How has your country been faring since gaining independence on July 9, 2011?
We have to give thanks to God first, then all the nations for the support and cooperation. During our independent celebration we received not less than 159 states. Let me also on behalf of my country commend Nigeria for its efforts in bringing peace to the two countries-South Sudan and Sudan. I recall the two meetings we had in Abuja and the efforts of Nigeria to bring a lasting solution to the conflicts between the two countries which continued until when we met in 2005 in Kenya and reached a comprehensive peace agreement. Without the contribution of Nigeria, we would not have reached this wonderful stage where we have an independent South Sudan State. Nigeria has been playing a major role in bringing peace to the continent not only as the giant of Africa but because it felt the Sudanese are brothers. We are also grateful to IGAD, ECOWAS, Nomadic countries and the African Union which championed the whole thing. To answer your question; since we got independence, we have invested on security because without security investors will not come to South Sudan. If you come to South Sudan today you will see a lot of investors including Nigerians who have come to invest. The second thing is education; without education there is no progress in human development. We have also built hospitals for our people because we believe ‘health is wealth.’ We have embarked on aggressive agriculture. Although we have oil, our first priority is agriculture. We have 10 states in South Sudan. Of these states, nine are grossly involved in agriculture. Apart from these, we have so many mineral resources which we have not used. We have a very good investment policy which has attracted so many people including our brothers from Nigeria. So, our government started on a correct footing.
What is the state of bilateral ties with Nigeria?
Actually, our bilateral ties are diplomatic which is based on ambassadorial level. But we are working very hard to ensure that we relate on ministerial level where we can sign a bilateral relationship. This will pave the way for signing of agreements between the two countries. After the formation of government in South Sudan, we will be pushing for these objectives because we have a lot to benefit from Nigeria and we want Nigeria to also benefit from the South Sudan.
Of recent, our president sacked his cabinet including the vice-president. We are not the first country to change ministers; it happens everywhere. Our change is peaceful because it was the demand of the public. President Salva Kiir was elected by the people and the people felt the government was corrupt. So, he sacked his cabinet. He wants to bring those who can really deliver. He is interested in service to the people because the people suffered for long during the war. We need those who are genuine and sincere so we felt these people should be sacked based on the demand of the people. He is going to form a new government, which he has started by appointing a new Minister of Foreign Affairs. The rest of the members will be known soon.
Did the dissolution of the cabinet by President Kiir suggest a new political tension?
The vice-president may want to contest against the President in the next election; that is his democratic right. The president may also have the intention to continue; that is also his right. I am not saying that this is the situation because it is still early. We are not going to have elections until after two years. The vice-president may want to form his own party and prepare himself from now: that is his choice. On our National Day, on July 8, the President said, ‘My brother is challenging the government while he is a member. So, if we are corrupt, he is also corrupt. I asked him why not step aside and let this corruption continue. He didn’t do it. So, I relieved him so that he can speak loudly and can correct the government.’ The vice-president has the intention to contest and the president is ready for a challenge. That is their democratic rights; that should not bring any quarrel at all. Both of them will contest and one of them will win. The people will make their choice based on the manifesto presented by the candidates.
Is the country really safe now for investments?
The first objective of a government is security. We have now achieved 90 per cent of security target except in one state called Jonglei. Another area, Abyei, which is not a state, is a keenly contested area between the Sudan and South Sudan. But we are going to have a referendum in October to decide whether it should be for the north or for the south. The area is already demarcated by international tribunal. So, if people decided and opted for the north that will be allowed and if it is south, then it would be. The land is ready for investors. If you enter our capital, Juba, you will see this. I was away for six months but when I went back to Juba, I was astonished with the level of development. I was very happy. There are so many hotels and other infrastructure. If a government has a clear policy, it will attract investors. If you come and invest in South Sudan, we will not impose tax on you for the first four years. If we see that you are not yet strong, we give you another four years until we make sure you are okay. This has attracted a lot of investors. Another thing is that if a foreign investor has made so much money and he wants to bring it to Nigeria, we will help him to bring it. But don’t bring it the wrong way. If you try to bring the money the wrong way, you will lose all the money. If you come into South Sudan as an investor, you will be given a national partner. There will be an agreement between the investor and the national partner on how to share profit. The national partner will be age mate of the foreign investor. He (national partner) will be your eye and guide. We have done it and it was successful. It has attracted a lot of investors. If you want to register your company, you will get your licence within five days. Our environment is also friendly. Another thing giving assurances to our foreign investors is that our people have high moral value.
What is the place of women in your country?
Women are accorded a special place. It is women who are championing the change in the country. Sixty-five per cent of our population is women. Women are more honest and careful in their work. They are big motivators in our struggle and big helpers during the war. President Kiir has established a commission for widows and children of the martyrs. Government is paying for their education. The president has also called on governors to give land to the widows so as to build their own houses. This is because women are great. They carry us in their wombs for nine months; fathers cannot do that.
What are the business areas open to investments?
We have lot of business opportunities which can be exploited to lift millions of our impoverished people out of poverty. We have oil and gas in two states. We produce 300,000 barrels a day. We have oil in Kapoeta, Lakes states and Warrap. These are areas we are yet to exploit. We also have in Abyei which has not been explored because of tension between us and the north.
Agriculture: We have more than 12 million herds of cattle in South Sudan. We have uranium, gold, copper and zinc. These are yet to be utilised.
Education: Although we have government schools, we need private sector in this area. There is need for capacity building in IT training and lots of other areas like transport, banking and financing, infrastructure development, housing, tourism, health, pharmaceutical and surgical industries. All these are open to local investment. We have the richest man in Africa, (Aliko) Dangote, who wants to open a cement factory in Kapoeta. The process is ongoing. If someone like Dangote comes there, I am sure everyone will go there. The only area we are working on is the aviation sector because we still don’t have a direct flight to Juba. You have to go to Egypt or Ethiopia to connect a flight to Juba. I am working hard to convince Arik to have a direct flight from Abuja to Juba. That will make it easy for our investors to travel to South Sudan. Our people are very happy. All the time they want to go home. I am also happy to tell you that later this month, the Nigerian First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, will travel to South Sudan to visit her sister, Madam Mary-the wife of President Kiir to raise funds to help the children of South Sudan. President Goodluck Jonathan was in our country when we celebrated our Independence Day.
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