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Southern Sudanese Refugees In Anchorage Celebrate IndependenceThe Republic of South Sudan is now officially its own country after ending decades of civil war between the north and south Sudan.Related Content
On Saturday more than a thousand Anchorage Sudanese refugees took part in a worldwide celebration to commemorate their independence from north Sudan.
Today, the Republic of Sudan officially became the world’s newest country. Hundreds of refugees packed a gym at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Fairview for an all-day celebration, which included the unveiling of the new flag and the new national anthem. “I’m so happy, like I can’t even sleep,” said a Sudanese refugee now living in Anchorage. “We’re going to celebrate all night long.” It’s a celebration that came at a cost: More than 2 million people lost their lives, and 6 million became displaced. The citizens were embroiled in a 50-year civil war fought over religion, ideology, and oil. “The situation was very bad because every week people [would] die,” said Bajek Deng, a leader in the Sudanese community. “Not only the war [caused] people [to] die, because of lack of food, and no medicine.” Sudan’s civil war locked the government-controlled north, occupied by Arabs and Muslims against the oil-rich south that is occupied by mostly Christians. But now southerners are finally free. “We have now rights to say something, to have equal rights in the country, and we are free to practice our religion,” said Deng. The independence was a result of a peace deal made back in 2005 between the north and south, where the south was given a vote to decide whether or not they wanted to become their own country. In January, southerners voted to separate. “It’s now our past, we can move into the future right now,” said Nyanchieh Bichoik, a refugee now living in Anchorage. “So we have to focus on school and to try help one another so we can make our country a better place.” The country will be divided into ten states, and the capital will be Juba. The nation’s first president, Salva Kiir, was officially sworn in on Saturday. |
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Bob said on Saturday, Jul 9 at 11:38 PM
Does that mean they'll be going back to their new nation now ?
70440732Tara1 said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 12:00 AM
Celebrate those that had the fortitude, strength and stayed behind to fight for their country. Those are the one's who deserve a celebration.
70441001K.H. Ibnaouf said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 3:26 AM
It is time for Sudan to live without war .May the human forced to amputate part of his body to keep the remained body healthy
70443026Uduafemhe E. Maxwell, Nigeria. said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 5:02 AM
Kudos to, all the brave people of south sudan. You people were brave, but you now will enjoy fruit of your land in peace. My own country will come to this one day.
70445262Kenyan Korir said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 6:27 AM
In this Historic day of Independence,I wanna wish the people of The Republic of Southern Sudance a lasting PEACE and prosperity. JAH LOVES,YU S SUDAN,JAH LOVES YU THE DINKA..
70448272alaska said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 8:46 AM
I agree with bob, will they be going back to their new Nation now?
70453492jjj said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 12:24 PM
GO HOME NOW PLEASE!!!!!!! most of us do NOT want you here
70460767Kay said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 1:23 PM
No hostilities aimed at these reugees, BUT the United Nations Committee on Refugee Settlement should not be allowed to bring people to our state without our people knowing it and without our permission. We have enough people to take care of in this country, enough bills to pay, and enough problems to deal with. We are glad your new nation has independence from the Muslim assasins that have plagued and urdered you, but now it is time to go home and rebuild your lives in your own nation.
70463178kudos said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 2:51 PM
So yall be heading home now out of Alaska right>???
70466016ghty said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 2:52 PM
what time will your party end? I would like wish you a safe journey home good luck.
70466067Bot w said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 2:54 PM
This reminds me of the refugees from Cuba back in the 70's, out of 25,000 15,000 of those were Cuban prisoners released only to go to the USA. Are we repeating history here???????
70466158JJ said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 3:09 PM
I am not a prejudice person at all, and I am happy for the peoples of Sudan. However, my complaint is that the refugees that have come to AK have been able to get housing and help from our state government that natural born Americans have been deprived of. Our governments are always quick to help others but forget about their own citizens. I know for a fact they have been given housing assistance by AFHC before Americans on the list for a long period of time. This is where your tax dollars are going, it is to help non-Americans while we suffer more job loss and insecurity throughout our country.
70466623-Pete said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 3:17 PM
How long will we have to support these FREE LOADERs? Free Medical, Food Stamps Free Housing like obama's auntie in Chicago along with money to blow. THIS CRAP MAKES ME VERY ANGRY. Now these Freeloaders! These guys are making more money than our Retired Military, Why woul they go home??? Duh!
70466877Mark said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 3:18 PM
Now what! why are they here. should they not be in their country makeing their new government work? OH i guess the spinless liberal think that they can benefit from OUR permanent fund! Jay Hammond is turning over in his grave! with them will come more ruined communities like Mt. View, Sourdoughs remember when Mt. View was a nice community? Think about it
70466932grannie said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 5:46 PM
ah yes, the same comments were made by the puritans when they got here-oh, sorry, they were the invaders. Hmmm, history seems to be repeating itself and I bet that if everyone who left a nasty comment about this, that if there had been immigration laws wayyyyy back then, their ancestors would not have been let in. I wonder if the American Indian, Hawaiians, and Alaskan Native would have shouted to the invaders to go home what would have happened? Oh wait! I do know! Yeah, not much has changed. Welcome people of all color, religion, etc. and for those racists and bigots, if you don't like it here, move to Kentucky where it is over 90% white. Here, let hold the door open for you.
70471403AK said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 6:18 PM
Since you chose to live in the U.S. shouldn't you celebrate the 4th or July? Well, they fled and now since the things are well, it's time to go back, right? Because professional people with graduate education are waiting in line for several years for official visas, and maybe if we stop giving out refuge statuses, more intelligent and educated people would be able to arrive and work hard as any other American.
70472502Kay said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 6:31 PM
Grannie, why should I move to KY? I am an American, and I live in AK. Why should a citizen of this country move to satifsy a refugee from anywhere else? Of course, you could move to Sudan...
70472911keepyourhandsofmymoney said on Sunday, Jul 10 at 7:04 PM
i find it funny how those idiots are dancing in military uniforms here in the good U.S.of A when they should be in their country helping, oh wait these are the COWARDS that the libTARDs at catholic social service brought into anchorage with the tax payers money..oh wait again libTARDs like catholic social service think everyone's money is their money..
70474377cliff said on Monday, Jul 11 at 9:49 AM
so when are they going back to Southern Sudanese or they should start acting like Americans and stop Dancing Because they wanted freemon or leave now and go back to Southern Sudanese
70503537jenny strom said on Monday, Jul 11 at 10:22 AM
The negative comments here make me worry for my country. Our ancestors came to this country for a better life and many were fleeing persecution. Where is the compassion for these people?
70505243jena said on Saturday, Jul 16 at 11:58 AM
God bless you all always and may your journeys in life be much more full of peace and your families be safe.I'm honored as an Amarican that my country has been able to be of help because what goes around comes around and in the end nothing is forgotten.
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