The Sudan Curse: lack of power in South Sudan

Sudan and South Sudan’s tensions regarding the oil-rich land of Abyei are escalating. Abyei is one of the “three areas” (Abyei, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile) within the disputed border regions between Sudan (in the North) and South Sudan. These three areas are yet to determine by referendum or personal consultations whether they join Sudan or whether they join South Sudan. The tensions revolve primarily around the distribution of oil wealth.

South Sudan accused the North of launching airstrikes on or near major oilfields on Tuesday (between the towns of Bentiu and Rubkona), which the North denied. However, the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company, a consortium led by China’s Nile Petroleum Company, confirmed that its facilities had been hit. South Sudan is now assessing the damage.

South Sudan has crude oil, but no refineries. It is dependent on this oil to fuel generators so that the nation has power. Currently electricity is erratic leading to frequent blackouts across the country. Even the capital of Juba rarely has electricity and most companies and homes rely on diesel generators. The crude oil needs to be exported through Sudan, but the North and South have not yet agreed on the terms for the use of the northern refineries. In January, the South shut down its oil production due to a dispute with the Khartoum government. Without oil production, the country will remain in darkness. Two nation cooperation regarding equitable oil distribution and resource management is urgently required.

The Ministry of Electricity and Dams in South Sudan is now planning to build hydropower and thermal power plants to mitigate the electricity problem. The Nile River is its main source of water, and therefore would be a potential source for hydropower. The government plans to build a 40 megawatt hydropower station near Juba within the next three years. In the future, it plans to build two 200 megawatt hydropower facilities and a 540 MW plant within the next 5-7 years. However, there is currently no funding for these stations - not for the feasibility study, design, or construction.

The South Sudan government is currently seeking funding for hydropower and thermal power plants, and an oil refinery, through international investments. Since independence in July 2011, South Sudan has continued to be dependent upon the Khartoum government in Sudan for its oil production. Construction of energy plants would help South Sudan gain true independence and the means to stimulate economic growth.

Pir-E-Kamil - The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed: book review

The Perfect Mentor pbuh (2011) is set in Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan. The novel commences with Imama Mubeen in medical university. She wants to be an eye specialist. Her parents have arranged for her to marry her first cousin Asjad. Salar Sikander, her neighbour, is 18 years old with an IQ of 150+ and a photographic memory. He has long hair tied in a ponytail. He imbibes alcohol, treats women disrespectfully and is generally a “weird chap” and a rude, belligerent teenager. In the past three years he has tried to commit suicide three times. He tries again. Imama and her brother, Waseem, answer the servant’s call to help Salar. They stop the bleeding from his wrist and save his life. Imama and Asjad have been engaged for three years, because she wants to finish her studies first. Imama is really delaying her marriage to Asjad because she loves Jalal Ansar. She proposes to him and he says yes. But he knows his parents won’t agree, nor will Imama’s parents. ...

Flaws in the Glass, a self-portrait by Patrick White: book review

The manuscript, Flaws in the Glass (1981), is Patrick Victor Martindale White’s autobiography. White, born in 1912 in England, migrated to Sydney, Australia, when he was six months old. For three years, at the age of 20, he studied French and German literature at King’s College at the University of Cambridge in England. Throughout his life, he published 12 novels. In 1957 he won the inaugural Miles Franklin Literary Award for Voss, published in 1956. In 1961, Riders in the Chariot became a best-seller, winning the Miles Franklin Literary Award. In 1973, he was the first Australian author to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for The Eye of the Storm, despite many critics describing his works as ‘un-Australian’ and himself as ‘Australia’s most unreadable novelist.’ In 1979, The Twyborn Affair was short-listed for the Booker Prize, but he withdrew it from the competition to give younger writers the opportunity to win the award. His autobiography, Flaws in the Glass...

Sister cities discussed: Canberra and Islamabad

Two months ago, in March 2015, Australia and Pakistan agreed to explore ways to deepen ties. The relationship between Australia and Pakistan has been strong for decades, and the two countries continue to keep dialogues open. The annual bilateral discussions were held in Australia in March to continue engagements on a wide range of matters of mutual interest. The Pakistan delegation discussed points of interest will include sports, agriculture, economic growth, trade, border protection, business, and education. The possible twinning of the cities of Canberra, the capital of Australia, and Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, were also on the agenda (i.e. called twin towns or sister cities). Sister City relationships are twinning arrangements that build friendships as well as government, business, culture, and community linkages. Canberra currently has international Sister City relationships with Beijing in China and Nara in Japan. One example of existing...

flags worldJanuary 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM
The Flag Of Sudan is an image of both the Sudanese public and their fortitude with the remainder of the Bedouin world. The Sudan flag continues in the strides of a few verifiable flags, including two that were related with unfamiliar countries as opposed to the Sudanese public. The cutting edge flag of Sudan isn't the main flag that has addressed the country since it acquired its full freedom from unfamiliar impact, yet it doesn't show areas of strength for a from any verifiable Sudan flag.

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