The government is buying time, the opposition is wasting it and the human costs are mounting
The opposition National Democratic Alliance has spent months giving a free run to the ruling National Islamic Front. But this is a lull in the conflict, not a stalemate. The government tells Western and Arab companies and governments that it's staying in power and is open for business. The NDA spoils its own chances by appearing to be about to do a deal with the NIF and by failing the political and military tests of a government-in-waiting.
This month, as the international media began noticing the famine in Bahr el Ghazal, the SPLA leader, Colonel John Garang, was touring in Eastern Equatoria. Bordering Kenya and Ugan...
The coup plot trial has brought some military divisions to the surface
The death sentences handed down on 28 April to six convicted coup plotters - all from the Yoruba south-west - will do little to settle the unease in the military about General Sani...