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Subscribe to RSSWhat makes a nation, other than its people? Is it the flag, the passport, the currency, the anthem? Or is it something more complex and harder to pin down?
In seeking to illustrate the latest in a series of Reuters special reports on the growing pains of South Sudan, photographer Adriane Ohanesian gathered a selection of objects.
Adriane Ohanesian / Reuters
Photo illustrations, clockwise from top left: A South Sudanese passport; A South Sudanese five pound note; A motorcycle license plate from the new nation's Eastern Equatoria State; A copy of South Sudan's national anthem handwritten by Gabriel Arnest, one of its three composers.
Adriane Ohanesian / Reuters
Photo illustrations, clockwise from top left: The South Sudan national soccer team's jersey; A bottle of White Bull beer, produced in Juba; A tote bag with the slogan 'I heart Juba'; A car air freshener showing the seal of South Sudan.
Reuters reports — Not all new countries are really new. Some are born almost fully formed; others have to start from nothing.
Adriane Ohanesian / Reuters
The flag of South Sudan.
That difference is crucial to a new nation's chances of success.
More than half the youngest nations in the world were born or reborn after the collapse of communism in Europe and had existed as independent states as far back as the Middle Ages. Most regained independence with established institutions — courts, banks, police forces, schools — and skilled people to run them.
Interactive: Key measures on the world's newest countries
South Sudan, which gained full independence last year, is at the other end of the spectrum. When it won a measure of autonomy from Sudan in 2005, its roster of organized, national institutions began and ended with its army.
"In the case of South Sudan, you don't reconstruct, you don't rebuild, you start from scratch," Hilde Johnson, the U.N. Secretary General's Special representative for South Sudan, told Reuters. Read the full story.
Related content:
- Blood and oil tinge South Sudan's first birthday
- 120 doctors for 8 million people: South Sudan's health-care gap
- Slideshow: South Sudan declares independence
- More images from South Sudan on PhotoBlog
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I read the link, but I still don't know who that guy is on the dollar bill (5 pound bill). Anyone? Do they have internet access in South Sudan yet?
Also, I have another question; it's about religious tensions there. You see, about thirty years ago a cousin of mine went to Sudan (or maybe it was Somalia) as a Christian missionary. He made many friends. I wonder if it is safe to be a Christian in South Sudan. I'm not trying to make any religious judgement calls here, I'm just wondering.
Hi COinFL, the man on the bank note is John Garang, a political leader of the South Sudanese people before independence. He died in 2005. Here is some information on the notes from the British Museum.
David R Arnott --
Thanks for the reply. I read the link on John Garang, and I learned a little more history today.
No problem. Regarding your question about religion, here is some information from the BBC:
According to a Sudan Radio report in 2011, the country's future president (who is a Christian himself) promised that southern Sudan "shall be a nation that respects religion and abide to international human rights."
I think they might actually be better off starting from scratch. They do not have to deal with the ingrained corruption and elite trying to regain their old positions of power. There is also much more of an appreciation of the new freedoms since they have never had them before. The reemergence of an old nation, such as with many of the former Soviet republics, often brings back the old rivalries and battles for control that existed before they lost their independence whereas a newly gained independence can be a unifying force for all the people.
I'm with JS in SD on this. If the people have to build their nation from the ground up, it will unite them as it did with our forefathers as they had to build the USA after winning independence.
I was so excited about this story after reading the Headlines. My Bad. I thought they were going to rebuild Sudan Kansas starting on the South Side. Gee Whiz, that little town could sure use some international funds too.
South Sudan will emerge as one of Africas Richest and Most Blessed Nations.............
Supposed to be the oldest Continent on earth with the people being the oldest. Go figure they are centuries behind the rest of the world, and are the most violent. Such discoveries that have been such a benefit to mankind that has come from there. I say leave them alone and keep them in the area they now live and let the rest of the world continue on.
Uhhhh... okay. They're in Africa, and South Sudan isn't physically going anywhere. Algeria isn't going anywhere. Pretty sure Mozambique isn't deciding to up and move outside Africa any time soon. So I'm sure the people of those nations will mostly stay where they are, for the most part. And since the world continues relative to any other place in the world... what you said was pretty dumb.
The Key to Success is Education and Military. South Sudan will have to Build Educational Institutions and Educate its Children and the young adults. Also South Sudan will have to Build its Military and make it a strong nation. GOD Bless the South Sudanese.
Kevin Valentine Moraes
Mira Road (Thane)
I wish them all the best. They have endured enough suffering and hardships, and deserve a proper chance to improve their lives.