Post Separation Emotions

"A proud flag flies over Juba and the map of the world has been redrawn. These symbols speak to the blood that has been spilled, the tears that have been shed, the ballots that have been cast, and the hopes that have been realized by so many millions of people." 

President Barack Obama

July 9th marked the independence of South Sudan from North Sudan. It still hasn't registered in my brain that when I return to my country next year inshAllah, a part of it will be missing. While the citizens of South Sudan rejoice and celebrate, I remain here wondering, what went wrong? What could have been done? I have had many discussions over the issue and everyone else seems to have already come to terms with the referendum. They have accepted the fact that the North Sudanese and South Sudanese just cannot get along. I understand our culture, religion, ethnicity, etc. was all different, but we still had one common ground...our nation. I was raised in the United States, where I was taught that our differences are what unite us. I was taught that despite the differences in our faith, language, or race, we are all Americans. Tolerance is instilled in me. This makes me wonder why the Sudanese people could not have just learned to get along. The idealist in me wanted to believe that there was still hope for a solution besides separation, but in the end it became clear that the Southern Sudanese had had just had enough. I don't blame them though. I have witnessed first hand the discrimination that they faced and if I were them I wouldn't want to deal with that either. I'm just torn between feeling bad for the Southern Sudanese and feeling bad for my country. I think it's best to just let them go and pursue a nationality of their own. They deserve to feel accepted in their own home..their own land where their people understand them and treat them as equals. A Congratulations is due regardless of how I feel about the situation. 

Two Southern Sudan residents wave flags as they celebrate the independance of the south from the north during a ceremony in the capital Juba on July 09, 2011. South Sudan separated from Sudan to become the world’s newest 193rd nation.

"We join our brothers and sisters in the Republic of South Sudan as they celebrate this milestone in their history. We pray that all categories of people and groups in the new Republic of South Sudan will lay down arms, embrace peace and work towards nation-building. The new Republic of South Sudan should be a model of tolerance and unity in diversity."

Bishops of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA)

Wuor Luk, 28, a Southern Sudanese man who adorned his shaved head with the colors of the Southern Sudan flag and a ‘God Bless Southern Sudan’ scripture on his face smiles during a ceremony celebrating the independence of South Sudan from Sudan in the capital Juba on July 09, 2011.

Northern and Southern officers hug during a farewell party, also held to commemorate the demobilization of 16,000 Southern officers and soldiers serving with the Sudan Defence Force, in Khartoum July 7, 2011. 

I truly love my country and respect this decision to divide it despite my disagreement with the referendum. I hope that South Sudan will prosper as a country and I hope that despite the difficulties that lie ahead of them, they will achieve Success. Everyone deserves to have their own nation that they feel pride and love for. Good luck 

to them!

Photos courtesy of: The Africa they never show you