From the author: It is the giant of Africa: This country once represented the best hope for peaceful coexistence of Arabs and Africans, Muslims and Christians. This hope seemed to be dashed. Sudan’s promise is an illusion.
It is already a fragmented country, and in the long run it may not be an isolated issue of a divided north and south after the secession referendum.
Separatist movements in areas like Darfur and the Nuba Mountains are watching, not just curious. And it’s not just Sudan: In other African and Arab countries, pro-independence factions are watching developments to get past the ballot box or at gunpoint.
On the eve of the referendum, I traveled to Sudan to make this film. I have been fortunate enough to visit most countries in the world in my lifetime, but this will be my first time stepping foot in the largest country in Africa.
It may be a cliché to say that the people of Northern Sudan are very friendly, but it is also true. Shortly after we arrived in Khartoum our rental car broke down and we soon found ourselves surrounded by young people trying to figure out what was wrong and fix it. No one is looking for money; they help naturally, and this is just one of the many examples we will find in the coming weeks.
Unfortunately, I also discovered self-delusion: in cafes, restaurants, and on the streets, the vast majority of people I spoke to were desperately convinced that it was not too late and that the South would definitely never leave the Union. it will.
