Back to the roots
When AnyiethManyang D'Awol travelled around Southern Sudan over a year ago, ranking high on her to-do list was the purchase of traditional handicrafts from its various regions. She was, therefore, hugely disappointed when she could not find any on sale, anywhere. "I went to the market in Torit…
The voice of Miraya
A proud and smiling Sheila Keji Modi recalled that she and a fellow reporter were the first voices to be heard on Radio Miraya. It was 30 June 2006, when the UN station went on air for the first time in the Southern Sudan capital of Juba. The historic broadcast featured a live programme with…
On every corner
Gone are the days just a few years ago when UN and relief agency 4x4s seemed to dominate the potholed, mainly dirt streets of Khartoum. Now, the city's newly paved roads are teeming with transport, including a wide variety of taxis. Paying customers can hop white metre and "negotiable" yellow cabs…
The voice of Southern Sudan
A proud and smiling Sheila Keji Modi recalled that she and a fellow reporter were the first voices to be heard on Radio Miraya. It was 30 June 2006, when the UN station went on air for the first time in the Southern Sudan capital of Juba. The historic broadcast featured a live programme with…
Filling southern skies
Before Sudan's peace accord was signed five years ago, the only aircraft allowed to land at Juba International Airport belonged to the Sudanese Armed Forces and international aid agencies. Five years later, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Egypt Air are among the better-known regional airlines…
Boating on the Nile
With the help of a few oil drums and pieces of iron, a Malakal man has transformed travel in Upper Nile State during the rainy season. Boats made by Mohamed Hamza Abaker' have opened up trade and reunited communities previously cut off by flooded roads eight months of the year. Before Mohamed began…
UNMIS prepared for the referendum
19 December – A top UNMIS official pronounced the mission to be technically and logistically ready for the referendum scheduled to begin on 9 January 2011 during a two-day visit to Western and Northern Bahr El-Ghazal states that ended today. "We are prepared to support the process to be held as of 9…
UN panel meets with southern officials
20 December – The UN panel monitoring Sudan's referenda met today with Southern Sudanese officials and civil society organizations in Juba to discuss progress after voter registration and challenges ahead of the vote, slated for 9 January 2011. Panel Chair Benjamin Mkapa said the aim of the three…
Returnees waiting in Malakal
21 December 2010 -- Over 2,500 southerners who arrived in Malakal from North Sudan three weeks ago are stranded in the Upper Nile State capital as they await ground transport to their hometowns and villages. The state government's point man on returnees is its Minister of Health, Stephen Lor Nyak…
SG Panel: Important referendum challenges remain
22 December - Wrapping up a three-day visit to Sudan ahead of the southern self-determination referendum, the UN Secretary-General's monitoring panel said it believed a credible poll could take place, although vital challenges remained. Speaking at a Khartoum press conference, Panel Chair Benjamin…
UNIRED delivers ballot papers to Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau
23 December 2010 – Officials of the United Nations Integrated Referendum and Electoral Division (UNIRED) delivered over seven million ballot papers to the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau in a formal ceremony held at the UNIRED warehouse near Juba International Airport today. The bureau's…
Upper Nile distributing referendum materials
28 December 2010 – Materials the Referendum State High Committee (RSHC) of Upper Nile received last week for next month's self-determination referendum in Southern Sudan are currently being packed for distribution to 242 voting centres scattered across the state's 13 counties. Non-sensitive voting…