South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has called for economic independence
and government accountability during a speech marking the nation's
one-year anniversary of independence.
In his comments, Mr. Kiir said he wanted to assure the citizens of South
Sudan, as well as international investors, that his country would not
tolerate corruption.
He urged the international community to continue helping South Sudan, as
it struggles with poverty and the effects of its struggles with
neighboring Sudan.
“In
all of this, I ask the international community stays with us. We are a
new country and they should not just abandon us because we are
independent. The commitment we showed in creating our nation is the same
commitment we will show in developing it. We are under no illusions as
to the scale of what we must achieve and so the international community
should not doubt our determination to achieve it.”
South Sudan broke away from Sudan following a referendum that was part
of a 2005 peace deal. The agreement ended a 21-year north-south civil
war.
The countries still have disputes over borders and oil revenue that
flared into fighting earlier this year.
