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October 4, 2012 (JUBA) - South Sudan Vice, Riek Machar on Monday warned South Sudanese living in the United States to desist from engaging in criminal acts, and instead work hard in order to reverse the alarming rate of crimes they allegedly commit in the country.
- South Sudan’s vice president, Riek Machar (Reuters)
A number of South Sudanese, unconfirmed reports say, are among several immigrants currently being held for various crimes in US detention centers.
“You ran away from the war in Sudan years back, there is no reason for you to make trouble in this country. Americans have received you with open arms. But, if you are committing crimes, [then] you are disappointing the Americans who are working hard to help you,” he said.
“The American people supported our struggle. Without the United States, we might not be here today,” he added.
The Vice President, according to a statement, toured the states of Phoenix, Arizona and Texas, where he reportedly met over 1,500 South Sudanese residing there.
Machar, in his address to the various South Sudanese communities urged them to support the African Union and the international community for helping bring South Sudan and Sudan to the negotiating table after border clashes between the two nearly triggered a full-blow war.
However, both countries, on 27 September, inked a deal on oil, security, banking system, border, citizenship and trade related matters that could pave way for resumption of South Sudan’s oil production, which was halted early this year.
The agreements, signed by South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and his Sudanese counterpart, Omar Al-Bashir, under the facilitation of the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), excluded the issue of the disputed Abyei region.
INVEST IN EDUCATION
Meanwhile, Machar as part of his visit, appealed to his fellow South Sudanese to work hard and invest in education for their children.
“You may not have the better chance to fulfill your educational dreams, but if you motivate your children to go to school, they will be able to achieve more,” said the Vice President.
“This country is where you can realize your potentials, and if you can’t do it yourself, you make sure you expose your children to education. They have far better chances to succeed in America,” he added.
Machar, during his tour, also encouraged South Sudanese in the US not to despise manual jobs, which he said could generate incomes that will better their lives and ensure their children attain good education.
He further urged South Sudanese living in the diaspora to return to the new nation and be part of the country’s nation-building process.
South Sudan seceded from Sudan in July last year, after its population overwhelmingly opted for separation in a self-determination referendum. The vote was a key part of the 2005 Comprehensive peace accord, which ended a two decade civil war between north and South Sudan.
(ST)
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