Change in Power

Well I should have expected this since the country is only 2 years old but when it did happen it took me by surprise.  The President here made a big change and removed his vice-president, ministers and some police officials.

I was at a conference on Tuesday, for our farmers for which I was facilitating several sections regarding working as a group and co-operatives.  When we arrived in the town, the group heard that the President had removed his executive board and VP, I then received a call from my office in Juba to confirm what had happened.  They suggested that we not travel really early in the morning but they said that everything should be fine.  Of course this was the subject of discussion for the evening and all of the farmers were subdued and one of the people I was with knew several people at the ministry and kept trying to get information to no avail.

Early Wednesday morning, I received an email from the US Embassy (I had registered that I was living in South Sudan with the US Embassy so I receive email alerts) regarding the situation.  According to the Embassy things were currently calm but the Embassy was going to be closed until 10am that morning and the staff was to only travel for essential business.  I heard from friends that the UN had told their staff to stay home until the situation was assessed.  The military was out in the streets but that was more to ensure that nothing did happen and to ensure that no one went into the ministry buildings.

By the end of the day nothing had happened and everything was calm, as I expected.  While I am glad that everyone took the situation seriously and that this has not turned into an Arab Spring, I think that the people here are really looking for peace and really just want development throughout the country.

According to the follow-up email messages that I have received from the US Embassy, everything is normal throughout the country but there is an earlier evening curfew for the Embassy staff. Normally the Embassy staff and UN staff need to be back at the compound by around midnight during the week but that has now been moved to 8pm.  They have also put a hold on all non-essential travel for their staff.  It seems as if we everyone is just in a wait and see pattern but as of yet nothing is happening.

Everyone who was let go by the President last week is calling for their supporters to maintain peace and  for them to show their support during the next election.  So far it is refreshing that there has not been a call for a return to tribal or ethnic rivalries.  I hope that this continues.

While I know that most of you are watching both the international and domestic media about South Sudan but please remember that it is the job of the media to sell stories.  The things that they report are usually over exaggerated so please don't worry.  Remember that I am 5 hours away from the capital so if you see something that is happening in Juba it does not mean that it is going to effect me in Torit.