The mountainous region of Jebel Marra, locally referred to as a “liberated area”, is the traditional homeland of the rebel insurgency which kick-started the war in Darfur. Almost entirely surrounded by enemy militias, the people here, known as the Fur tribe, are completely dependent on outside aid for survival.
The Episcopal Church in Rumbek celebrates Easter Week and a few very significant church re-openings.
In the Upper Nile region, outside the port-town of Malakal, the White Nile river forms a boundary between the Shilook kingdom and the Jonglei State. In the not-so-distant-past the river also formed a geographic battle line between government-backed militias and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Our boat captain Joseph spoke of when he was a boy growing up along these banks and “the river flowed with bodies”. Apparently the militias would cross over to raid villages, indiscriminately kill innocent people and toss the bodies into the river. But today this river represents hope. Those like Joseph, who fled as young children, are now returning in great number to re-settle along the fertile banks. They are planting crops, grazing animals and re-starting their communities from scratch.
