Monthly Archives: March 2011

Links on and about various developments on the continent

Posted on March 31, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan–Today I’m pushing off for Nigeria, leaving my post here for six weeks. I wanted to share some links I’ve liked these past days, all bits of food for thought which distracted me while I hastily prepared my departure … Continue reading →

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Southern Sudan Up for Grabs?

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan—International companies and investors are snatching up much of the most fertile farmlands and lucrative territory in what will soon be the world’s newest nation, endangering food security and future livelihoods for local populations, a report released this week … Continue reading →

Posted in Internal Southern Dynamics | 3 Comments

Thoughts on Jos, Nigeria from afar

Posted on March 22, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan–Since I’m Nigeria-bound in about a week, my morning routine of checking the Sudan news now includes stopping by the Google News-Nigeria page. Reports out of “the Middle Belt” (where I will spend next month) seem to be growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Nigeria | Tagged | 1 Comment

Off on the Wrong Foot in the soon-to-be-state?

Posted on March 22, 2011 by

Here is my latest Dispatch for ForeignPolicy.com: Heading South South Sudan, Africa’s newest country, is starting off on the wrong foot. BY MAGGIE FICK | MARCH 21, 2011 JUBA, Sudan — Southern Sudan’s earliest post-referendum days were bound to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Internal Southern Dynamics, South-South Reconciliation, Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army | Tagged | 4 Comments

Vigilante Justice in the Streets of Juba

Posted on March 18, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan—It was just another Thursday in the Southern Sudanese capital when, as my friend and I dug into some hummus and fresh pita at our beloved Juba hang-out, Central Pub, minor chaos broke out. As some of the female … Continue reading →

Posted in Internal Southern Dynamics, South-South Reconciliation | Tagged | 3 Comments

The U.N. & Civilian Protection in S Sudan: Past, Present, Future…

Posted on March 15, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan—As the Southern Sudanese army’s fight continues against rebel forces it claims are backed by the Khartoum government, the question of how everyday southerners caught in the crossfire can and should be protected is becoming increasingly urgent. I reported … Continue reading →

Posted in North-South politics, Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army | Tagged | 3 Comments

Humbly seeking Nigeria contacts

Posted on March 11, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan–Greetings from beneath my treasured air-conditioning unit (it’s quite toasty these days in Juba). In addition to poking around on civilian protection problems in the UN peacekeeping mission and talking to local journalists about media freedoms (or lack thereof) … Continue reading →

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More on Abyei

Posted on March 4, 2011 by

I cross-post below a blog post I wrote yesterday for the Christian Science Monitor’s Africa Monitor blog: As world focuses on Libya, more than 100 killed in Sudan border town This week’s attacks underscore how the disputed, oil-rich border town … Continue reading →

Posted in North-South politics | Leave a comment

Abandoning Abyei, Again?

Posted on March 4, 2011 by

JUBA, Sudan–Given the lengthy radio silence on my blog, I understand if anyone who has checked here recently might accuse me of falling into a “post-referendum slumber.” I am guilty of neglecting this blog but in fact I have not … Continue reading →

Posted in North-South politics | 1 Comment