Word: sudan
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...Sudan...
Votes were cast in Sudan's first multiparty elections since 1986, held in accordance with a 2005 peace agreement that ended the nation's 22-year civil war. The landmark occasion was tainted, however, by accusations of vote rigging by supporters of President (and accused war criminal) Omar al-Bashir, leading many opposition parties to drop out of the race...
...parties, citing abuse, intimidation and violation of electoral law. (On April 6 a spokesman for the State Department hinted the U.S. favored postponing the vote until a more meaningful contest could take place.) And while every aid project is asked whether the money is being well spent, in southern Sudan there is a scandal over it not being used at all. In 2005, the world set up a $526 million Southern Sudan Multi-Donor Trust Fund, administered by the World Bank, to pay for roads, running water, agriculture, health and education for the south's 8-9 million people...
...Does southern Sudan have any hope of working? "I can't say the U.S. was ready when it got independence," notes Carter. Gressly argues South Sudan doesn't have to be fully formed at first, particularly if the global mission to build it continues, as he expects, for "10 to 15 to 20 years." And despite the World Bank holdup, there is progress. Juba may not look like much, but at least it looks like something. "There used to be nothing," says Itto. Some point to the Carter Center's spectacular recent advances in its fight against Guinea worm...
...single working health program is hardly a foundation for a nation. But however dim the prospects of an independent South Sudan, any alternative is hard to contemplate. It was war that shattered the south. Denying it independence, especially at this late stage, would mean more fighting. Announcing his new Sudan strategy, Obama said: "It will not be easy and there are no simple answers to the extraordinary challenges that confront this part of the world." War used to be Khartoum's answer to many of Sudan's challenges. That things are becoming more complicated is a reason for hope...