South Sudan
Emmanuel Jal was around seven years old when he was recruited as a soldier for the Sudanese Liberation Army. He’s now become a hit musician. But how did he get from one to the other? He explained his story to The Punch.
Can you describe for us how you were recruited to the Sudanese Liberation Army, and how you felt at the time?
I was 7 years old and I had been sent to a refugee camp in Ethiopia by my father to receive schooling and to leave the war behind. Whilst I was at the camp, under the UN’s nose SPLA commanders were rallying the children and young people together.
Continue reading "Punch Q&A: From child soldier to hip hop star" »
A little over two months ago, on 9 July 2011, the world celebrated in unison at the birth of the world’s newest nation, the Republic of South Sudan.
As the Prime Minister’s Special Representative, I was privileged to represent Australia at the independence celebrations in Juba, South Sudan’s largest city and the capital of the newly independent country.
It was an historic moment, and the elation was palpable and infectious. With an Australian Akubra hat protecting me from the hot African sun, I shared in the joy and celebrations of thousands of South Sudanese.
Continue reading "Cautious hope for the world’s newest nation" »
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Avoid Future Problems says:
@marley - I disagree I think we know who is going to struggle with their second and third generations. This idea that you can just take poor and unskilled immigrants in our humanitarian program and give them the same benefits as every other Australian, sounds good, keeps the average Australian… Read more »
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RyaN says:
@marley: do point out where it stated that the franchised voting system was racially based! Evidence please. Read more »
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