What in the World

Still Birth – South Sudan’s still birth (8x3)

Air date: Dec 15, 2014

On 9 July 2011, South Sudan was born on a wave of hope and promise. The liberation of South Sudan from years of oppression and genocide was greeted by throngs of cheering, dancing, singing people as cars tooted horns, churches rang bells, fireworks lit up the night sky and a new clock tower announced: “Free at last.” The newest country in the world came into existence but its birth was stilled in violence and corruption that has not brought any reprieve to the people of South Sudan. The film will chronicle South Sudan’s rapid descent into chaos and will attempt to understand how and why this happened. It will report on the legacy issues of the genocide in Djharfur and it will also examine the role that international players, particularly China and the United States, played in the creation of the world’s newest state and whether it is possible in the short-term for the distressed people of South Sudan to experience some alleviation of the nightmare that has gripped their country.