South Sudanese from throughout the country and the world came together on July 9 in the capital city of Juba to celebrate the birth of the new nation, the Republic of South Sudan. Independence day comes 6 years after the signing of a peace agreement that ended two decades of civil war between the Arab-dominated north and the predominantly African and Christian people of the south, a war that cost more than 2 million lives. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, met with President of South Sudan Salva Kiir on Sunday to congratulate him and encourage him in prayer and Godly counsel as he leads this new nation. Samaritan’s Purse will continue to work in Sudan and South Sudan to help meet physical and spiritual needs and to demonstrate God’s love to the people of both nations.
President of South Sudan Salva Kiir speaks at the Independence Day ceremony on July 9, promising his people a government committed to freedom for all.
Choirs sing the national anthem of South Sudan at the Independence Day ceremony. Part of the lyrics include: “Oh God! We praise and glorify You for Your grace on South Sudan; Land of great abundance, uphold us united in peace and harmony.”
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, met with President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir on Sunday–the day after South Sudan celebrated its independence as a new nation. Franklin Graham presented him a cross, just like the ones we have placed on more than 430 churches Samaritan’s Purse has built across northern and southern Sudan.
After generations of families have suffered through decades of civil war, freedom comes to South Sudan, giving hope and peace for the future.
