Jonglei State celebrating South Sudan Independence Day

July 9, 2012 (BOR) -- Thousands of people gathered in Bor, the capital of Jonglei state to mark the first anniversary of South Sudan where calls for unity, peace and development dominated speeches and poem presented.

Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk says this day reminds the people of South Sudan of challenges ahead.

"This is the day we tell ourselves, 'What do we do after this'?" said governor Juuk.

Many schools, tribal groups, artists and civil societies performed entertaining songs and calls for action to changing the face of South Sudan.

Jonglei state is celebrating the first year of South Sudan anniversary with leaders praising the improvement in security in recent mouths.

The head of strong 15,000 armed forces carrying out disarmament in Jonglei state, Lt. Gen. Kuol Diem says only six cases of cattle raids or child abduction were reported in June, 2012. Gen. Diem efforts to completely stop any insecurity posed by armed civilians are being continuously improved as army moves from one village to another looking for guns.

Governor Juuk outlined achievement made in the first year year of South Sudan as improvement of road connections, school enrollment and security in Jonglei state.

Listen to part of speech of Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk.