Southern Sudan: The forgotten war

Synopsis

Southern Sudan is emerging from a 21 1/2 year devastating war which has been relatively overlooked and forgotten by the world at large, due to the focus on Darfur. This documentary will introduce the viewer to the background of this war, the long struggle to freedom, the peace agreement and the massive undertaking of rebuilding this new country. With access to top government and military officials, this documentary will interview key players who made the decisions and sacrifices which have brought about the current peace situation. Persons such as: Rebecca de Mabior (Late freedom fighter and first Southern President Dr John Garang's wife), President Salva Kiir, Vice President Riek Machar, Pa'gan Amum (SPLM Secretary General), James Hoth Mai (Chief of Staff), Deng Alor (Foreign Affairs Minister), Oyai Deng Ajak (Minister for Regional Cooperation), Kuol Manyang Juuk (Governor Jonglei State) and many others... This documentary will use these first hand eye witness accounts, photographs and footage of Southern Sudan's 10 states to describe the situation in the past and present aswell as express their hopes for the future with the upcoming referendum in 2011. The fight for self determination has ended, the fight for development has begun and this task is certainly greater. With an estimated population of 12.5 million in Southern Sudan and a constant influx of the diaspora returning, this has added to the pressure of this fledging and inexperienced government, mostly made up of generals and military personnel. Infrastructure such as roads, water, sanitation, electricity and so on are mostly non-existent in Southern Sudan (excepting the capital Juba) which has limited capacity. Education, medical care, judiciary system, social welfare and a "working" bureaucracy system are needed to improve the living conditions of its citizens - however - is still a long way off being a reality. This will be an honest account of the history of Southern Sudan, told by the people who have lived it. It will be an opportunity for many to tell their stories and we are committed to presenting this particular story as honestly and unpolluted as possible. Showing the human side of war, the sacrifice made by families for a greater cause and the influence of a small but committed group who have inspired their people to fight for 21 1/2 years, who have changed history and changed their nation. This film will also follow the work of Door of Hope Australia, whose next project will help communities in four communities (Malakal, Yambio, Nasir and Bor) in Southern Sudan rebuild.