South Sudan: first things first – in pictures
The Republic of South Sudan is the world’s newest nation, achieving independence on 9 July following Africa’s longest-running civil war. Optimism is high – 98% of voters chose secession – but the new government has almost no capacity to run a village, …
Mabior Garang, son of Dr John Garang, a former SPLA rebel leader and Sudanese politician“The people are edgy right now. They fought the war, contributed their children, their crops, their livestock. The moment they should be paid back, the movement is hijacked by the ”cut-and-paste middle class” – the foreign diaspora returning. They can’t institute policies that speak to the people. And when people are hungry and perceive those in power are denying them food, they will rise up.”
Rachel Angeth Madit, 21, Miss South Sudan/Miss New Sudan African Queen“My four brothers died during the war. I went to secondary school in Uganda. I came back to Juba last year with my mum. I haven’t seen my father since I was 15. He is a Dinka, has 20 wives and many children – he’s a chief. I saw the modelling competition on the internet. I won a small car, a laptop and a crown. I haven’t done any modelling yet – there is no industry here – but I’ve registered my agency, South Sudan Next Top Model. I just need investors. And I’m involved with an orphans project in Juba.”
Sabina Dario Lokolong, deputy minister for humanitarian affairs and disaster management“From 1998, I lived in Leeds and worked in odd jobs – catering, a warehouse, Eastgate Jobcentre. I returned to Sudan in 2005. After the comprehensive peace agreement, I became a member of parliament, and then, after independence, deputy minister.”
General Mamur Obuto Mete, deputy chief of staff for moral orientation responsible for the demobilisation of militias and renegade groups, pictured with his bodyguards.
Atem Yaak Atem, deputy minister, ministry of information and broadcasting‘I was the owner and editor of the Pioneer newspaper in Juba. As I was in the SPLA, I was a propagandist. I have been compared to Goebbels. I was appointed in August. I’m like a fish out of water, wearing a suit.’
Benjamin Bol, a former SPLA rebel soldier who now runs a multimillion dollar road-building business‘When I was at university in Nairobi, I saved all my money, bought two trucks and rented them to the UN and the SPLA for $500 a day. Then there was a shortage of food, so I bought imported food and sold it to the army. The turning point was starting a business in Juba.’
Silver X, 24, rap artist and singer‘My album is a great hit. Small kids sing it, old mamas and papas. I don’t go into politics in my singing – it’s a bit risky. I sang a song about how hard it is when you go for a job and they want to know what tribe you’re from, who your father is. It brought me into conflict with the government. My father died in the war. He was shot by his wife’s brother – they were soldiers. My mother took us to Uganda and I was educated in Kampala. When we achieved independence, I was shocked. There was a four-day concert and I performed at the cultural centre. When they raised the flag, I was shedding tears – for what had happened in the past, but also for joy.’
Rock City Hotel Pool, Jebel Hill, JubaOn Sunday afternoon, the pool fills up with well-off South Sudanese.
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