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Discussion Board Summary
3 December 2007 –
03 April 2008
We are well into 2008 however the world was caught
out by the violence that broke out at our ally and neighbour Kenya
following a highly disputed election at the end of December 2007.
Those who had long enjoyed refuge within its peaceful borders found
themselves in the middle of brutality.
With hindsight we look at Sudan:
Why Peace is Likely to Prevail (posted 7 December 2007) which
reflects on viability of CPA and SPLM's determination to defend
the southern cause with its allies in Southern Blue Nile. Members
make comparisons between the Khartoum Agreement and Comprehensive
Peace Agreement in terms of commitment by both North and South.
However, this was soon put behind despite the fragility of the CPA
when SPLM returned back to the Government of National Unity (GONU)
at the end of December.
As the third CPA signing anniversary approached,
many reflected on the achievements and disappointments after last
year's acrimonious exchange between the two leaders at the second
anniversary celebrations in Juba. In a move that had been delayed
for months, we
heard North Sudan Troops on Their Way Back North (posted 9 January).
Understandably many members thought it was too good to be true as
later learned that the withdrawal did not fully adhere to the stipulations
of the CPA.
No CPA anniversary will be complete without controversy
over the death of Garang de Mabior. This time was no exception.
Garang's
Death To Be Re-Investigated (posted 5 January). Members are
clearly torn apart by these comments from Government of Southern
Sudan Vice-President Riek Machar on this very emotive subject.
Controversially to the Peace Process and efforts
of reconciliation is If
This Is True, Sack Pagan (posted 21 February) in which SPLM
Secretary General Pagan Amum is quoted stating that SPLM would not
mind reviewing the CPA in relation to the current Darfur crisis.
Several days later he refutes the claim but members by then had
already been alarmed at this thought and discussed repercussions
of such likelihood. This elicited 24 replies after over 700 views.
In the Politics and Governance forum we recall
the uncertainty following the surprise announcement of SPLM withdrawal
from the Government of National Unity (GONU) on 11 October 2007.
In SPLM
Pulls Its Members Out of GONU (posted 11 October) has so far
elicited 26 replies from over 1,900 views, many continued to discuss
the issue even after SPLM and NCP managed to resolve the crisis
in December.
Looking at Southern states politics, Western Equatoria
state was plunged into mourning following the death of the governor,
the late Samuel Abu John in February and members sent their condolences
and tributes on The
Governor of Western Equatoria Samuel Abujohn is Dead (posted
15 February).
On a slightly different political note is Al
Rai Al-aam: Kenya Seizes SPLA Tanks (posted 15 February) in
which members ponder about the authenticity of the claim. This is
largely because Kenya has been a long time ally to SPLM/A. Also
of intrigue is Kiir:
SPLM Is A Unionist Party (posted 5 March) in which members are
invited to debate on an opinion on GOSS President Salva Kiir's leadership
within SPLM. The highlight must be
Lam Akol Survives Assassination Attempt (posted 24 March) in
which members are informed of threats to the life of former GONU
Foreign Minister.
In the Development forum, members discuss the benefits
of NGOs within south Sudan after comments from Jonglei State governor
about inefficiency of 'idle' NGOs in Lt.Gen.
Kuol Manyang's Tough Stand on NGOs A Job Well Done (posted 12
March).
Human Rights forum saw more responses for Governor
Bol Madut Accused of Brutality (posted 19 February) in which
he is accused of assaulting a student. Members comment on the apparent
abuse of power by some of those in leadership. That said, several
topics within the forum stipulate the right to education and members
are yet to fully engage fully in these discussion. Not far removed
is the Health Matters in which we read of good news in the battle
to find a cure for AIDS in Good
News on A Very Important AIDS Research (posted 3 February).
A rarity for Youth: The Future forum is a poem
in The
Rising Voice of Sudanese Youth (posted 5 March) in which there
is a rallying call to the youth which elicited warm responses from
members.
To round up the Gurtong Discussion board are the
Reflection: Diaspora Sharing Experiences and House of Nationality
forums with Commentary
on Dr. Adwok's Article (posted 29 January) with 7 replies to
over 400 views where members discuss the opinion article 'The SPLM
Is Not Entirely Southern Sudanese' on reflections. House of Nationality
presents Miss
Malaika Is A Threat To Southern Sudanese Cultures (posted 9
December) in which a member questioned the aspect of beauty in relation
to southern Sudanese adopting Western standards as definition of
beauty. On a cultural note is "Lets
Try To Reform Our People" (posted 21 February) in which
an article questions the rigidity within southern Sudanese communities
in view of their neighbouring communities from a woman's perspective.
As always the opinion
articles on Gurtong provide wide-ranging perspectives of topics
covered and insightful views have been made. Gurtong recommends
you have a read as a myriad of topical issues have received review.
Here is just a pick of them:
14/03/2008 Sudanese
in Kenya bear the brunt of the Kenyan Post-election Violence
10/03/2008 How
the South Sudan parliament is run
06/03/2008 South
Sudan: Key facts on enhancing women's status
03/03/2008 Let's
Think Bigger On Abyei To Save Lives
20/02/2008 Reshuffle:
SPLM's line-up — Two tales of an unfortunate winner and a
happy loser
18/02/2008 Sudan
refugees return to face disappointment
11/02/2008 Sudanese
chiefs meet in Khartoum to repatriate IDPs, but to where?
17/01/2008 The
"Problem" of "Street Children in Sudan"
04/01/2008 The
Polemics of Politics of Transitions in Sudan
It is recommended that those who
have time to spare should go through the whole posting and select
what they like for themselves.
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