WHAT AWAITS AFRICA'S NEWEST NATION?

Free at last! After almost a two-decade civil war,a struggle for liberation and an agitation for self-rule, Southern Sudan is now a nation reborn.

But what awaits the newest  nation in the global map?Has it yet  liberated itself from the murkiness of its dark past?Will it live to its dreams?

These are some of the numerous questions on the monumental task ahead of post-conflict reconstruction that awaits the leadership that takes over.

After attaining their independence in early 1960s,most African freedom fighters in their newly independent countries were fully optimistic that after edging out their colonial masters,they would reap the benefits of their countries' resource endowments  as they had full confidence on the homegrown leadership  in their countries.

Many of these leaders,who themselves weer leading nationalists had the support of their citizens.The countries had tattered economies owing to the destruction that had been caused by the liberation struggle.But this joy and optimism was short-lived.

These post-independence leaders turned from democrats to tyrants,from selfless statesmen nad respected nationalists to gluttonous master minders  and plunderers of their countries' fragile economies.Some became even murderers as they often detained those who criticized their  authoritarian leaderships as well as ordering controversial assassinations of their critics.

Southern Sudan is no different. Entangled in the ongoing Abyei conflict,the rush of the world's leading superpowers(China and the US) to control the oil-rich Abyei region,strained diplomatic relations with Uganda and Northern Sudan,Erittea's inordinate act of supporting the rebels opposing the Southern Sudan government among other numerous challenges,a very principled leadership  with sound diplomatic,social,political and economic-oriented policies is needed.

The leadership that takes over is greatly tasked with leading an enormous task of post-conflict reconstruction in order to make the people's dreams alive for the newly born republic.The Salva Kiir's led leadership must endeavour to resist all pressures that may sink this new republic into yet another new abyss of divided neo-colonial inclinations.

It is such divided inclinations to certain world's powers within a third world country that mothers all her socio-political and economic woes.This as  clearly seen when newly independent African countries were either forced to adopt capitalistic or socialist ideologies.This led to the ever unending internal conflicts within them,most of which had ramifications which are rife even today.

The leadership must adopt and uphold the real principles of participatory democracy where all the conflicting communities must be constituted in the national government to avert the emergence of new internal rebellions.

The diplomatic relations within Northern Sudan,dominated by Arabs is a very critical issue   that is the key determinant of the South's stable political future.

A homegrown solution over the Abyei region is the best.Regional neighbours like Kenya and other IGAD-member countries must continue to act as a watchdog  as this newest nation matures to solve its own problems.The vision that the late Dr.John Garang had for his people should not  be lost lost indeed fulfilled.

Let the dingy past fade away and look to a fulfilling future.Let the once hotbed of civil unrest be an oasis of peace,prosperity and hope for its people.We wish you well,the new republic.May you live your dreams.

Wanderi wa Kamau,

Egerton University,Nakuru.