Saving South Sudan
In February of 2014, journalist Robert Young Pelton and photojournalist Tim Freccia traveled to South Sudan to seek out the causes of the rapidly escalating conflict. Sudan has been contested by rival forces for centuries. The Arab north took advantage of the black southern Christian. Early in the eighties, oil was discovered, the conflict increased in intensity. Ultimately, after decades of conflict, both sides realized they needed to find a resolution to take advantage of the black market.
In July of 2011, South Sudan finally gained independence and became the world’s newest country. The majority Dinka tribe was represented by the former military commander and current president Salva Kiir Mayardit. The second largest ethnic group, the Nuer, was represented by Dr. Riek Machar Teny, he was appointed Vice President.
Things were progressing for South Sudan, and now it possessed an official government. It was in harmony with its Northern neighbor and both were excited by the anticipated flow of oil and other natural resources. However, on December 15th, 2013, everything came to an abrupt end.
The conflict in South Sudan had spread to the capital, Juba, following a reported attempt at a coup. President Salva Kiir immediately accused his former Vice President of instigating the conflict. The attempted coup is said to have originated within the presidential guard. After the conflict, Dinka soldiers and militia targeted Nuer soldiers and civilians. Within a few months, over a thousand people had died… the majority of them were the Nuer.
The following day, President Salva Kiir sent soldiers and a tank to overwhelm Riek Machar’s residence. Fortunately, Dr. Machar and his wife Angelina had escaped the night before. To outsiders, it appeared just like another obstacle on the road to success. Except Riek Machar intended to resist and he would resist in a way that would propel South Sudan into another conflict.
Robert Young Pelton wanted to locate Dr. Riek Machar and obtain his perspective. As a result, he collaborated with photographer and filmmaker Tim Freccia, as well as inviting his friend Machot Lat Thiep, a former lost boy and Nuer child soldier, to return to his homeland in South Sudan.
