One Man, Two Journeys

(Juba, South Sudan-May 2016)

Mabang Kur

A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT HAS BROUGHT PEACE—AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING—TO WAR TORN SOUTH SUDAN. FORMER REBEL LEADER RIEK MACHAR HAS BEEN SWORN IN AS VICE PRESIDENT AND WILL SHARE POWER ALONG WITH PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR. THE POWER SHARING ARRANGEMENT IS SPARKING HOPES OF A SUCCESSFUL UNITY GOVERNMENT AND AN END TO THE VIOLENCE... WHICH HAS, ACCORDING TO UN STATISTICS, DISPLACED TWO MILLION, CREATED FOOD INSECURITY FOR 5.3 MILLION MORE, AND CLAIMED UP TO 50-THOUSAND LIVES.

AS SOUTH SUDANESE PONDER WHAT PEACE MIGHT MEAN, THEY ARE ALSO CONSIDERING IF RECONCILIATION IS EVEN POSSIBLE HERE. REPORTER STEVEN YOUNGBLOOD SPOKE WITH ONE SOUTH SUDANESE SURVIVOR—AND OPTIMIST.

Click for link to audio story posted on Youtube 

In the meantime, our Peace Journalism Seminar at the Association for Media Development in Juba concluded today. The seminar went well--good, lively, engaged participants. I'll post photos and more from the workshop soon.