Bashir in Juba on 23rd Oct

The first signs we had of an impending visit was seeing women sweeping the sand/dust off the sides of the roads. Every time this happens we know that a ‘high level visitor’ is to be expected, since that’s the only time we bother, and it’s never announced before

But seriously, road closures, soldiers and police on every street corner, heavy guns in evidence everywhere, people just pissed cause- shit its bashir wtf… is it really worth it? They came, they talked and didn’t resolve the most important issue at the moment – the Abyei referendum (the end of October is just around the corner and statements have been made about holding the referendum before the end of this month!).  They’ve been talking for how long now?  Calling each other ‘my brother’- really??? -and ‘our neighbours’  and etc.  

I don’t think our issues will be resolved anytime soon- maybe we should stop wasting time and money in all this shuttle diplomacy.

Subsidies lifted = Riots

The GOS lifted fuel subsidies and prices jumped.People rioted.Gas stations,cars,banks burned down.Live ammunition used against protesters,rioters and looters{separate entities btw}.
Apparently our esteemed government is following IMF and World Bank recommendations.Sketchy advice in the best of times but one wonders whether other recommendations such as good governance, combating corruption and sound fiscal planning,shifting spending from military to education and health care were embraced so readily.
From a macro-economic pov,the cuts make sense, but economics rarely takes into consideration human suffering and how these corrections adversely affect the most vulnerable strata of society.
To me the question is not whether these cuts are needed but why?
When the oil was flowing and life was good,  huge funds were diverted towards militarization and private coffers.Chickens coming home to roost.
I{and most of this country} am wondering whether any change will result  from these protests and where this country is heading.
  

accept my vp or else....

 i find this quote hilarious; 

""The president came in with bad mood and introduced to us Cde James Wani Igga for his nomination as the new Vice President. Then he started to threaten us with dissolutions and dismissals. After he finished with his threats nobody spoke and the meeting ended like that. We will now sit today as parliament to see what to do", he said."

either way, we have a vice president

http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article47776

the ultra slim-fast diet.

As a friend of mine called the rather drastic move made by the president to fire the vice president, all the ministers and their deputies, a few weeks ago. We’d complained of the fat- well… this was the ultra-slim fast diet. Bold and shocking (to me at least).

Things were quite tense in Juba the days after the announcement - no one was sure what would happen. Would the army remain neutral? What would be the reaction of the Nuer? Rumours abound. Every single incident was blown up and out of proportion- for example, there was a conflict among traders in Konyo Konyo market, Juba town and a fight broke out, a few people started running and next thing you know, there was pandemonium- it’s a return to war! The UN sent out security alerts to all staff to go home and into hibernation mode, and to update evacuation plans. On the road to Yei, some soldiers got into an argument- I believe this also resulted in a fight and the news was… soldiers from two factions are fighting on the road to Juba town and are heading into Juba town! It was so difficult to get anywhere close to truth (a friend of mine said we really need twitter) 

I was surprised though; many people were quite pleased by the move. I hadn’t realized just how overwhelmingly unpopular this government is. I think we were all hoping to see a major change from the status quo. Getting rid of all the corrupt ministers, deputies, cronies…  and an ushering in of a results oriented, and slimmer cabinet. I am not sure we got what we wished for. When the presidential decree installing the new ministers was read, there was a sense of puzzlement in some of the choices. It’s a slimmer cabinet, yes… we are waiting to see if it’s a better cabinet, and worth all the drama and tension. Parliament has thrown out the nominated minister of Justice- over whether or not he is qualified. I still don’t understand this political process- I thought vetting of candidates happens before they are nominated? Not after?

We are still waiting for a VP