Learn from Kenya, lobby tells South Sudan

An international organisation that advocates for media freedom now wants South Sudan to learn from Kenya on how to improve the liberties of journalists working in Juba. In its latest report, the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged the South Sudanese government to learn from the Nairobi in which press freedom has flourished in the recent past. RSF stated in the Investigations Report-July 2012 that although Juba had shown “promising but hesitant steps,” it will still have to fight off the Khartoum hangover which would threaten to stifle the work of journalists.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/1445228/-/yc5khiz/-/index.html

Letters to Juba – About the Project

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fki6sLer5ag&feature=player_embedded

Letters to Juba is a grassroots project that aims to promote dialogue on development priorities and sharing innovative ideas from developing countries around the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJUFiJdRNrY&feature=related

Driving through Juba, South Sudan. Accompanied by Emmanuel Kembe’s “Celebrate”

USIP Event: South Sudan: Beyond the First Year

As the world marks the first year of South Sudan’s independence, the new state has made important progress on some fronts but still faces daunting challenges ahead, including continuing instability, security sector reform, budget shortfalls and corruption. The government of South Sudan is working to meet the high expectations of its constituents, with limited success.  In this event, senior representatives from the government of South Sudan and the US government will reflect on the year since independence and discuss South Sudan’s road ahead, including how the international community can be of greatest assistance.

Speakers:

• Ambassador Princeton Lyman
  U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan
• Ambassador Dhanojak Obongo
  Charge’ D’Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan
• Jon Temin, Moderator
  Director, Sudan Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

http://www.usip.org/events/south-sudan-beyond-the-first-year

Sudan drops 5 Cabinet posts as part of austerity measures after protests over …

Sudan drops 5 Cabinet posts as part of austerity measures after protests over …
Washington Post
Al-Bashir has explained the need for belt-tightening steps by noting that since the secession ofSouth Sudan, oil revenues have dwindled. He also pointed to the cost of the ongoing conflict withSouth Sudan. Al-Bashir has been charged by the …

Humanitarian tragedy unfolding in remote corner of South Sudan
Telegraph.co.uk
Humanitarian tragedy unfolding in remote corner of South Sudan. A humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in a remote corner of South Sudan, the world’s newest nation – and one of its poorest — as it prepares to celebrate its first anniversary of independence…

World’s Youngest Country Yet to Embark On Road to Civil Liberties, Says RSF … AllAfrica.com Reporters Without Borders is today releasing a report – in English, French and Arabic – on the state of freedom of information in South Sudan, which will celebrate the first anniversary of its independence in six days’ time, on 9 July. The product of a …

Yida refugee camp flooded with North Sudanese msnbc.com (blog) Getty Images reports: Yida refugee camp in South Sudan grows each day and now has swollen to 64317, as the refugees continue to flee from South Kordofan in North Sudan. The numbers of refugees arriving from North Sudan vary from 500 to 1000 a day.

South Sudan marks anniversary with uncertainty AfricaNews A year after achieving independence, there is more work for Republic of South Sudanto do to ensure democratic stability and progress for the nascent country. As President Salva Kiir, in office since July 9, continues along the path of building a …

South Sudan’s First Year of Independence Mired in Conflict Voice of America Many challenges face young nation, including ill-defined, violent border with Sudan, internal conflicts in Greater Upper Nile region, looming economic crisis.

South Sudan minister calls on Prime Minister Business Recorder (blog) Nhial Deng Nhial, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Republic of South Sudan on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Raja.

Is Our Patriotism Moral?

To my mind, the Fourth of July has a lot going for it compared with other holidays: great food without a lot of work, warm weather, no presents, and fireworks. And, in our house, at least, there’s the special moment when we read out loud the Declaration of Independence and follow with a toast (American sparkling wine, of course), “To the United States of America!” And I have to force back tears of pride at being an American. This is my own distinctive experience of what we call “patriotism,” and I suspect that many Americans experience something similar, and acknowledge it in their own ways. Amid the frequent confusion, frustration and anger of our political disagreements, patriotism — a deep-seated love of our country — remains something that has the potential to bring us together, particularly at times of national crisis or triumph.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/is-our-patriotism-moral/?ref=opinion