South Sudan: the birth of a new republic

Amina Dut, 46, London
South Sudan is very different to the north. We are pure black Africans and mostly Christians. I am Catholic. I am not Arab like the people in the north. They came into Sudan much later than us. I cannot live under their sharia law. That’s why we have to separate.
Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Martin Muortat, 48, London
I will move back, but I need to build a house first. I have children aged six and nine. They have mixed feelings about returning. We took them on holiday there last year, which they ­enjoyed. They loved the weather and the ­freedom. They chased ­chickens around and said the air smelled ­different to London. But London is still home to them and they have been ­affected by the stories of war.
Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Sakina Dario, 47, Leeds
We need to work out a way to ­ensure that women and the younger ­generation participate in the process of governance. The government needs to ­prioritise a better gender balance. The ­opportunities for women are just not there yet.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Wol Ariec, 49, London
We are keen not to make the same mistakes seen elsewhere in Africa. We don’t want to commit ourselves to debt. We don’t want to be a ­liability. ­Investment capital is what we really need, not loans. It will be the people who decide how our oil revenues are spent. The north is still an important partner for us so we have to maintain a ­relationship. We have no choice. Khartoum needs to understand this. We all still have family connections in the north.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Kamal Kambal, 39, London
I will have mixed emotions on 9 July. I am happy for our lost colleagues who dreamed of such a day, but we are only really at the very beginning of our struggle.
Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Hakeem Legge, 52, Wakefield
Africa is a continent where politics is very different from the rest of the world. The reprisals for my extended family could be severe for something I say. I cannot return until this all changes. I will not be celebrating on 9 July, or attending the parties. We are only exchanging one oppressive ­regime for another.
Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian