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Recent Blog Posts
Last week saw the conclusion of an historic event for Sudan. The wrap-up of southern Sudan’s week-long independence referendum process—in which nearly 99 percent of South Sudanese citizens voted for independence from the North-- is not only a testament to international cooperation, but also a demonstration of the power of a country’s right to self determination and the fulfillment of the promises made in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
January 12, 2011 commemorated the 1 year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti that claimed 220,000 lives and displaced around 2.3 million people. Immediately there was an outpouring of aid and funds and pledges to help Haiti get back on its feet. The world made promises and commitments that Haiti would not be ignored in the aftermath of the disaster. But even a year later there are grim reminders of a nation that is still bearing the brunt of the tragedy, and the situation can still be described as pessimistic and uncertain. It was reported recently by Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) Edmond Mulet that only 20% of the aid donated after the quake has actually made it to the relief effort.
Sunday January 9th Southern Sudan opened the polls to vote in a historic referendum that will decide whether the south will chose independence and form their own nation. This vote is yet another step in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the 21 year civil war that has claimed over 2 million lives and displaced millions of other Sudanese.
While the news out of Sudan has been positive so far, we must not lose sight of the undertones of concern and dangers still present in this week long process. Citizens for Global Solutions agrees with the position of President Obama that "a successful vote will be cause for celebration and an inspiring step forward in Africa's long journey toward democracy and justice."