“South Sudan Vision 2040: Towards freedom, equality, justice, peace and prosperity for all”
Objective of the Vision
To ensure that by 2014 South Sudan is a united and peaceful new nation, building strong foundations for
good governance, economic prosperity and enhanced quality of life for all.
This can be achieved through
• Improving governance;
• Achieving rapid rural transformation to improve livelihoods and expand employment
opportunities;
• Improving and expanding education and health services; and
• Deepening peace building and improving security
Pillars of the Vision
The vision is founded on seven pillars: educated and informed nation; prosperous, productive and
innovative nation; free, just and peaceful nation; democratic and accountable nation; safe and secure
nation; united and proud nation; and compassionate and tolerant nation.
Educated and informed nation
On education, the government recognizes that the education system literally crumbled during the
liberation struggle. The government also understands that historically, Southern Sudanese have never had
a favourable education system. Both the colonial and Khartoum-based governments have only focused
on providing elementary education in Southern Sudan which was merely aimed at producing junior
government officers. Furthermore, the education system was not sensitive to the cultural contexts and
needs of Southern Sudanese. The government also recognizes the fact that human capital is critical for
the development of any nation. The vision is that by 2040, Southern Sudan will have quality education
system that prepares its youth to cope effectively with the emerging challenges of the dynamic global
environment. This education system will be characterized by its relevance, quality and accessibility; and
will apply the latest information technology in expanding and enriching the learning experience.
Prosperous, productive and innovative nation
The vision is to transform the country to an economic powerhouse in which all members of the society
play their honest part in the “baking” and sharing of the national cake. This vision will be achieved
through the creation of a diversified economy driven by agriculture, industry, mining, manufacturing,
tourism and services. The vision recognizes the role of all segments of the population including women,
youth and communities synergized through appropriate partnerships. The vision is to generate sizable
GDP and achieve full employment scenario in which the number of jobs available in the formal and
informal sectors is equal to the number of the citizens seeking employment. It is also envisaged that by
2040, all Southern Sudanese will have obtained access to good quality basic shelter either in rural or
urban setups.
Free, just and peaceful nation
The vision recognizes that the lack of freedom, equality and justice are some of the factors which drove
the people of Southern Sudan to war. The people fought with the single determination to liberate the
nation from the deliberate deprivation of these rights and midwife a just and tranquil society. These rights
and aspirations are now enshrined in the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan which seeks to guarantee
the rights of all citizens. This vision will seek to entrench and perpetuate a tranquil environment in which
freedom, equality, justice and peace thrives.
Democratic and accountable nation
A cardinal tenet of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the vision of the New Sudan is
democratic transformation of the country. This will entail the mainstreaming of democratic practices and
processes which enjoin the active participation of the citizens in determining their destiny. The vision
identifies some of the hallmarks of democracy as decentralization of institutions; regular, free and fair
multiparty elections; as well as widening of the democratic space in which all citizens can enjoy their
civic rights. The vision is to nurture a Southern Sudan which will have developed morally, ethically
upright and educated society matched by exceptional leadership that provides a role model for the
younger generation.
Safe and secure nation
Citizens cannot be free if they don’t feel secure in their own country. The vision asserts that true freedom
can only be realized if the country is protected from internal and external aggression. By 2040, it is
envisioned that Southern Sudan will have established a crime-free society where all forms of crime and
illegal possession of firearms as well as drug addiction will be eliminated. It is also envisaged that the
law enforcement forces will be trained, strengthened and professionalized appropriately to win sufficient
confidence of the citizens. Due to the increasing incidence of natural and other disasters, the vision
recognizes disaster preparedness and management as a critical component of security. It is envisaged
that by 2040, relevant institutions and procedures will be in place to anticipate, prevent and manage the
consequences of natural and manmade disasters.
United and proud nation
The vision underscores the fact that the people of Southern Sudan have been marginalized for many
years. It also recognizes the fact that all people of Southern Sudan played a role in the liberation struggle
regardless of their ethnicity and domicile with the conviction that their common freedom and aspirations
could not be achieved otherwise. The vision seeks to facilitate further integration so that by 2040 the
country will have a united citizenry who though may be from diverse cultural or religious backgrounds
are patriotic and proud to share a common heritage, national pride and desire for peaceful coexistence.
This will be demonstrated by mutual respect and widespread use of the flag and other symbols that
signify national harmony and common destiny. The vision also recognizes the place of the family and will
seek to strengthen the family unit and maximize its benefits in transmitting social and moral values from
generation to generation.
Compassionate and tolerant nation
The people of Southern Sudan have been gone through economic hardship for a very long time, forcing
many of them into extreme poverty. Their expectation now is to have a compassionate and caring nation
which offers support and opportunity to those who are poor and vulnerable and guarantees equitable share
in the benefits of economic growth. It is envisioned that by 2040 all the people of Southern Sudan will
have access to productive resources as a means to eradicate poverty to the extent that no one will live
below the poverty line; Southern Sudan will be a tolerant nation that cherishes free expression of ideas,
free practice of religion and association with other people in the pursuit of legitimate goals; and that no
Southern Sudanese will be disadvantaged by gender, age, religion, creed, colour, ethnicity, language or
political ideology. Significantly, the new Southern Sudan will have citizens who are law abiding, have
strong moral values and exhibit high ethical standards.