Illogics of Sudan Panthou Heglig wars

Best article I have read about the conflict of the Sudan. I highly recommend the article: Conflict in Sudan: The logic of war and the current illogical response.

A Creamer Media reporter, Jens W Pedersen pens it far better than the "logic of War" Thambo Mbeki - so much for being so narrow minded about Sudanese history. 

Well, Jens has the most logical alternative to the impasse: 

"Perhaps it is time to mobilise the parties which facilitated and sponsored the CPA, which through a concerted effort managed to carve out an historic deal. Rather than ad-hoc, issue-specific and snap-shot negotiations, a more bold approach is needed that conquers the issues that led to the abandonment of the CPA and its stalemate."

Kudos to Jens W Pedersen for the article.

Condemned: UN and AU "Double Standard" on Sudan Vs South

Condemned: UN and AU "Double Standard" on Sudan Vs South

Republic of South Sudan Visas

On 9th July 2011, Southern Sudan was declared independent, I prefer liberated from oppression but in reality she declared sovereignty - so much to joys and emerging chagrins.

While systems Republic of Sudan and Government of South Sudan (GoSS) officially ceased on 9th July 2011 and Republic of South Sudan (RSS) commenced in the instant, first on the internationally chagrined list: 1. How to get an Entry Visa to the Republic of South Sudan (RSS).

As I write this, here are your average options for entering the Republic of South Sudan:

1. Either Fly to Africa and hope to reach Juba wrath-less without an Entry Permit ; or
2. Enter South Sudan from Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Kampala to process a GoSS Travel Permit. It costs about US$ 50.0, your passport size photographs of you the alien, knowing where any RSS website or Embassy is in an African City, and atleast 30 Minutes of your time to catch your flights.

While the official line is that any Republic of Sudan Visa issued in Juba will be honoured till its expiry, please don't think you will easily enter and wonder in South Sudan on such a visa - fiercely proud South Sudanese immigration and security junior officials will not tolerate such nonesense!

Here is some Visa hope: Two weeks from writing of this article, South Sudan could begin issuing its own standard Visa awash with her own rules and regulations and of course some fees. The key phrase is COULD.

Otherwise some better news are that:

1. ITU assigned the Republic of South Sudan an international telephone code: +211
2. The world's newest republic has a new currency: The South Sudan Pound.
3. The vexing your must register your entry into the Sudan requirement might not continue in the new Republic!

Code 211, because South Sudan became a sovereign state in the year 2011 AD.

Salute Egyptian Military

Independent South Sudan

The inevitable independence of South Sudan is also awash with pessimisms as to whether the South can govern its self. One ARV (an anonymous and possibly a pen name) commenting at the New Vision website discussion merits an exception to the publishing policy of Salam Taki. The ideas are here shared with the audiences of Salam Taki. The analysis is worthy sharing.

Note: The opinions and authorship belong to the author aka ARV.

And Quote:

"....The fact that we the South Sudanese started to struggle for our independence even before the independence of the whole Sudan should not be under estimated. Illiterate South Sudanese were well enlightened enough to know what it means to be independent. How possible is it that we the current generation who went to schools where most of the African and world intellectuals studied be considered incapable of running our own affairs?

I seriously question the intellect, wisdom and even mental status of those who still think South Sudan is not ready for independence. I wonder if at all they know what independence means. I remember asking that colleague of mine in 2006 whether she thought I would not be able to do the same job she is doing for her country (as I have the same qualification to her's) when I go back to Sudan, and whether she thought having been educated in Uganda, I was not capable of managing anything entrusted to me. I actaully [sic] told her she had insulted me indirectly by implying that despite my academic achievements, I would not manage anything well. Well, I worked in Uganda and did just a good job like any other good Ugandan would do. What would prevent me from doing even better in South Sudan?

This is just a simple illustration of how ready we are. There are many more South Sudanese out there both in and out of South Sudan who will take on the role of nation building and governance. Remember, you don't need a genius to lead a country. All you need is a sense of direction - which is very much present in the people of South Sudan.

I know we are facing huge challenges, predominantly due to the nature of most of our people. We are said to be violent, hostile, aggressive, rude, lazy, and all the negative co-notations associated with South Sudanese. Some of these are indeed true while others may not be true. But these can as well be explained by the long period of struggle we went through and loss of law and order over this period meant that people took the law into their hands. Being hostile became a very crucial and inevitable defence mechanism to deter aggressors, thus protective in a sense.

Finally, I urge the prophets of doom to watch out. Their prophesies might haunt them and they will loose any credibility of prophesying again. In the April 2010 Sudan general elections war was predicted. Nothing came out close to that. This very referendum voting process violence and possibly war was also predicted. This time the message from the hostile, aggressive and illiterate South Sudanese (as people say we are) has silenced the whole world and proved beyond doubt that despite our short comings, we know what we want and how to get it right.

Our strong desire to protect and defend South Sudan will be the driving force behind our success."

End quote.

Let the optimisms be put to action. Happy New Year - 2011. Salam Taki feels this is the year of South Sudan.

Happy 2011 - The year of South Sudan

In 2011, the Year of South Sudan, the geo-political heart of Africa, you should welcome the 54th State of Africa - The Republic of South Sudan (Or Azania). It is a normalcy bias: Uganda's 2011 national elections and South Sudan's 2011 self determination referendum 2011.

Greetings from now in South Sudan: With a referendum slated for early January 9, 2011, the Khartoum government will roar, and throw tantrums and some bombs, create chaos here and there, but a full blown out war is not desirable to even the most fool hardy fanatic in that regime. An assurance is that the peripheries of Sudan - South Sudan, Darfur, Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile, the Eastern Bank and all opposition to the current Khartoum regime could all gang up against the centre. The international economic community will also not tolerate the war. Times are hard. Khartoum will not want to provoke furies.

South Sudan's rear guard: Uganda. In national elections. Conditions obtainable in the field will not favour a regime change, the leadership and presidency of Uganda for the timing. Add it that Uganda's democracy is still nascent. There, it is is a "demoNcracy". If need be, a win for the incumbent will be "democracKed".

He shall win because he is Museveni, the man, the politician, the strategist, the in-charge of Uganda's state machinery, regional linchpin, East Africa's longest serving president, and thoroughly entrenched in the socio-economic politic military fabrics of Uganda, tested and proven executive of a geo-strategically located international operations base.

Given Somalia, the Nile Basin, and South Sudan's potent crisis, Museveni's involvement and with the "international community" in Sub-Saharan Africa and the fact that Museveni is a note able continental voice and therefore one of the continent's strategists, he remains very relevant to the local, regional, international and politico-military interventions in Sub Sharan Africa.

To pull extra ordinary electioneering victory in Uganda, where Sudan had a chance in Dr. John Garang, only appeals that transcend party affiliations like politics, religion, and tribalism must be translated into into economic and fair competitiveness national campaign strategies in order to change leadership in Uganda. Museveni will therefore win because the opposition lack the acumen to pull off an extraordinary victory. Atleast it seems to be the case in their current campaigns. It is a fashion show for alternative opposition leaders - Norbert Mao and Ms Betty Kamya.

Current so called electioneering and democracy in Uganda is what I will call "DEMONCRACY". If need be, M7 will "democrack" a win. For all the ills that could follow, here is good news: the international community can not allow an Ivory Coast nor a Kenya situation in Uganda. Not in the year 2011 - the Year of South Sudan, the geo-political heart of Africa.

With other people's opinions very alarmist, and pessimist we should take the due caution: Also, brace for uncertainty. Take care. It is only Eight (08) days to South Sudan's referendum. Her independence can only be declared on or after 9 July 2011. I wish you a Happy New Year.

ICTD Research by Africans: Origins, Interests, and Impact

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

ICTD Research by Africans: Origins, Interests, and Impact

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Long live Sudanese Monkeys

Monkey Tap. Monkey Do. As the [quality of] tax-funded educational system declines, computer software improves. Credit Gary North. Opinion is that much as South Sudan wants its "independence" be mindful that the world over also wants a lasting solution to a Sudan lying geo-economically strategic but so wasteful in the heart of Africa.

With 33 days to South Sudan's much dreaded referendum, Sudan's politics is playing out to be well programmed software. Weird developments are happening in Dinka Ngok's Abeyei area. For some reasons, the Misiriya are pressing so that they part takes of a South Sudanese only referendum. And in an attempt to ruin a triumphalist's independence vote, the Misiriya have formed their own government in the Dinka Ngok's territories - in another's man's bedroom. Monkey Do. Monkey taps a trigger!

Apes will be able to achieve the impossible including dragging sane nations to war. A diplomatically trimmed Field Marshal who can't be in Tripoli has rubbished a Darfurian rebel commander, a centre clinging and holding partner. Things might fall apart more than a software could understand. And while "Wikileaks" has confirmed that Egypt dreads an independent South Sudan, South Sudan's vote for independence is no longer being doubted. The counting down is rushing. Oil! Greed will be the motivation for raging monkeys. The triggers are being orchestrated. A nuisance center might not hold for too long.

A composite reality comprising geo-racial, Afro-Arab politics, religion, economics and involving oil is one of grand interests, and a local alliance against a common notoriety. Doubt you what another monkey would do as the triggers get a prominence? I am resigning and will not be evacuating come East Africa 2011.

RSA Animate - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

South Sudan: The Geo-politics

In Fifty (50) Days the South Sudan could cast ballots to decide either to be the newest independent state in the world and 54th in Africa or to choose to remain slaves to the Khartoum regime in North Sudan. In the words of Dr. John Garang (RIP), it is absolutely their choice.

You be kidding. While their choice is only salam - peace, there is also the regional, Arab league, Sub Saharan, West, East and a confused global preference of the Sudan. A tension builds. 2010, the Sudan may never be the same again.

The Sudan, bordering Nine (9) countries can not be allowed to remain perceptually unstable for business, for exploitation and as an opportunity. Global by design, local by nature, people are tired of war more so a war in the South and Darfur. Add it that any war right now could mutate triumphing Southerners to seek alternative victory in the North!

And in the midst of all these, watch political developments in Kenya, Uganda, Chad, Darfur, Egypt, Khartoum, Ethiopia and in South Sudan. Let Congo and C.A.R lie! This could be Africa's geo-intertwined-politics of ages.

Probing the Ministry of Schooling

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school." - Albert Einstein. Education is not your schooling. Expressed Mathematically: Education = (You - Schooling)

Let's explore further:

If: Education = (You - Schooling)

Then: You = (Education + Schooling)

Which Means: Schooling = (You - Education)

This it is proven. Schooling has less to do with your Education.

Query: When the examiners probe your Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and what haven't you they taught but never test your social skills and problem solving skills, the resulting grades, whose are they - Could they have been the Schooling System's? Was it a measure of your Education?

From Sub Saharan Africa, it is therefore so pathetic that the institution of Education is left to the Schooling Ministries. The curriculum of Education remains for ever hidden. Let those who can find, make use of it.

RSA Animate - The Secret Powers of Time

Facebook Banglasheshed

Once in Ugandan primary schools, the phrase "Bangladesh" was an injurious insult and whatever it meant I haven't understood till this day. So here is my wrath: Any entity that blocks access to any website, here is my response: Bangladesh! I hope the Bangladesh sounds like your intestines came crashing.

So Bangladesh, Pakistan and many shall block access to the likes of Face book. It is an opinion here that such backward acts of enemies of expressions have no place in this age. For all reasons, I think the Bangladeshis of this Internet age are in for a shocker! Let the Internet community find a technological solution to Internet censorship.

You could have been smarter, the Internet can be come smarter too. Bangladesh.

Truths served

SCIENCE doesn’t explain the universe, nor which came first, of an EGG and a COCK. You won’t get the FACTS. Feed on the TRUTHS you are served. A LIE gets told so that we get contented. Believe and have peace. Refuse, and hell awaits you. This is where belief bridges a yapping gap. So I think, so I am and I search for the Truth and I let the FACTS remain.

If it made you mad, then it hit at a reality, if instead of being mad you opted to be sad, then understand that the TRUTH is whatever I chose to believe. FACTS are devoid of emotions. Understandably we humans are emotional beings.

While we can’t reconstruct FACTS, we create FALSEHOODS and trade it as TRUTHS. One of his infamous landmarks, BIG LIES told more often become TRUTHS.

FACTS are often beyond our reach and imaginations. An attempt in finding FACTS are in an equally inadequate SCIENCE, at least by Albert Einstein’s judgement.

Agree that SCIENCE doesn't explain the whole universe, nor which came first, of an EGG and a COCK. This is where belief bridges a yapping gap.

A LIE gets told so that we get contented. Believe and have peace. Refuse, and hell awaits you. You won’t get the FACTS. Feed on the TRUTHS you are served.

Happy New Year. I ply between South Sudan, East Africa and Uganda and I am reading. Give me the Internet, ICT, add me the peace, lets do business. I am in.

South Sudan 2010 and beyond

Southern Sudan 2010 builds an anxiety. The Sudan must dread the forthcoming national elections that could determine the leadership that sees it through to 2011 national referendum. April 2010 is for national elections. 2011 is either for the unity of or the break away from the Sudan.

An ICC indicted president, battled hardened South Sudanese, bitter Darfurians, contested regions and Africa, find queer speculations, fearful uncertainties and hopeless hoping in a menu modern, Kush 2010, 2011 plus. The telecommunications in a fiercely politicised socio-economic Sudan.

In the South of the Sudan, the telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure should anticipate some crude roles in the face of competing and opposing coordination and mobilisation of the will of the electorates. A communications warfare might be in the offing.

MTN Sudan, Zain, Vivacell, Carnatell, Sudani, Gemtel, ISPs and cyber networks. Speculation is that Sudanese politics could impact negatively on the mundane economic telecommunications of the South and the Sudan.

South Sudan, the opportunities fade. Clarifications is that Salam Taki shall be updated with a better regularity. The sun shines.

Rightly left ambidexterity

As the Lefties pride on this day, I wonder which I would wish for my two year old twin daughters. While we were raised by a right handed mum who I think, thought with her strict right spanks, I am convinced she used her leftly rights to tame four brothers and their handful sister.

I think, I used to study my little brother's strangeness. He eats using his right hand, kicks and writes with his left limbs, fights from the left, looks rightish while playing squash and didn't know how to swim. I am more rightish. Volley ball, basket ball, and chess. Perhaps a convert from no where. Soccer. Undeveloped skills. As for him, I think he thinks using his left side of the brain. He looks that way atleast.

Left, right or both, I wondered how all these matter. Well, one mischievous dear uncle and my best alley, but because of handwriting lessons and the impatience of teachers, I recall, Oscar Delta literally tortured, and rebuked in every many schools we went to as was at the country side home. Todate, his left hand deeds as Barack Obama's left handedness fascinates.

And for Grace, the one friend who made me understand how to deal with girls, Colette and Claudia shall use whatever hand that suits then and any ambidexterity should only add to a fascination. I hope you complete your MBA. See us in December.

Abyei's oils: She is Southerly

Okaaaay. Abyei! Is it the fate of an electorate or people or is it the land or political territory or is it her oils or grassing lands? South Sudan and Sudan. East and West adjusted. How North is the South end? Nine Dinka Ngok Chiefdoms. The ABC, the xyzeds. The verdict is out. Abyei is well endowed. Very oily. She is Southerly. She is a price in another hand ...

The CPA was signed in 2005. National elections were meant to take place in June 2009. The referendum on whether the South would be independent or remain part of the Sudan and the fate of disputed regions including Abyei are to be determined in 2011. National elections meant for June 2009 postponded till April 2010. A referendum still possible in 2011. The CPA.: Abyei remains under the custodianship of the government in Khartoum until 2011. SPLM Vs NCP; SPLA Vs SAF. Make peace attractive. Abyei. Ceasefire and the fate of the CPA interwined.

Ok! Under a government in Khartoum! Could Abyei have been designed by the CPA architects to be a ransom inorder for the referendum to take place!? Is the fate of Abyei the price of honouring the CPA to its conclusion in 2011?

Of blogging, hypertexting, class, and aftermath

I don't know what I did yet I had to abandon the blog. I am worried. My report card! And for my pains, Habesh Continental for a Monday evening. Worth it. Ethiopian. I didn't. I slept in my bed.

Ginger in my eyes. I read that email and confirmed that luck had come my way. DiploFoundation chose to train us on the Internet governance process. Gratefully and nervousely, I enrolled into the IGCB 09 class and for close to three months, it has been an experience. Undisputeably, a thank you Steph is very much in order. I never heard my tutor speak, and to infer to an observation, I too never got the chance to see how other classmates  listen. We hypertexted, hypertexed, blogged, made forum entries, hypertexted and hypertexted, had a Friday online chat session, spied the Cantina and sought information and knowledge. And the day for the final examination came, two questions attempted and ... It has to be a new dawn. The networking resumes shortly. But then, what a beauty for a class. 

However, Arsene Wenger FC had not done me any favours, I had to nurse my daughters to health, felt the hurt in pockets, opportunities dwindled, and to see bullet proof V8s packed and no internet connectivity, the stress had boiled enough. Come the Monday evening, it had to be to the nearest Ethiopian hospitality. Habesh Continental at the banks of the Nile. Emerging and not disappointing, the atmosphere by Juba standards and starless ofcourse, was splendid. The rooms go for US $ 180 only per night. I had to remind my self. There is only a today, a tomorrow and a now. I need to get busier. Mukumu ducks, I am around.

First Southern Sudan ICT Policy Workshop

The first ever ICT Policy stakeholders' event is takes place in Juba, Southern Sudan, Home and Away Conference Hall. Follow the live tweets of the event by Henry Owera at the event at the URL: www.twitter.com/owerahbits

Government of Southern Sudan's Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services organised a three days envisioning workshop under the theme " Community Empowerment through ICT" to run from Wednesday 18th - Friday 20th March 2009. One the agenda were a) Government inter-linkages and roles of the ICT / telecom sector; b) presenting and elaborating on the policy and regulatory environment and c) preliminary consultations on "implementation plan " for the next 5-10years.

All the ten states ministers of Southern Sudan are invitees, and in attendance are the GoSS Ministers of Internal Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Telecommunications and Postal Services and Kenya's Minister of Information and Communications. The quest of honour was H.E Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir, the 1st Vice President of Sudan and President of GoSS who was represented by his Minister of Regional Cooperation. One member of the Legislative Assembly was in attendance!

Also in attendance are officials from Communications Commission Kenya (CCK), Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), and other consultants from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Noteably is Dr. Shem Ochuodho, advisor to the GoSS Telecom Minister, Sub Saharan Africa Internet pioneer and first .ke ccTLD administrator; Dr. 'Tusu" Tusubira founding board of director of UCC, director of Directorate of ICT Makerere University and an international consultant consulting with Knowledge Consulting Ltd among others.

Notable absent were officials from the National Telecommunication Corporation and Sudan Internet Society all based in Khartoum, donor institutions, the academia, civil society, the media houses and you!

Good wrong diagnosis

Bed rest, plenty of fluids, healthy diet, and pain relief. Are those all? Great! I like these! I like this treatment! I have done self diagnosis of what has caused me the malaise and found its treatment to be too simple a great solution! Yes. I hope it is the right ailment I am dealing with.

"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
-- Mark Twain

Did it then aged 13. The tools then were my unknown reality, a mindset, the pain I was in and a book written on Where there is no Doctor. I compared what was written in the book with Latin American biased to my own and I concluded I had Shingles. Went to the clinic and the medics called it Herpes Zoster. Was given treatment and mum worryingly sent me out. What I did not know was that in her mind, was a stereotype so common about the ailment in disease riddled Uganda. She came back triumphant. It wasn't it. The cause was not that one!

Seventeen years later and alledgingly information literate and using the internet and aware of its ills and potential, I replace my medics. I won't name the sickness. Come e-doctor give me the solutions:

• Plenty of rest: Plenty of rest I shall avail myself;
  
• Plenty of fluids: I wish I could get those organic ones and put a blender to good use! Otherwise, it is the bottled waters, tea, packaged one, ... ;
• Healthy diet: This is Juba, Southern Sudan where cooking is not an option for me. Ok! I hated the junk foods ages ago and detest meat already. Ok! Okay! I will add eating to my schedules;
• Pain relievers: in my case I don't even need pain killers! I will supplement by sleeping under the moon and the twinking stars more often. I will relax. Pheeeeww ...