Yesterday South Sudan officially became independent of North Sudan. Different bloggers addressed various aspects of the event and its meaning:
- Maggie Fick: “South Sudan erupts in sheer joy as it becomes world’s newest nation”
- Dipnote (US State Department): “Ambassador Rice Leads US Delegation to South Sudan”
- Baobab/The Economist: “Managing Expectations”
- Amb. John Campbell/Royal African Society: “Juba and Khartoum: No Velvet Divorce”
- Edmund Downie/Foreign Policy Passport: “An Awkward Independence Day for Diplomats in South Sudan” – referring to the presence of Sudanese President Omar al Bashir at the event. Bashir is under indictment by the International Criminal Court.
- Roving Bandit: “Economic Prospects for the Republic of South Sudan” – better than expected, it turns out.
- Rosebell Kagumire: “South Sudan Independence: A New Journey Begins”
Amb. David Shinn posts his recent congressional testimony on Somalia. Highly recommended.
Chris Blattman flags a quote from Henry Kissinger on the difference between Chinese and American foreign policy. The quote, which refers to China’s lack of “ideological missionary tendencies” similar to the tone that characterizes American engagement abroad, is worth thinking about in the context of Africa.
Louisa Lombard writes an engrossing account of her visit to the “Winners’ Chapel” in the Central African Republic.
Saratu examines the relationship between the African Union and Colonel Moammar Qadhafi.
Loomnie excerpts remarks by Mike McGovern on the relationship between anthropology and development economics.
At Africa Is A Country, Dan Moshenberg places the story of Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s accuser in the larger context of media representations of African women and efforts to secure justice for women around the globe.
A Bombastic Element reflects on Somaliland’s experience with(out) aid, using a recently released World Bank report on African success stories as a point of departure.
What did I miss this weekend?
Sahel Blog 