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South Sudanese Community Greatly Contributes to the Many of the Australia South Sudanese Diaspora Have Lived Experiences Betterment of Australian Society

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South Sudanese Community Greatly Contributes to the Many of the Australia South Sudanese Diaspora Have Lived Experiences Betterment of Australian Society SOUTH SUDAN Migration to Australia 4,105 2,158 INTRODUCTION HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF MIGRATION 886 362 14 The Republic of South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan in South Sudan gained independence after decades of war. There are 3 2011. South Sudan is a country with one of the richest agricultural land generations of South Sudanese who have scarcely experienced peace. in Africa, supporting 10-20 million head of cattle. The country has one To understand today’s South Sudan, it is useful to trace back its history 1951- 1961- 1971- 1981- 1991- 2001- 2006- 2011- After of the world’s largest wetlands, the Sudd, a vast swamp area formed by from colonial time. In 1870 the colony of Equatoria (comprising of what the White Nile in the north central region of South Sudan. During the is most of today’s South Sudan) was established by Samuel Baker in 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2016 2016 rainy season, the wetlands can reach 15% of the country’s total area CIA the name of the Ottoman Khedive of Egypt who claimed the territory. Other Other Other Other Other (2020.a). In 1899, after the Mahdist War, Equatoria was made a state under the country of country of country of country of country of Anglo-Egyptian condominium. During the following decades, Christian migration migration migration migration migration South Sudan is also abundant in natural resources, such as gold, silver, missionaries converted a large part of the population and facilitated the Kenya, Uganda, Uganda, Kenya, Uganda, zinc, limestone, iron ore, copper, and oil. The government of South Sudan spread of English, while North Sudan was predominantly Muslim and Ethiopia Kenya, Kenya, Ethiopia Kenya, Ethiopia Ethiopia, Ethiopia, is heavily relying on oil for its budget revenue, thus making the country Arabic speaking. Sudan Sudan one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world. Despite its natural resources, the several decades of confl ict with Sudan have crippled the Until 1947, Equatoria was ruled separately from what is today’s Sudan 1955- First First Sudanese 1972- First 1983- Second 1999- Oil 2002- A 2006 – 2011 2011 – 2018 – development of South Sudan. Poverty and food security are a major (North Sudan). The unifi cation of the two colonies was part of the British Sudanese Civil Civil War Sudanese Sudanese Civil exports from ceasefi re Period of Agreement on issue that have bedevilled the population of South Sudan for many plan to prepare the region for independence. However, in 1956 when Referendum War begins. ongoing Civil War ends War begins Sudan Starts. is agreed autonomy Independence outstanding decades long before the independence. This situation is compounded Sudan became an independent republic, southerners’ expectations’ to (Addis Ababa between Sudan declared on issues on with poor and underdeveloped infrastructure. Albeit there is a growing fully participate in the political system were denied. The unrest escalated 1956- Sudan Agreement) government government and presence of China in the development of the infrastructure and energy into two wars (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) during which it is estimated gains its and the security. Sudan’s People 2013 – Internal sector in the country, only 2% of the roads are paved, electricity is still that 2.5M civilians died due to starvation and drought. independence. 1978- Oil was confl ict between mostly produced by diesel generators. Indoor plumbing and potable discovered in Liberation Army. The pro and anti- water are also scarce. Approximately 90% of consumable goods, capital, Across the world, South Sudan’s independence in 2011 sparked the Bentiu (part of government South Sudan) Machakos and services are imported from neighbouring countries, mainly Uganda, hopes and expectations of the South Sudanese diaspora. It was an Protocol ended factions. Kenya, and Sudan. exciting moment. Many people either decided to return to South Sudan the civil war. to contribute building the country or decided to organise themselves 2015 – South Sudan has a population of 10,561,244 million people CIA (2020.a). in the host country to support the development of South Sudan. The 2005 Agreement on Demographically it is one of the youngest populations in the world, with insurgence of new internal confl ict in 2013 and the continued state Comprehensive the resolution of an average age of 18 years old. The social landscape is extraordinarily of unrest, has greatly impacted South Sudanese who saw their hope Peace the confl ict complex and diverse. South Sudan is the home of over 60 different remaining unfulfi lled. Agreement 2016 (April) ethnic groups, which can be grouped into six main clusters defi ned by a – Transitional host of ethnic, historical, and linguistic factors. These groups are Nilotic government of (native to the White Nile region), Central Sudanic, Nilo (Hamid, Bari- National Unity speaking), Zande and Anyuak people. The Nilotic people are the biggest ethnic group in South Sudan – Dinka and Nuer both belong to the Nilotic 2016 (June) – ethnic group. Confl ict in Juba Understanding the complexity and diversity of the South Sudanese social landscape is essential to comprehend the cultural background, traditions, and dynamics between different groups in South Sudan and within the diaspora. The population of South Sudan, despite ethnic diversity, has always treated each other with respect and bounded together during the South’s liberation war. However, the civil war that started after the secession of the South from Sudan carries an ethnic undertone in the political struggle and in various regions across the country. People’s attachment to their own ethnic background and views on South Sudan ethnic divisions varies from time to time and is based on personal experience and political affi liation. This community profi le is making an attempt to understand why South Sudanese people became in 2019 the 4th largest group of refugees in the world with 2.2M people fl eeing the country (UNHCR 2020)while showing diaspora’s relentless effort to build a peaceful country. 1 DFAT – Accurate statistical data of ethnicity in Afghanistan are not availabledue to the sensitivity of the subject. 2 Twitter, https://bit.ly/3iqTL51 DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND PRIORITIES According to the 2016 Census there are 7,699 South Sudan-born in Language The South Sudanese diaspora is active supporting its members in Sudanese diaspora in Australia has to deal with their day-to-day issues, Australia and overseas, particularly given how dire the humanitarian fi nancial commitments, e.g. house mortgage, rent, schooling, day-to-day Australia1. Out of the 300 different ancestries reported by Australians At the time of the Census, the main languages spoken at home by South crisis is in South Sudan. Agriculture in South Sudan is mostly substance living etc and many also face diffi culties adjusting to life in Australia. in the last Census, 10,755 responses were towards South Sudanese Sudan-born people in Australia were Dinka (3,901), Arabic (1,565) and farming, and it is also subject to fl oods in the White Nile region and South Sudanese youth also suffer mental anguish due to negative droughts in other parts of the country. In 2017, famine was declared images portrayed by Australian media. They also suffer from reconciling ancestry. Nuer (565). in parts of South Sudan (UN News 2017). Food insecurity and the self-identity confl icts. The impact can be seen in the hardship many well Of the 7,333 South Sudan-born who spoke a language other than English prolonged confl ict are forcing millions of people to leave seeking refuge educated South Sudanese youth face when seeking employment. Structure by age at home, 84.4% spoke English very well or well, and 14.0% spoke English in neighbouring countries like Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. not well or not at all. However, the South Sudanese community greatly contributes to the Many of the Australia South Sudanese diaspora have lived experiences betterment of Australian society. The South Sudanese Community of the confl ict and share strong cultural ties with the people still living Association in Victoria Inc. submission to this inquiry, highlights some of 0-14 years 6.0% in South Sudan or other host countries. Family bonds run deep between the community contribution and raises the communities’ key concerns South Sudanese and extend to the whole clan. However, the heavy with regards to the community in Australia. Legal Status burden placed on diaspora in Australia is also the cause of fi nancial and 15-24 years 19.6% physical distress. As the situation worsens in South Sudan, the request for help increases along with diaspora’s concerns for the safety and security of their family members. 25-34 years 29.6% 2 The 2016 Census shows: HOW SOUTH SUDANESE DIASPORA HELP 35-44 years 25.9% Family to family 75.1% of people born in South Sudan are Australian citizens. 45-54 years 13.7% Families in Australia cannot look the other way when their family There are few clinics and hospitals in South Sudan, diaspora help with members in South Sudan live in such dire situation. medical costs when a family member needs a medical procedure. Often 55-64 years 3.8% the extended family fundraise with members in other countries, such as Financial support is provided to ensure that people have food and the US and other countries so the person can go to Sudan or another shelter. Many helps with children schooling, often in other countries such country to get treated. 65+ years 1.4% as Uganda and Kenya. Education Level* Community to Community 14.3% 18.5% Community to community help relies on members donations and There are also other initiatives that are not solely reliant on fundraising.
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