South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya Michael Majok Ayom Dor said on Tuesday that over three-quarters of South Sudanese returned home in the wake of country’s independence.
Majok said most refugees decided to go back home in order to help in the reconstruction of their country after two decades of civil war against their northern neighbours that saw them flee their country.
“I believe that eventually they will all go back given the changed circumstances of the region,” the Ambassador said in Nairobi.
“For those South Sudanese who feel strongly attached to Kenya, they can take advantage of the clause in our constitution that guarantees dual citizenship and apply and they will receive equal rights like other South Sudanese,” Majok said.
He said Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya still held the highest number of South Sudanese refugees, with the figure standing at 6,000 whereas Nakuru and Eldoret towns have a cumulative number of 7,000 refugees, but who were not staying in any camp.
Majok assured Kenyans and other nationalities to South Sudan that their security will be guaranteed, saying there are many opportunities that can be exploited in Africa’s newest state.
“As a new country, we want to build relations with every country, both regionally and internationally and this requires a lot of effort. We invite investors in different fields to venture into South Sudan and take part in the transformation of the country in various fields.”
He assured investors of security from the South Sudan Government while naming road network, power transmission, health services, education, cultural promotion, information technology, housing, and water and wildlife conservation as among the areas where there were awesome opportunities.
Nuer and Dinka are the two largest language groups of South Sudanese living in Denison; English is used as the principal language when people from other language groups are present, with an exception for special music.
Denison Baptist Church Pastor Marc Wallace hosted the event and opened the meeting with a sermon from the Word of God and spoke on “The Four Biblical Principals of a Healthy and Growing Community.”
Wallace shared that he “felt very humbled when he began walking toward the podium to speak (and) a group of women from Storm Lake stood up and began to sing in Nuer. Then without hesitation, everyone present followed suit, stood and began singing, welcoming (me) and the preaching of the Word of God. Pastor Rankin…was honored in a very similar way when he walked to the podium to give a greeting to the Sudanese community.”
Gony has been living in Omaha, Nebraska, but due to his new appointment in the new government of South Sudan, he and his family will be moving to Juba, Sudan, the Capital of South Sudan.
Gony spoke, sharing about the changes that have occurred in South Sudan and the rebuilding process. He invited the community to wait until they finished with their education in the United States before returning to South Sudan to help rebuild, train and equip people.
South Sudan has designed a flag for their new country and Gony took some time to address questions about the flag from the group gathered at the church. The colors of the flag are black, which stands for the people; red, which represents the blood shed by martyrs for their country; white is for peace; green is for the country, itself, which is rich in agriculture and minerals; and blue is for the waters of the River Nile, which gives life.
Gony emphasized that the single gold star in the middle of the triangle represents the Star of Bethlehem as South Sudan is a Christian nation. Additionally, the symbol represents the unity of the states as one people, he said.
Michael Lindi, who has received a master’s degree and has been teaching at the university level in the United States, shared about the history of Sudan.
A final speaker told the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan who became orphaned during the war. The northern military raided villages and killed the villagers. The young boys in Sudan traditionally cared for livestock so when the raids occurred, they were out with their animals so were left orphaned. Some of the young men died wandering in the desert, others were captured by militant forces that taught them to fight, and others found safe haven in refugee camps.
Many of the Sudanese have experienced a very traumatic life prior to coming to the United States. It was not uncommon for them to spend years in a refugee camp in crowded conditions. With so many people living in such crowded conditions, many adults were left without any active employment. Children were unable to attend schools unless a teacher was available and a makeshift school could be set up. Food and personal supplies were supplied by relief agencies. Life and sustenance was dependent upon the kindness and generosity of many countries, not-for-profit agencies, and volunteers.
Majok Kel Gawech, president of the Denison Sudanese community, invited all in attendance to partake in a meal prepared by the local Sudanese at the conclusion of the meeting.
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