Author: Wol Mapal | Published: 9 hours ago
Photo credit|Courtesy
President Salva Kiir has paid tribute to millions of South Sudanese civilians and fallen heroes who lost their lives during the country’s decades-long liberation struggle, saying their sacrifices were central to South Sudan’s journey to independence.
Speaking at the 21st Martyrs’ Day commemoration at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum in Juba on Thursday, President Kiir honoured civilians alongside the late SPLM/A founding leader Dr. John Garang de Mabior and fallen SPLA officers and soldiers, saying the country’s freedom was achieved through generations of collective sacrifice.
“On this day, we gather as a nation to pay tribute to heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” President Kiir said.
He said the liberation struggle affected generations of South Sudanese, with many losing their lives before witnessing the birth of the nation.
“The history of our struggle covers generations and, as a result, we lost generations during the liberation. Today, we remember our fallen comrades. Among them is our late leader, Dr. John Garang, alongside all the brave SPLA officers and soldiers who did not live to see the birth of our country,” he said.
The President also recognized the suffering and sacrifices of civilians, whose contributions and losses formed a significant part of the liberation history.
“We also want to honor millions of our civilians who lost their lives and property during the war of liberation. What we remember today is not just a single event; it is a long history of collective sacrifices,” President Kiir said.
He then led mourners in observing a minute of silence in honor of all those who died during the liberation struggle, calling on South Sudanese to preserve the legacy of those who made sacrifices for the country’s freedom.
The commemoration brought together senior government officials, veterans of the liberation struggle, members of the diplomatic corps, religious leaders and citizens at the mausoleum in Juba.
Martyrs’ Day is observed annually on 30 July to honour South Sudanese who died during the liberation struggle. The day also marks the anniversary of the death of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding leader of the SPLM/A, who died in a helicopter crash on 30 July 2005, just three weeks after he was sworn in as the First Vice President of Sudan under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The annual commemoration serves as a national moment of remembrance for the soldiers, civilians and leaders whose sacrifices shaped South Sudan’s path to independence on 9 July 2011.
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