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South Sudan News Clips—The “Attractiveness” of Unity?
JUBA, Southern Sudan—While reading today’s papers, I couldn’t help but notice a recurrent trend across the three papers I was perusing.
Despite the recent efforts of the National Congress Party to “make unity attractive” to southerners anxious to cast their votes in the upcoming self-determination referendum, the resounding sentiment of southerners still seems to rest in the “separation” camp. In other words, last ditch attempts by the Khartoum government to show the South that a unified Sudan will provide southerners with a better life than the alternative (an independent South) seem to be falling on deaf ears.
On that note, here are some snippets from the local papers:
“In conclusion, volumes of words will not make unity attractive. Seeing is believing and there is nothing that can be seen practically to demonstrate the attractiveness of unity. It is obvious that our brothers north of the border are specialist in talking too much devoid of substance. There is therefore no regret for the separation of the South.”
--Jacob K. Lupai, in an opinion piece titled “A million signatures to dishonor the CPA in Sudan,” 5 to 11 July edition of the Southern Eye
“As for now the NCP officials have suggested that they will seek to carry out as many development projects as possible for Southerners to see the fruits of remaining within a united state. Many countries in the region as well as the African Union and European Union appear reluctant to see Sudan break up into two but what the Southerners on the ground need for now is separation.”
--Manyang David Mayar, “NCP-SPLM unity support deal is too late: Popular Congress Party,” 5 to 8 July edition of The Juba Post
“It is…not practical to force unity on the people of Sudan at this point in time. Besides, Southerners aren’t faking their quest for freedom; our people have paid a price for it, and are ready to do more in the event of sabotage and ploys. We have matured and we can do it without the North.”
--Isaiah Abraham, “Hardliners or not South Sudanese set to secede,” 29 June to 9 July edition of the Sudan Mirror
Hello,
I was very pleased to find your article on Girifna! I am Chair of SmithSTAND (a student anti-genocide coalition at Smith College) and am actually in need of your help.
I have been working with Girifna since about May of this year. I have spoken with several members about SmithSTAND's future fundraising for their organization next fall. I've also been helping to raise awareness about Girifna through our website, tabling, and making a Facebook page of support.
Yesterday I received an urgent action request from one of Girifna's members who is in New York. I was asked to please find journalists and news agencies that would be willing to cover the event that took place two days ago (July 5th and 6th).
Three Girifna activists, while distributing their first edition of their magazine, were arrested on July 5th. They were beaten. Their lawyers had almost everything set for them to be bailed out on the 6th when the Sudan Nation Security Force came in with machine guns and took them to an unknown location. Given the history of the GOS, it is likely that they will be beaten further and possibly even face execution.
I was hoping that you could write a blog post about this matter. If you happen to have any connections to journalists or news agencies, would you be able to contact them about this issue? I fear that if this matter doesn't receive press attention, then these activists will inevitably be in danger without anyone knowing. Although Bashir and his government doesn't seem to adhere to international pressure, I still think that its vital to attempt to try to do so.
Thank you so much for writing this article and for reading this message. Also, I have direct contacts with Girifna members who can provide all the information needed for the story (time, location, details, etc.) and who could provide more information about what we've been doing together. I actually have a press release written that the Western Mass Darfur Coalition and local STAND chapters tried to get released on the parallel activism of the student-led movements in our area alongside of Girifna's movement.
Also, here's some more information about the matter: http://www.girifna.com/blog-girifna/?p=1934, I can also provide more information.
Thanks again. Don't hesitate to email me.
-Jamie Sullivan