The Republic of South Sudan: A Message of Hope and Remembrance

Dear fellow South Sudanese,

Today, we mark 14 years since we raised our flag high and declared to the world that we are free. But true freedom is not just about independence; it is about peace, unity, and building a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by generations before us.

On this day, I invite you all to reflect on our long journey, remember our painful history, and renew our hope for the future. Let us stand with our President, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and our leaders, urging them to stay on the trail of peace, security, and nation-building without turning back.

May we, the citizens, do our part to keep our country together and keep the flame of hope burning in every heart.
Read this message, share it, discuss it, let it remind us that South Sudan will rise above its struggles if we choose unity over conflict and hope over despair.

Happy 14th Independence Anniversary!

Long live South Sudan! 🇸🇸

THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

Introduction

Today, on this historic day, the 9th of July 2025, we stand together to mark the 14th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan. This is not just another date on our national calendar; it is the day when the resilient spirit of our people triumphed over decades of oppression, injustice, and suffering to reclaim the freedom that is the birthright of every South Sudanese.

A Brief Historical Reflection

For centuries, our land was part of the Nilotic, Cushitic, Nubian, and Sudanese civilisations; ancient territories that are deeply woven into Biblical History. The mighty Nile, the kingdoms of Cush and Sudan, are repeatedly mentioned in scripture, reminding us of the historic significance of our soil.

The Roman Empire reached North Africa, but never pierced the heart of the Nile basin. It was only later that foreign adventurers, the Ottoman Empire, and European colonisers intruded into our lands. From 1820 to 1885, Sudan was ruled by the Ottomans. From 1885 to 1898, the Mahdist State rose and fell. The British-Egyptian forces reconquered Sudan in 1898, abolishing the slave trade and establishing the Condominium government that ruled Sudan and Southern Sudan, until 1956.

Yet, for Southern Sudan, true freedom remained elusive. From 1946 to 2011, Khartoum ruled the South as an internal colony. The torch of resistance burned bright from the Torit Mutiny in 1955 to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the historic referendum in which nearly 99% of our people chose freedom and independence.

On 9 July 2011, the Republic of South Sudan was born; not gifted, but earned through 191 years of sacrifice and defiance.

Congratulations to the President and the People

On this remarkable occasion, we extend our warmest congratulations to His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic, for steering the nation through turbulent waters and keeping the flag of freedom aloft, despite immense challenges. We also congratulate all the people of South Sudan, at home and abroad, whose enduring spirit and sacrifices continue to keep our nation alive.

Your Excellency, we recognise your tireless efforts to hold this fragile nation together in the face of adversity. We encourage you, together with your government and all our leaders, to persevere and stay firmly rooted on the trail of hope, peace, security, and reconciliation.

A Call to Keep the Trail

Let this anniversary renew our commitment to push forward without deviation; to reject division and conflict, to silence the guns, to put an end to senseless bloodshed, and to build a nation that stands as an example of African resilience and unity.

May our leaders hear the cries of our people: the mothers who want their children safe, the youth who want opportunities, the elders who dream of leaving behind a nation better than the one they inherited. Let us, all together, resist the forces of corruption, hatred, and division that seek to pull us apart and backwards.

Conclusion

As we celebrate this day, let us remember that independence was only the beginning; the foundation on which we must now build a nation of dignity, prosperity, and peace. May we raise our voices not just to remember the struggles of the past, but to remind ourselves and the world that South Sudan will not fail; because we, her sons and daughters, will not allow her to fail.

May God bless President Salva Kiir Mayardit. May our leaders hear the cries of our people: the mothers who want their to prosper in peaceful deliberations.