South Sudan struggles to keep promises to citizens

Sudan said it would resume talks over oil transit fees with South Sudan in the next two weeks after the two sides failed to reach a deal in the latest round of negotiations. The African Union's security council yesterday appealed to the two nations to stay committed to reaching a "fair" agreement.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July, in includes most of the once-unified nation’s oil supply, but it relies on pipelines in the North to transport the crude to an export outlet on the Red Sea. Oil money is expected to help raise living standards in the country, which are among the lowest in the world, especially for the women in the country.

“Already in the Constitution they have some encouraging things – they’ve guaranteed that girls have the right to go to primary school, they’ve said that one-third of the government jobs should be filled by females,” said Sr. Marilyn Lacey, the Executive Director of the charitable organization Mercy Beyond Borders. “These are really important steps. I don’t think they are being implemented yet, but these things take time.”

Sister Lacey urged authorities to also formulate policies that will safeguard young girls against cultural practices like early and forced marriages.

“I think if a policy was made that no girl could be married before they age of 18, that would be very, very helpful – giving girls a chance to finish secondary school,” she said. “Secondly, if there was a limit on the price of the dowry…that would help a lot. Its great for the large family, and its terrible for the girl.”

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