng Aguang, Cdr. Nyanchingak, Cdr. William Nyuon, Arok Thon Arok, Garbino Kuanyin Bol. To name just a few, they would have all be so proud today. Cdr, Ms. Ager Gum and other martyrs died fighting for the independence of south Sudan. My vote for separation was to honor them. I am happy knowing that they did not die in vain.

A Flag of Our Nation: The Republic of South Sudan’s flag is a symbol of what the land and people treasure; it represents our values and standards: We love, care and stands beyond its all measures. Our flag is shining and flies high for freedom, legal equality and justice once for all.

Seven Colors: The Seven Colors of our flag represent the following:

1.     The land and people (blacks)

2.     Peace (white),

3.     The bloodshed for freedom (red)

4.     God’s light shine upon us (white)

5.     The landscape (green)

6.     The waters of the Nile (blue);

7.     Gold Star represents (Struggle, Hope, Unity of our states and Long Living): ■ Struggle of Christianity and the people of South Sudan ■ Hope for the people of South Sudan ■ Unity for all the states of South Sudan ■ Long living (Star) to guide the country and its citizens towards an optimistic future.

SYMBOLS: ■Black—represents the land and the people. Historically, Sudan (as whole) means the land of the blacks. ■ White —represents the peace attained after years of devastating civil war and bloodshed ■ Red—symbolizes the blood shed for freedom. Approximately 2 million people died during the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-Jan. 2005) as a result of famine, disease, neglect and displacement (approx. 4 million South Sudanese people were displaced at least once), so it is fitting that South Sudan’s flag contain a symbol for their hard-earned freedom. ■ White’2nd — God’s light shine upon (God bless & promised) the Republic of South Sudan: 1.Bless with resources—oil, gold, wildlife, etc. 2. Promised in the book (Bible Prophecy) of Isaiah 18: Mentioned, “The powerful nation divided by the rivers, the land of the blacks beyond the mountains. A land of the brave, fearless and proud, tall, smooth skinned people along the River Nile….” ■Green & Blue—Green represents South Sudan’s land, agricultural potential, and natural resources. ■ Blue symbolizes the Nile River, which is source of life for the country. ■ Green and blue were incorporated into the flag’s design because South Sudan’s abundant fertile land (due to greater access to water) and natural resources (oil) are extremely important components of their nation. The South’s natural resources were contributing factors in the civil war, since the North (with a more arid climate) attempted to control the South’s natural resources. ■ Gold Star (Yellow Star) — South Sudan’s flag also has a gold star, also known as the Star of Bethlehem, inside the blue triangle at the hoist. The Star of Bethlehem is a Christian symbol that was said to have revealed the birth of Jesus Christ, (Matthew 2:1–23) to the wise men and to have led them to Bethlehem, therefore symbolizing a future filled with hope and promise. This star on the South Sudanese flag therefore serves as a star guiding the country and its people towards an optimistic future and symbolizes the unity of the South Sudanese states.

Star of Bethlehem:

Additionally, Star of Bethlehem represents the struggle of Christianity in South Sudan. The use of a Christian symbol on the national flag shows South Sudan’s unique identity from Sudan, since historically southern Sudan has been predominantly Christian, as opposed to the more Islamic north. South Sudan’s flag is a great example of a national flag that effectively uses colors, symbols and shapes in its design to symbolize major themes and components of the nation and relay its unique identity.

Why religion? I admitted, I may not be the first person who chosen to say this but in Sudan imposition of Sharia law and Islamic fundamentalism on the non-Muslim was one of reasons and the root cause for the longest civil war since 1983, which ended when peace (CPA) was signed in 2005.The war in Sudan was routinely characterized as a conflict between Muslims and Christians, also known as a conflict between Arabs and non-Arabs/Africans. Religion issue was the main and a key factor which shaped the two sides into many years of the civil war and conflict. Here are some root causes:

1. In 1980s and 1990s, Muslim regime from the north Sudan committed genocide against both animists and Christians in the South Sudan. The Islamic government has been practiced a systemic genocide and racism against Christians, using ethnic cleansing, waging war by burning down buildings including churches and massacring people's belongings, destroying lands and farm animals; raped women and killed men including boys. For example, approximately 26,000 boys ages 7-11 (Lost Boys of Sudan) were forced to flee the country and scape war and genocide conducted by Jihad from North in the South. 2. Islamic government from north Sudan has been trying to impose Sharia law on the mainly Animist and Christian South and on the entire country. Sharia and Islam laws have been permitted to be the only source for the constitution. For example: Islam as the only official religion, and Arabic as the only official language. 3. The Islamic government has been threatening church leaders who carrying out preaching, or involved in evangelistic (Christianity) activities. They do not want pastors to carry on any church activities or missionaries work in Sudan. 4. No converting from Islam to another religion, but except from another religious to Islamic and this was possibly done and made by military force. 5. The lack of religious freedom of expression and lack of genuine dialogue between Christians and Muslims because of political manipulation.

National Expression (let’s say’):

Long live the land and the people!!

Long live the Republic of South Sudan!!

Long live the SPLM/SPLA!!!

(Sudan’s People Liberation Movement/Sudan’s People Liberation Army)

SPLM Oyee! SPLA Oyee!! South Sudan Oyee!!!

What’s Oyee! Oyee!! Oyee!!!? Oyee! Means, listen, listen up, and listen here. Any of those is another way to agree with someone or to show acknowledgement. It is a moral imperative to support the resistance in response to an action or statement. According to South Sudanese, Oyee is more than just acknowledgement or resistance; it is an agreement and motivation between the speaker and supporters.