Nigeria pledges support for newly independent South Sudan

As reactions continue to trail the declaration of the state of South Sudan,
President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the young country of Nigeria’s
preparedness to assist her in the challenges ahead.

President Jonathan who joined other world leaders to witness the swearing-in of
President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the official hoisting of the nation’s flag in the
capital city, Juba, on Saturday, congratulated the government and people of the
Republic of South Sudan on their attainment of independence.

Fielding questions from newsmen on arrival in Juta for the event, President
Jonathan remarked that the events “marked the beginning of a new dawn for the
people of the new country”.

He assured the Government and people of South Sudan that Nigeria will support
and assist their country in every possible way as they begin the task of building a
new nation.

President Jonathan who was accompanied on the trip by some of his aides and
top government functionaries, was received on arrival at Juba by the South
Sudanese Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Makuac Teny Youk, Nigerian
Embassy officials as well as the leadership of the Nigerian community in Sudan.

Many other world leaders, including the Secretary of the United Nations, Mr. Ban
Ki Moon and President Mohammed Omar El-Bashir of Sudan witnessed the
celebrations which took place at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba.

The climax of the occasion was the swearing in of His Excellency, Salva Kiir
Mayardit, as the first President of the new Republic as well as the raising of the
new national flag of South Sudan.

With its Declaration of Independence and Statehood, the Republic of South
Sudan has become the 196th country in the World, 193rd member of the UN and
the 55th country in Africa.

President Jonathan and his entourage have since returned to Abuja.

-African Examiner

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