[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 105 (Friday, July 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTH SUDAN'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 13, 2012

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, Monday marked the anniversary of South Sudan's 
independence. The people of that war-weary nation voted overwhelmingly 
to break from Khartoum which is headed by an indicted war criminal.
  The challenges facing this fledgling nation are sizeable, including 
government corruption. A June AP story reported on President Salva 
Kiir's efforts to secure the return of an estimated $4 billion in 
stolen funds. Kiir wrote, ``We fought for freedom, justice and equality 
. . . Yet, once we got to power, we forgot what we fought for and began 
to enrich ourselves at the expense of our people.'' These are sobering 
but necessary words.
  South Sudan's transition to independence has been undermined by their 
murderous neighbor to the north--Bashir. He's driven thousands of 
refugees from the Nuba Mountains into South Sudan.
  And the Obama administration has done little to thwart him.
  We must stand with our friends in the South as they seek to establish 
a healthy democracy and we must bring Bashir to justice.

                          ____________________