South Sudan targets HIV

As of today South Sudan announced it initiative to target the killer disease of HIV. They are hosting a three day forum in South Sudans capital of Juba. Hundreds of organizations and representatives are meeting now to discuss how to tackle the issue of HIV and the prevention of the disease in south sudan. The vice president of Sudan addressed the forum and asked to step up the needs of targeting HIV in south sudan, mainly in rural areas where the disease is more prominent. The main goals are to create awareness as a whole to the society, and to combat the spread of the deadly virus. He also stressed the importance of the issue on a national, regional, and international level, and urging aid from many other corporations. He revealed that 35 million south sudanese pounds was donated to the cause thus far.

http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-s-leadership-urges-for,40276

Katie Kruse

Disarmament for South Sudan

Today South Sudan began a new disarmament program after recently passing a resolution to remove 150,000 combatants from the SPLA/national army. This will leave the country's military forces cut nearly in half in a time when skirmishes with the north are still common. They are not simply removing arms from those discharged from military forces, it is in part a rehabilitation program back into civilian life for those who have lived much of their lives as militant rebels.

Chairperson of the program William Deng Deng also spoke on the matter of child soldiers, refuting that the SPLA/national army is or ever had recruited child soldiers. However, he did acknowledge that children may have independently volunteered to join, and may now be within the ranks. He assures the world community that they will be the first soldiers disarmed and returned back to civilian lifestyle.

Bree Roozen

Bashir Vows To Crush Opposition

Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's vilified leader, has sworn to crush SPLMA forces that control the Blue Nile. In this operation, Bashir has allegedly continued to use his common strategy of arming tribes and different ethnicities against each other in a genocidal cleansing effort. Putting this in perspective to events in Khartoum however, it seems this double down on the opposition comes from pressures close to home. Hard-line critics are accusing Bashir of failing to prevent a split, as well as his cooperation with the West which was revealed in a Wikileaks cable. On the other side, Sudan's economy is in freefall, and food prices are skyrocketing. If this effort really is an attempt to appease critics and distract the people, will it work? With several other leaders felled by the Arab Spring, could Bashir's head be next on the block?


William Ragan

http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/48952

Ahmadinejad Aims to Strengthen Iran-Sudan Relationship

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will arrive in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum late Sunday in an attempt to bolter economic and political ties between the two predominantly Islamic nations. The President's entourage on this diplomatic excursion will also include Iran's ministers of higher education and energy along with several economic advisors. Sudan's official SUNA news agency stated that the talks will be "on bilateral relations and common interests between the two countries and ways of developing them." This attempt by the Sudanese government to find economic and political support in the international community is most likely a response to the loss of much of the country's oil revenues after the secession of South Sudan which has led to rising inflation and massive foreign debt. Currently, Iran has publicly pledged $200 million to fund several projects in the eastern portion of the country.

By: Nick McGuire

South Sudan Seeks U.N. Help For 'Difficult Journey'

Last week, the first South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir, took the new country’s General Assembly seat at the UN. While in New York, he met up with Barak Obama to discuss U.S. support of the developmental projects for South Sudan. Before independence, the region was deprived of the development and modernization that was taking place in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, as a result the country has few paved roads, which would help connect and centralize South Sudan. While tensions are still high between Sudan and South Sudan, the President is urging both countries to come together to stop rebel fighting along boarders. In South Kordofan, a main oil state still apart of Sudan, a large part of the population sided with the south during the civil war and several former southern rebels in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile are continuing to fight against Sudanese rule. Sudan has now accused South Sudan of supporting these ongoing rebellions. Kiir answers by stating that South Sudan will not interfere in Sudan’s domestic issues, leaving it up to Khartoum to deal with its ongoing problems. It seems that peace between the two countries is not yet obtainable because both governments continue to accuse each other of arming and lending support to rebel groups. However, diplomatic talks are going to have to proceed in order to resolve oil disputes.

To read more:http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140781088/south-sudan-seeks-u-n-help-for-difficult-journey

More about Kordofan: http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7KM2KP20110922?sp=true

- Kathleen Fultz

Over 2000 Firearms Collected in region of South Sudan

In the Lakes State of South Sudan an estimated 2,200 firearms have been collected by the SPLA. This is since September 7, when the government had requested for civilians to hand over their firearms to police officers or village leaders. There has been an increase in cattle raids, which is thought to be linked to the need for marriage dowries. Also, there has been an increase in the number of highway robberies. The seized arms up until this point have been supposedly handed over freely and not against the will of the owner.

Matt Boguslawski

South Sudan Seeks U.N. Help

President Obama, in his speech to the General Assembly cited South Sudan as being the prime example for the 'correct' way to join the international community, undoubtedly referring to Palestine. Sudan split through peace talks and an independent vote. But peace has been no where near achieved. Obama met with Salva Kirr (president of South Sudan) to express US support for the development of the new country. Kirr is known for wearing a cowboy hat. The peace talks continue to work out a deal between North and South Sudan over their oil resources.

The US Envoy for Sudan, Lyman has made it clear that US relations with the North will not work until the fighting has stopped and the conflicts with the South end.

By: Liz Hasseld

US group: Sudan moving troops to contested area

A U.S. NGO, the Satellite Sentinel Project has identified Sudanese military forces marching towards the southern border with South Sudan. According to the Satellite Sentinel Project, the Sudanese military is stepping up heavy military operations in the region, including the use of artillery and armored vehicles.
The three southern regions feeling military pressure from the government in Khartoum politically and culturally ally closer to black tribal South Sudan. This has caused further tension in the region. Further, the fighting between the Government of Sudan and the Southern Rebels has inhibited the distribution of much needed humanitarian aid.




In addition to identifying military movement towards the southern region of Sudan, two mass graves have been identified by the Satellite Sentinel Project. Solidly providing evidence that hostilities have not subsided with the establishment of the new independent state of South Sudan.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AF_SUDAN_VIOLENCE?SITE=WHIZ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


Stephen Phelps

South Sudan Threatens to Close Borders with Sudan

According to an official in the Republic of South Sudan's capital of Juba, all borders with their new neighbors to the north, Sudan, will be closed within a little over a years time. By next December, there would then be total restriction of travel between the north and south, which could have devastating impacts on both countries economies, and overall well being.

A restriction of travel naturally means a restriction on the movement of goods, which would potentially worsen the already rapidly growing problem of food shortages and price hikes of many commodities. This move would also complicate another burgeoning issue; what to do with the oil that is produced largely in South Sudan, but that must travel north into Sudan where most of the refineries and pipelines are located.

Even more surprising is that this announcement comes just one week after a deal was brokered to open up 10 new border crossings between the countries. If both Sudan and South Sudan are honest about revitalizing and improving their respective situations, they need to realize how economically linked they are, and that it would be wise to try to open up more crossings, instead of taking them all away.

http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-to-shut-borders-with,40237

David Johnson

Japanese Peacekeepers to be deployed in South Sudan.

On Friday Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan addressed the UN General Assembly announcing that Japanese peacekeepers will be deployed soon to South Sudan. He further stated that the purpose of the mission is to support peace-building efforts in South Sudan as well as gathering information on the needs for infrastructure in the south. A Japanese survey team is expected to leave some time this month to evaluate the security and infrastructure needs.

By Gina Fazio

Sudan hit by spiralling food prices

As the government scrambles to contain the climbing food prices many citizens of Khartoum as being forced to make drastic spending cuts. The rising food prices are a symptom of the economic crisis facing the Sudanese government. A report last week revealed that the government was $38billion in debt. After losing most of the oil reserves when the south succeeded the SDG fell even further against the USD causing the economy to slump even more and in turn causing food prices to rise again. Meanwhile the government hopes that a program to revitalize agriculture in the country will help balance things out. However even if these programs are successful there is a growing number of citizens who need aid before the country will be able to make money from exporting crops to neighboring countries.

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2011/09/23/sudan-hit-by-spiralling-food-prices/

Nicole LeDonne

President of Iran Plans to Strengthen Ties with Sudan

The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is coming to Sudan to talk with the President of Sudan. They plan to discuss how to improve their relationship as allies. China and Iran strongly support the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir. The two countries signed a cooperation agreement in 2008, which strengthened their military ties. Bashir supports Iran’s nuclear program to build nuclear weapons although Tehran rejects this charge against him. Bashir is facing charges from the ICC due to the war crimes in Darfur. Sudan also is in an economic crisis due to the independent South Sudan taking much of Sudan’s oil revenue, making it likely Sudan will choose to expand trade ties with Iran. Western firms tend to not trade with Sudan because of the restraints on U.S. trade. On Monday, Ahmadinejad plans to meet Bashir to speak at the capital of Khartoum according to Sudanese foreign ministry officials.

http://news.yahoo.com/irans-president-arrives-sudan-boost-ties-143702793.html

Taryn Vaughan

South Sudan takes action to demobilize SPLA

The Peace agreement between the north and south in 2005 outlines steps for both armies to regulate the number of soldiers in order to make both more professional and under control. The initial plan was to remove 90,000 soldiers from each, in reality only 10,000 have been and the rebel groups and government armies still have not reached their goals of organizing their troops. For South Sudan the SPLA has around 200,000 members, which officials from South Sudan say they want to cut in half. This task is difficult for South Sudan because there are so many different groups that have become part of the SPLA and other rebel groups it is hard to regulate the actual number of forces, and how to control them. This is just another obstacle south sudan is facing while still trying to build their own state.

http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-plans-to-disarm-150,40233

Kala Azar parasite drugs

A parasite that can cause anemia and leads to death, prominent in the South Sudan region, has known cures of which a 30-day in-hospital stay involving daily injections is know to create an immunity to further infections. However, funds, supplies and hospital expenses have hindered the use of treatments. Lack of buying ability from those undergoing treatment has dissuaded pharmaceutical companies from research and manufacturing of the effective medications.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/drug-companies-neglect-tropical-disease-drugs-for-poor
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Physicians-Urge-Action-on-Neglected-Disease-130424738.html

-Rebeca

46 People Killed in Cattle Raid in South Sudan

South Sudan, although it is a new country and violence was sought to be diminished in this war torn area it clearly is not. The sheer fact that people are being killed in raids or cattle is a clear indication of this. The vast majority of people in both Sudan and South Sudan live an agricultural life where their live stock and crop are are their livelihood. It makes sense therefore that violence such as this still exists, but what is even more worrying is that the violence seen in these crop raids is linked and tied to racial and tribal differences in this area. The split that the country faced was intended to try and quell these problems, but as of now this is not the case. Hopefully, the future will lead to more peaceful times.

Matt Boguslawski

Ethiopia Denies Advising US to Overthrow Sudan's Government

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is doing clean up after Wikileaks had released discussions between the Meles Zenawi and the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Phil Carter, as well as, Tim Shortley, Director of Sudan Programs Groups (SPG), at the US State Department. The majority of their discussion revolved around Sudan President Bashir’s arrest warrant for crimes committed in Darfur. During the talks, Zenawi pointed out that one course of action the United States can make in dealing with Bashir and his administration is to “remove the Bashir Regime”. This is a bold statement, especially coming from a prime minister of a neighboring country to Sudan. It is no surprise that Zenawi did not want this comment to be released and miss construed in ways that could threaten Ethiopia. In a press release last Saturday, Addis Ababa added context to Zenawi’s comment explaining that Zenawi went on to say that this course of action would be unlikely and lead to strain with the US. Zenawi also suggested the US government come up with clear proposals with Khartoum, addressing South Sudan and Darfur.

Although Ethiopia may not have directly advised the US to overthrow Sudan’s government, it seems that surrounding countries to Sudan, like Ethiopia, are concerned with the Bashir administration, now more then ever, with the separation from south Sudan and the International criminal court warrant out for Bashir.

To read more: http://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia-denies-advising-U-S-to,40163

-Kathleen Fultz

Sudan bars southern parties

Northern Sudan has outlawed 17 different political parties. The claim is that these parties are from the South and now have no place in Northern Sudanese politics.

The party hit the hardest was the SPLM-N0rth. SPLM rebels led to the successful seceded of the South this summer.

The 17 parties are now considered, "foreign parties" The government has taken away Sudanese citizenship of some of the party leaders.

Following fighting near the borders between the SPLM and government troops the SPLM offices have been shut down, and many of the members arrested. The north is accusing the south of supporting the SPLM-north, South Sudan has denied this claim.

It seems that even with the split of the North and South there are many areas which have not settled down. The differences in ethnic groups, religions, and politics are so spread out throughout the country, simply just splitting the country in two has not even made a dent in sorting out Sudan's tumultuous history.

-Liz Hasseld

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14949818

Rebel Group Leader Returns to Sudan

According to the Sudanese Army, Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), has returned to Sudan after escaping to Libya for upwards of a year. JEM is one of the most prominent rebel groups in the embattled state, and it appears that Ibrahim is currently located in perhaps its most troubled region, Darfur. It remains to be seen what Ibrahim’s intentions are, but the Sudanese Armed Forces spokesman made clear the government’s view on his return, describing him as an “easy target” now that his location has supposedly been discovered.

There have been countless international efforts to try to bring peace between rebel groups such as JEM, and the government institution in power in Sudan, and the U.S. is spearheading some more efforts that are supposed to include a negotiation session at the end of the month. In addition, Ibrahim himself has been quoted as saying all he wants is peace in Darfur. But past events have dictated a different story, one that has always included violence and armed uprisal instead of any sustained form of peace. And as Sudan continues to fight battles over territory and other long-standing issues with its new neighbor, South Sudan, Khalil Ibrahim’s reappearance could indicate that more conflict is on the radar with the ever troubled region that is Darfur.

http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudanese-army-says-JEM-leader-on,40177

David Johnson

Sudan minister attacks UN over rights

Sudan's Justice Minister Mohamed Bushara Dosa has issued a statement claiming that the UN has the wrong picture of what is happening in the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile provinces. According to Minister Dosa, the facts coming out of the region are distorted and untrue. He claims Sudan will continue to work with the UN in the field of human rights. These statements were in response to a UN report stating that the "Sudanese army had carried out killings, arbitrary arrests, abductions, attacks on churches and aerial bombardment in the Southern Kordofan region that, if proven, might constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity." He hopes that Khartoum's aid in ending the conflict in Darfur will be taken as a sign that Sudan's government is trying to end conflict and violence not spread it further.

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE78F0IQ20110916?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

Nicole LeDonne

Food and Water

Inflation has been hitting the Sudanese pound hard and food is not excluded from the rapidly rising prices. Reuters has an article about a response to rising meat prices: boycott. The idea behind the boycott is that if it costs too much don't buy it. Prices of meat have been rising in Sudan despite much of it being produced within the area. While that article mentions that exports may be partially to blame, an article from the UN News Centre suggests an additional possible factor; cattle raids are a direct loss of meat. The Sudan Tribune mentions a county hit hard by bandits after the county was disarmed by the new South Sudanese government.
I also found an article detailing disputes over water resources in the face of a large drought. Conservation of natural resources and concerns over environmental impact as well as problems with multiple countries having claim creates barriers to over-consumption as well as general consumption of water from Lake Victoria and the Nile.

-Rebeca

Sudanese NISS orders newspapers to not report rebel activities

The National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) recently instructed newspapers in Sudan to refrain from publishing any statements or activities from rebel groups in the country. Although Sudan's constitution protects the freedom of the press, several pro-opposition papers have been confiscated during circulation and cheif editors of large newspapers are forced to sign "journalistic code of conduct" documents stating that they are to use "self-censorship and refrain from publishing materials harmful to the state." On Wednesday the NISS confiscated copies of the pro-government paper Akhbar Al-Yawm after it published statements by Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Justice and Equality Movement which is fighting the government in Darfur. The newspaper made no comment about the confiscated newspapers or what had transpired.

by Gina Fazio

South Sudans Plan of Action

Despite the ongoing conflict between the North and the South, Southern Sudanese are attempting to draw in foreign investors in order to help the infrastructure of their country. North Sudan in relation to south sudan is the home of the city center, Khartoum. The most development is located in North Sudan. South Sudan is in dire need of economic boosts in order to improve their lack of roads, education, health, etc. They plan to host trade fairs within the next year in Brazil, India, and China. Although some investors are taking advantage of the split between the north and south, some are still hesitant, as they should be to take business to sudan where conflict still occupies much of the land.

Katie Kruse

http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate+News/South+Sudan+woos+foreign+investors/-/539550/1237120/-/iyts7w/-/

More Displacement and Movement Restriction

Bree Roozen

Sudan is at it again - an approximate 100,000 people have been displaced by fighting between the government and rebel factions, and those people are stranded without hope of assistance. Sudan has restricted movement of aid workers within the country, so that current supplies could maybe feed 20,000 people for about two weeks. The Sudanese Red Crescent society and the World Food Programme have been fighting to get into the area to no avail, the Sudanese military is declining to comment. So far the only steps the Sudanese government has taken have been to fire the governor of the area and declare the Blue Nile in a state of emergency.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-14/sudan-fighting-in-blue-nile-state-displaces-100-000-un-says.html

Also: first blog entry of the season, hooray!