Getting it Right from the Start-Priorities for Action in the New Republic of South Sudan

Amidst jubilant celebration, the new Republic of South Sudan entered the international stage in July 2011 albeit as one of the least developed countries in the world. The challenges and opportunities are enormous, and donors, the government, implementing agencies and most importantly the people of South Sudan have a lot at stake – but much more to gain. This paper presents ten areas for action based on the experience of NGOs operating in South Sudan and lessons learnt during the Comprehensive Peace Agreement interim period. Donors must prioritise them in the first years of the country‟s independence so as to ensure the best possible results for the people of South Sudan.

Recommendations
1. Balance development assistance with continued support for emergency humanitarian needs
2. Understand conflict dynamics.
3. Involve communities and strengthen civil society.
4. Ensure an equitable distribution of assistance.
5. Prioritise the most vulnerable and ensure social protection.
6. Promote pro-poor, sustainable livelihoods.
7. Strengthen government capacity, from the bottom up.
8. Allow sufficient time for transition towards government management of international aid.
9. Provide timely, predictable funds.
10. Ensure integrated programming.

Read more here http://www.oxfamblogs.org/eastafrica/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Getting-it-right-from-the-start_FINAL010911-GS.pdf

South Sudan-Born 9th July 2011

A bright new dawn in Africa, welcome South Sudan!

Oh God
We praise and glorify you
For your grace on South Sudan,
Land of great abundance
Uphold us united in peace and harmony.

Oh motherland
We rise raising flag with the guiding star
And sing songs of freedom with joy,
For justice, liberty and prosperity
Shall forever more reign.

Oh great patriots
Let us stand up in silence and respect,
Saluting our martyrs whose blood
Cemented our national foundation,
We vow to protect our nation

Oh God bless South Sudan.

Official National anthem of the Republic of South Sudan click here


I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.

Nelson Mandela-Long Walk to Freedom (1995)

Read more here The Road Map to Independence and Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa-South Sudan and South Sudan Unresolved Issues

EVENTS: SOUTH SUDAN COUNT DOWN TO JULY 9TH 2011

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN FOREIGN POLICY & THE ETHIOPIAN LAWYERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA

COUNTDOWN TO JULY 9, 2011: PROSPECTS FOR A PEACEFUL AND THRIVING INDEPENDENT SOUTH SUDAN

Discussion with: Francis Deng and Gabriel Abraham Wednesday, June 8, 2011 06:30 PM-08:30 PM Panel Discussion and Q&A FOUNDATION FOR THE GLOBAL COMPACT 801 Second Avenue 2nd Floor New York RSVP Required: hello@elnaonline.org

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the Government of Sudan and the Southern People's Liberation Front ended decades of civil war and paved the way for a peace process culminating with last January's referendum and South Sudan's anticipated independence. What difficulties has South Sudan faced in its transition to independence and what challenges lie ahead upon formal grant of statehood? What is the outlook for stability and democratic governance? What will be the nature of South Sudan's relationship with its neighbors and what will be the implications of its independence on the wider Horn of Africa region?

Francis Deng Since August 1, 2007 Mr. Deng has served as Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, to the United Nations Secretary-General, with the rank of Under-Secretary General. From 1992 to 2004 he served as Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Internally Displaced Persons. Mr. Deng also served as Ambassador of Sudan to Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United States and has served as Sudan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He has also been a Wilhelm Fellow at the Center for International Studies of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Research Professor of International Politics, Law and Society at Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. Mr. Deng holds an LL.B from Khartoum University and an LL.M and a J.S.D. from Yale University and has authored and edited over 30 books in the fields of law, conflict resolution, internal displacement, human rights, anthropology, folklore, history and politics and has also written two novels on the theme of the crisis of national identity in the Sudan.

Gabriel Abraham Mr. Gabriel is Senior Project Manager at Deloitte Consulting with many years of experience in post-conflict environments. As an Advisor to South Sudan's Minister of Cabinet Affairs he is ensuring that key functions of government are in place. As principal advisor on the Referendum Taskforce established to address the needs of government during the transition to a nation state, he designed the vision and objectives for the Taskforce, coordinated with key ministers and donors to see the implementation of key government functions. Prior to his assignment in Southern Sudan, Mr. Abraham served as Chief of Party in Kosovo on the Local Government Initiative Project, and the Effective Municipalities Initiatives project. Prior to his assignment in Kosovo, Mr. Abraham served as acting Chief of Party on the Afghanistan National Development Strategy project. From 2003-05, Mr. Abraham provided advice to the governorate of Najaf, Iraq. Advisory services included training, household survey of all 155,000 households and the implementation of local council elections. Mr. Abraham has been an instructor at Tufts, Harvard and Columbia and earned a BSc from Haverford College and graduate degrees from Columbia.

South Sudan-What Next?

South Sudan
To Be or Not To Be? That is the Question...

Demographics

• Capital city: Juba
• Demonym: South Sudanese
• Area: 619,745 km
• Population:11,000,000–13,000,000 ???
• Ethnic Groups: Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Lotuko, Kuku, Zande, Mundari, Kakwa, Pojulu, Shilluk, Moru, Acholi, Madi, Lulubo, Lokoya, Toposa, Lango, Didinga, Murle, Anuak, Makaraka, Mundu, Jur, Kaliko, and others.
• Official language: English
• Did you know: Southern Sudan produces 85% of Sudanese oil output!

The African continent is gearing up as the geographical land map is about to witness significant change!

The secession of South Sudan is more likely, & a new nation is about to be born in the African continent. This marks the end of a new beginning as the journey ahead as an independent international sovereign state begins.

So what would their To do list look like:

• Sustain the peace dividend
• New name
• New National Anthem
• National Pledge perhaps
• Dialing code
• Domain name
• Good governance
  
• Development Strategy
• Education, Education, Education!!!
  
• Strong, independent, transparent, accessible institutions
  
• Become an economic powerhouse in the continent
  
• Don't become another Eritrea
• Be serious
  

Not to do list:

• War
• Corruption
• Inefficiency
• Nepotism
• Tribalism

Sudan as it is today

Check out:

http://southsudaninfo.net/