By Michael Arunga (Emergency Communications Advisor – Africa) in Juba.This Saturday, the Republic of South Sudan will become the world’s newest nation. Michael Arunga, World Vision’s Emergency Communications Advisor, has just arrived in the fledgling nation’s capital, Juba.
You don’t have to go far to see evidence of the excitement as Juba prepares for its big day. I arrived here from Nairobi last week and noticed the changes immediately. The streets are clean and litter-free, and colourful banners hang in the streets, loudly announcing the birth of the Republic of South Sudan.
The Juba International Airport even has a brand new luggage security detector (a welcome change for some travel-weary passengers who used to have to empty out their suitcases – underwear and all! – in front of the guards for inspection!)
Commemorative t-shirts emblazoned with the national flag are selling like hot cakes, and international dignitaries are making ...