Charles Pioneson (right) stands in support of an independent southern Sudan state - Photo courtesy of Canada Relief Services Society

The world’s newest country was formed this month, but very few may have noticed. Republic of South Sudan officially seceded from the rest of Sudan after an majority voted for independence in a referendum earlier this year. Although this may seem like an echo of the Arab Spring uprisings in recent months, the Southern Sudanese have been fighting for their freedom for decades.

Charles Pioneson is one such example of someone who has been part of the struggle for South Sudan’s emancipation. Pioneson is the executive director of the Canada Relief Services Society (CRSS) and founder of South Sudan Concern Citizens International (SSCIA).

Pioneson describes growing up in South Sudan as hectic. Coming from a family of activists and rebel fighters, his family has come under attack by the government. But Pioneson hesitates to use the word ‘rebels’ because he says, “they’re what I call people who are…struggling for the freedom of the marginalized.”

Sudan used to be a disparate collection of small independent kingdoms before Egypt unified the country, which eventually culminated in a joint Anglo-Egyptian rule in the late 19th century. Sudan’s independence from Anglo-Egyptian forces came about on January 1, 1956. Since then, the country has been caught in a series of civil wars.

The particular conflict involving the north and the south has been going on for much of the past half-century. It is often portrayed as a religious war between the Arab Muslim-dominated north that runs the government, and the largely Christian and animist south. There are also tensions involving economic inequality, ethnic discrimination and human rights abuses.

Pioneson advocated for peace and people’s rights as an activist in South Sudan. He says he doesn’t remember when exactly he started doing advocacy work. Pioneson has always been in that type of environment, largely because of his father’s influence, but he does recall the dire conditions of the Ugandan refugee camps, while at the same time acknowledging and thanking the Ugandan government for accepting refugees.

“The situation was horrible…it was like a detention camp,” says Pioneson. “In the camp, food was limited, there was no chance of employment, and you needed a permit to get out of the camp. If the permit expired while you were still outside of the camp, you wouldn’t be allowed back in.”

Pioneson eventually came to Canada in 2004 through the help of an Israeli human rights organization whose name he doesn’t want to mention.

“I’m very happy and proud of them. I’m proud of the Canadian government for accepting peace and people whose voices have been silent because I [didn’t] have freedom,” he says.

January of this year saw South Sudan hold a referendum on whether to secede or reunite with the north, as outlined in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the SPLA and the government of Sudan, which was designed to end the civil war. Nearly 99% of the voters voted for a sovereign state. Pioneson echoes the current optimism surrounding the south.

“I believe in 40 years…South Sudan will change, will be more democratic, there will be [respect for] human rights,” he says. But he provides some cautionary advice for the incoming president, Salva Kiir Mayardit. “[He] is a president of peace, but he has to take advice from the people. The only way to bring peace to South Sudan is [by] allowing freedom…the government, employment system must be inclusive,” he says.

Pioneson also remains thankful to the Canadian government.  “I want to thank the government of Canada who help[ed] the refugees. Now they’re good citizens and giving back to the people.”

For more information on South Sudan or for volunteer/donation purposes, contact Canada Relief Services Society.