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SUDAN ARCHIVE: Oct. 25 - Nov. 4, 2005

South Sudan Video Report

Will peace prove as dangerous as war?

By Kevin Sites, Fri Nov 4, 6:36 PM ET

VIDEO - Sudan suffered from the longest and bloodiest civil war in Africa, a 21-year conflict that pitted the Arab Muslim-dominated government in the north against Christians and animists in the south. Now, after two million are dead and more than four million are displaced, there is peace -- albeit a shaky one.

A deep current of mistrust still runs strong among members of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in the south, which fought the government for decades. Now they're about to become part of it: the power-sharing agreement struck in January calls for the integration of some of the SPLA into the Sudanese Army.

Meanwhile, south Sudan -- one of the most underdeveloped places on earth -- is bracing for a massive influx of returnees. The millions of people forced to flee their villages during the war are expected to return soon now that the rainy season is ending.

With the help of international aid agencies, wells are being drilled and medical clinics are being built. But the South can barely support the population already there. The strain on food, water and medical resources could lead to more conflict and potentially a peace as unstable and deadly as the war.


http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs1393

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Comments

Join the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1
Thanks! The bible says there will be wars and rumors of war; but it didn't say 'prayer won't stop it' We (Americans/Government officials) need to pray; asking for forgiveness (for any part we play/have played--overtly/covertly), not hating and then, God will hear our prayers and heal the land(s).
Posted by lavada.weathers@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 8:35 AM ET
2
Can't the Muslims forgive!! Doesn't their Koran tells about forgiveness? If their follower is Mohammand, then he has forgiven others hundreds of times in his life. All young muslims need to forgive, and respect others. It is christmas season again. Let us all respect, love, and worship other religions. If we all did that we could find a strong similarities within all Holy Books of the Bible.
Posted by wimpyskeeter on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 12:46 PM ET
3
I really don't have a problem with religion. I don't think that Muslims are bad or Christians are bad.. What I do have a problem with is when people use their religion as justification for violence.That's never justified. All I wish for is that people would not become fanatics to their religions. That's where trouble starts.
Posted by rahuloda on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 1:11 PM ET
4
WELL,THE MUSLIMS DIE FOR WHAT THEY BELEIVE IN.THIS COUNTRY CALLED AMERICA WAS BUILT ON THE BLOOD OF PEOPLE OF COLOR.THIS NATION IS A HIPOCRITE NATION.NOT A CHRITIAN NATION.IN MURDER YOU TRUST.
Posted by cmcknight7444@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 3:10 PM ET
5
This country will be whatever you make out of it. However, I agree with the first comment, we need to pray to God more, let Hear our prayers and help those that need help here as well as in Sudan. There is good and evil in every country same as in everyone of us. It's hurrable that kids need to suffer by not having enough food, water and any ability for schooling (which is the lease of their problems). Day by day servival is what matters and only God can help those who pray loud enough.
Posted by perelka@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 3:23 PM ET
6
To cmcknight7444@sbcglobal.net. While your statements are true that we used slaves to help build this country you forget one thing. That thing is the tribal leaders in Africa who were willing to sell their own people for profit. While this does not remove the blame for our country it places the blame on both side of te ocean.
Posted by fith04 on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 4:01 PM ET
7
Kevin, thank you very much for your wonderful contribution to informing the world about issues that have no place the powerful media such as CNN, ABC, NBC... Let me just remind everyone that we are living in the time of Globalization, meaning that any issue that affecting poor people in the Africa jungle, will have repercusion to people of who live in Queens in NY city. This underscore the idea that we are somehow related in this world. Regardless your religion, we are in the same boat. When the world will receive an attack from outsiders( Aliens), the all world will join their armies under one leadership to respond to the attack. we need a conjugate effort to resist global warming, poverty, explotation and many other issues regardless your religion. Humankind has nt yet to understand that we are all related and connected; any injustice directed to people of a small town in D.R of Congo will threat justice everywhere around the world because we are connected. we have obligation to join our effort as one single global community to eradicate disparity of injustices. We all know that we can make this world a better place to live, as an example from Kevin's contribution to informing us is a noble way to resist injustice of big media industry. I want to ask Kevin for a favor, in the name of justice and love of human, a creation of God, love of God to investigate the issue of victims of war in Eastern D.R of Congo. More than two thousand women were severely raped and have undured pain and disgrace, vast majority of them had their genital organs removed or cut off. The local authority failed to provides medical attentions and conselling to assist them to reintegrete the community that has rejected them because of shame. some victims are 12 year old or under, when they were systematically raped. According to UN, nearly ONE THOUSAND ( 1,000) people dies every DAY in D.R Congo as consequence of war or exposure, but the international community is silent, why? why? they are people just like us who live here in USA. D.R of Congo war lost TRHEE MILLION (3 Million) people in war, the second largest war victim in Africa since the second world war. The authority of DR of Congo has engaged to resolving the conflict and agreed to the peace process to end hostility, but has failed to highlight the issue of victim of massive rape in eastern Congo and to establish a formal justice to help these women to cope with this disgracefull shame. I implore you in the name of your God, regardless your religion to seek justice for these voiceless women of D. R of Congo victime of rape in east violence. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." M.L. King jr.
Posted by bomeboy@verizon.net on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 10:23 PM ET
8
A fool will speak his or her whole mind. Lets stop all the blaming and complaining. Ask yourselves, how can I make a difference in the lives of these precious people. Especially the women and children. Come together in unity just 2 or 3 if need be, and put together baskets of medicine, clothes, toys, water, eyedrops, sandals, seeds and etc. I know for a fact just small acts of kindness is truely appreciated by these people. Who are our brothers and sisters regardless of your race or religion. We must be people of compassion. Health, wealth, freedom and safety isn't promised to no one. Please don't deceive your own selves. You know what, if you can't do anything for these precious people you can pray for them; or just stop talking negatively about them. Agree?
Posted by graceandpeacetoday on Tue, Nov 8, 2005 11:05 PM ET
9
Hello, my name is Sema, i'm from the Dem Rep of congo. I just wanted to thank you for what you are doing for my people, my african bothers and sister, i will pray for you if it is ok with you again thank you verry much for all your help. I wish there was something i could do to help. I have no money, no job, and place, the only thing of value i have is my faith. Bless you my brother.
Posted by hitshaku on Wed, Nov 9, 2005 2:51 AM ET
10
Dear Kevin, First let me say this is excellent - you are no doubt raising awareness on regions and conflicts the US public know too little about. You have recently been in DRC, Uganda and Sudan, areas I am currently working in or planning work in , and I've noticed that you haven't mentioned the International Criminal Court, or any national justice initiatives in place,in these regions during your coverage -- why have you not addressed the issue of justice after violence in these three regions which have suffered the gravest crimes, and which are currently being addressed by the first permanent international criminal court and evolutionary national justice, such as a peace and reconciliation commission? It looks like you are moving north to Iraq at the moment, but if you return to any of the 3 countries named above, it would be great to meet!
Posted by wandaelizabethhall on Wed, Nov 9, 2005 3:06 AM ET

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HOW TO HELP

  • International Rescue Committee: Sudan - delivers emergency relief, rehabilitation and development assistance, and helps Sudanese refugees throughout the region.
  • CARE Sudan - operates development and rehabilitation programs focusing on agricultural, environmental and primary health care activities.
  • Save the Children: Sudan - works to help internally displaced persons and refugees, providing health, education, and public health services.
  • International Medical Corps: Sudan - provides emergency health services to survivors of conflict in Darfur.

in memoriam

The Kevin Sites in the Hot Zone team dedicates this site to Marla Ruzicka, a fearless voice of compassion, who was killed in Iraq on April 16, 2005, while trying to lessen the suffering of others. For more information, see Civic Worldwide.