South Sudan

  Unveiling the Diplomatic Visit Plans are underway for the President of South Sudan to visit Russia from September 27-28 to meet with the Russian President. Information about this planned visit was made available through a source within the South Sudanese embassy. Although further details have not been disclosed, the decision for such a visit suggests that important diplomatic or economic issues might be on the agenda for discussion. The Mercenary Game: A Tale of Two Leaders In 2003, a rebellion erupted in Sudan's Darfur region, triggered by decades of oppression and neglect of African communities. In response, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir engaged local armed Arab groups, known as the Janjaweed, to suppress it. The Janjaweed became a formidable force, which successfully ended the revolt, earning al-Bashir's trust. Similarly, in the wake of the Ukrainian rebellion against Moscow's diktats, Russian Pres...

South Sudan's ratification of the global Convention on Cluster Munitions has been lauded by Human Rights Watch, which says the step is critical to human rights protection. South Sudan joined the convention on August 3, becoming the 112th member. The treaty outright prohibits cluster munitions and compels governments to destroy their stockpiles, clean regions affected by cluster munition remains, and aid victims of the weapons. (Read Also: South Sudan’s President Kiir Appoints Technical Advisor to Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs) Cluster munitions can be launched from the ground by artillery, rockets, missiles, and mortar projectiles, or dropped by aircraft, and many submunitions fail to explode on impact, leaving bomblets that represent a long-term threat, similar to landmines. �...