Food for the South's Returnees

Food for the South’s Returnees

With Southern Sudan on the brink of becoming the world’s newest nation—indicators pointing to southerners choosing independence from the North in the forthcoming referendum—many people have returned to the South with high hopes of a new life. The UN has recorded around 120,000 returnees since late October, many of whom are arriving at Juba’s port before being transferred to their homelands. For many, though, it is Juba where they will settle, reunited with their families in the Southern capital.

The World Food Programme is providing assistance to around 100,000 of the returnees, who have come with little or no financial means to carve out a new life as this new nation takes form. Returnees are given three months of food assistance, with help to households in the shape of lentils, sorghum, salt and cooking oil. Focus is on feeding people who arrive at their final destination, settling with their families, encouraging them to begin growing their own food in the South’s fertile soils. For those stuck in transit, emergency food relief has also been provided.

Here in Juba, 3199 people in the district of Buluk today received their second monthly ration, the majority having arrived on the 17th and 18th December 2010 after years in the North. With further distribution to 811 people tomorrow, this will be the final food distribution in Juba before the start of voting on Sunday, 9th January, where Southerners will decide between unity with Northern Sudan, or secession.

» More images from the food distribution, starting here.

Omar al-Bashir in Juba

Omar al-Bashir in Juba

“Bye bye Bashir” people chanted as Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, sped past them in a massive motorcade. Upon the roundabout around which they had congregated, a clock stands, counting-down to the Southern Sudan referendum. Today, it was showing four days.

Despite their chant and the flags they waved which ubiquitously called for secession, with the open palm symbol meaning “separation”, the Southern Sudanese citizens claimed no animosity towards al-Bashir. “We are very happy to see the president here. Southerners have no problem with northerners” said Joseph Mairi from Eastern Equatoria. Banners by the side of the road from the airport greeted al-Bashir, but reminded him that his time as president would soon be over. “We welcome you back to celebrate the independence of south Sudan” read one, erected by a non-governmental civil group.

His visit was one of conciliation, meeting Southern president Salva Kiir, stating that the North would accept the result of the referendum, whether for unity or secession, and that they would help the South post-referendum. “I am going to celebrate your decision, even if your decision is secession” he said.

During recent weeks, the north has made several attempts to convince Southerners to vote for unity, but the feeling here on the street is that it is too little, too late. “What did they offer for the last fifty-five years?” asks Akol Hem Arop, a doctor working in Juba. “We have four days to decide for the future of our people. These four days will not be like the hell of the 50 years of unity. We have to decide at the ballot box. My child will have a better future. He will not be a second class citizen.”

Smoking

A young Nuer smoking at Konyo Konyo market, Juba.

In one month’s time, Nuer, Dinka and all the other tribes of Southern Sudan will be voting to determine whether Southern Sudan will secede from the north. The place has a long way to go to become an autonomous, functioning nation.

The (Last) March for Peace

The southern Sudanese have walked a long way to get here. During the civil war war with the north, some crossed the country—on foot—to Ethiopia, before again fleeing violence, walking back through southern Sudan and into the Kakuma refugee camp in the north-west of Kenya. They have left for the United States, Australia and Europe, as well as neighbouring countries such as Uganda and Kenya.

For the last few months, on the 9th, they have been walking through Juba on a “march for peace”. Today would be their last, before voting in the January 9th independence referendum, that will likely see them opt for secession from northern Sudan.

Culminating at the Dr. John Garang mausoleum—the final resting place of the rebel leader who died in a helicopter accident just months after completing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the second Sudanese civil war in 2005—the atmosphere was electric.

Groups from all over the semi-autonomous had gathered in traditional dress, dancing and marching and expectant before voting to become the world’s 193rd nation.

Masters of the Spear from the ten states had come, sacrificing sheep and Southern Sudan’s national symbol, the cow, to bless the land for peace. After so many years of war, those of us privileged to behold this spectacle all hoped that their offering would work.

Boda Boda

Boda-boda. The Ugandan motorcycle taxis. The only way to get around.

Juba, Southern Sudan.