" ... 1.2m large animals ... no cattle, no people, no human footprints at all ... a single track cutting across an area the size of the Netherlands ..." (Economist Article)

Is anyone from the hunting community getting involved in this? SCI? John Jackson?

We must not let this opportunity slip away!

I personally know a man who spent quite a bit of time and money in Southern Sudan exploring the option of a hunting operation. He finally left frustrated and said the politics would make it completely unfeasible to run a hunting operation. His opinion was you can thank the UN and the misc. aid foundations for that.

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
I personally know a man who spent quite a bit of time and money in Southern Sudan exploring the option of a hunting operation. He finally left frustrated and said the politics would make it completely unfeasible to run a hunting operation. His opinion was you can thank the UN and the misc. aid foundations for that.

Who?

http://paanluelwel2011.wordpre...food-security-study/

I recently read of an American who has locked up over 1 Million Hectares...

This is a real mess - hunting is going to take a distant second place to this!

JW

quote:

Originally posted by SteveGl:

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
I personally know a man who spent quite a bit of time and money in Southern Sudan exploring the option of a hunting operation. He finally left frustrated and said the politics would make it completely unfeasible to run a hunting operation. His opinion was you can thank the UN and the misc. aid foundations for that.

Who?

505 Gibbs, I'd like to talk to this guy. I have a good reason. If you want to PM me, that's fine. Thanks.

Steve,

A good friend of mine has been in South Sudan recently exploring hunting opportunity. He currently hunts the Karamoja in Uganda which borders S. Sudan. His name is Nigel Theisen...I can get you in contact with him.

That would be great, J.

PM me or email me at Gluck@FAS.Harvard.edu if you'd like.

Thanks.

danny maccallum used to work for david ommany back in the late 70's in the sudan

http://allafrica.com/stories/201203121290.html



The Citizen (Juba)



South Sudan: Government, USAID Inaugurate Boma National Park Headquarter

By Lagu Joseph Jackson, 10 March 2012


Boma — The Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism Gabriel Changson Chang, the Ambassador of United States of America to South Sudan Susan Page, and the Governor of Jonglei State Kuol Manyang Juuk last Thursday launched Boma National Park Headquarters in Pibor County of Jonglei State.

The occasion was attended by three national ministers, the British ambassador and other top Government officials from both National and State levels.

In his addressing remarks, Changson said South Sudan has a window of opportunity to establish the foundation for world class wildlife conservation and protected area system that will be a source of pride for the country.

"The opening of Boma National Park Headquarters marked a significant step in building this new Nation of South Sudan and the ministry is very grateful to USAID for funding through Wildlife Conservation Society WCS , the building of this headquarters' office in addition to Badingilo headquarters are posted at strategic locations in and around the National parks".

Boma National park, with its wildlife and scenic attractions has great potential to be a major driving force for economic development, providing local communities with employment benefits from protected area management programs and tourism enterprises, as well as stabilizing these areas.

Boma National park was established in in 1983, covers 28,000 km square of woodland savanna and grassland in Jonglei, Eastern Equatoria State, it protects one of the largest intact ecosystems in East Africa containing distinctive wildlife species.

He said escalating commercial poaching linked to widespread firearms, general insecurity, inadequate regulatory framework for natural resource management, and lack of infrastructure, both in terms of roads and tourism accommodation facilities are the major challenges facing the tourism industry in South Sudan.

The ministry with its technical partner, the Wildlife Conservation Society with funding from USAID has been working to address these challenges, by developing a functioning protected areas network in South Sudan that will form the bases for sustainable economic growth and wildlife conservation.

Meanwhile, Governor Kuol applauded the National government, WCS and US Government for making conservation and natural resources management a vital part of their Nation's building core agenda.

He said land classification and gazetting, re-settlement of wildlife migration corridors, habitats protection in addition to resettlement of people living in the habitats and provision of basic social services such as schools, water, health facilities and roads are the key priorities for consideration for intervention by the Government.

Training and capacity building of the institutions and personnel dealing with protection of wildlife and environmental conservation, enlightenment of communities living in wildlife habitats and development of animal and poaching tracking techniques needs to be conducted.

The State government will continue to cooperate with all the development partners to develop the sector so that the species that left the country during the war may trickle back to their natural habitats, particularly after completion of the comprehensive disarmament of civil population which began last week.

The Ambassador of US Susan Page said the US Government has been and will continue to work with the Government of South Sudan, the Wildlife Conservation Society and local communities in Boma National park to protect this national treasure, creating partnerships to improve security for wildlife and local communities in remote areas.

"We are working directly with communities who are closest to the wildlife and benefit directly from its protection, to achieve common goals of creating sustainable livelihoods, resolving conflicts by enhancing community security and addressing many root causes of ongoing conflicts such as access to water and land," Page stated.

Interesting and thanks for this, Kathi. Boma is the area of the bigger-than-Masai-Mara migration of white-eared kob once the rains fall in April-May. Amb. Page's reference to "sustainable livelihoods" will be a red flag to the antis, but they may take comfort in her reference to wildlife "protection."

Regards, Tim

There are multiple good operators exploring/investigating/negotiating (pick your word) in southern Sudan. Some of it is a wasteland, some of it is very good. My opinion is that it will open, and with it will come some great opportunities for plains game (mostly races and subspecies) that haven't been available in 30 years. Buffalo will be limited, lion moreso but possible, elephant very unlikely. But it's going to take some time...these things are like fine wine, they can't be rushed...but some of the best (and probably some of the worst) in the business are working to make it happen. Speculation will only make their job more difficult, honest!

http://www.france24.com/en/201...president-kiir-quit/



South Sudan ‘coup leader’ calls for removal of president


© AFP
Video by Kyle G. BROWN
Text by FRANCE 24

Latest update : 2013-12-19
South Sudan’s former Vice President Riek Machar, accused of staging last week’s attempted coup to overthrow President Salva Kiir, on Thursday told FRANCE 24’s sister station RFI that he has called on the army to remove the country’s leader.

"He has to leave because he cannot unite the people, and he kills them like flies,” Machar said in the interview. “So I have appealed to the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) and the SPLA (Sudan People’s Liberation Army) to remove Salva Kiir from the leadership of the country.”

The two politicians have locked horns since July, when then-vice president Machar was fired along with a string of other cabinet members. Machar responded by criticizing the leader’s track record and declaring his intention to run for president in the 2015 election.

The latest alleged coup attempt marks a significant development in a dramatic life shaped by the conflict and bloodshed that has haunted this troubled part of Africa.

On Sunday, fighting suddenly erupted in the capital of Juba between troops loyal to the two men, ending with Machar fleeing the scene with his fighters.

Since then, several clashes have rocked the world’s youngest nation and have prompted many civilians to seek shelter, especially around the central city of Bor, which has been overrun by troops loyal to Machar.

While Kiir yesterday stated he is ready to negotiate with his now arch-enemy, Machar told RFI that he is only prepared to discuss one thing: Kiir’s departure.

In the interview, Machar said he wants to avoid a civil war, favouring a peaceful solution to the conflict, but expressed a desire for a “palace revolution” in which the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement) would force out the sitting head of state.

This scenario remains highly hypothetical, with Kiir appearing to have the bulk of support on the ground—but Machar is far from isolated.

Politically, Machar is backed by a faction of the army and has also joined forces with former warlord Peter Gadet, whose fighters recently forced Kiir’s soldiers out of Bor.

So far, the unrest appears to have spread to five of the country’s 10 states.

What looks to be a decisive factor in the conflict, however, is the attitude of Dinka military members, certain of whom no longer support Kiir.

But the influence of the Kenyan, Ethiopian and Ugandan diplomats, who are set to arrive in Juba to attempt mediation between the two men, should not be underestimated.

What is clear, however, is that Machar is not ready to give in. Unless Kiir leaves the presidency, Machar could repeat the experience of 1991, when he staged a failed coup against the founder of SPLM, John Garang, and some of his commanders, including Kiir.

The factional fighting between South Sudanese fighters reached a bloody peak in the mid-1990s, crushing hopes of a unified struggle against President Omar Bashir's government in Khartoum.

Those hopes were dashed in 1997, when Machar signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement, making him an assistant to Bashir in a stunning reversal of loyalties.

(FRANCE 24 with RFI)

Date created : 2013-12-19

http://www.news24.com/Africa/N...South-Sudan-20131221


US military aircraft hit in South Sudan
2013-12-21 20:18



Kampala - Rebel fire hit two US military aircraft responding to the outbreak in violence in South Sudan on Saturday, wounding three US service members and heavily damaging at least one of the aircraft, officials said. South Sudan blamed the attack on renegade troops in control of the breakaway region.

The US military aircraft were heading to Bor, the capital of the state of Jonglei and scene of some of the nation's worst violence over the last week.

One American service member was reported to be in critical condition. Officials said after the aircraft took incoming fire, they turned around and headed to Kampala, Uganda.

From there the service members were flown on to Nairobi, Kenya for medical treatment, the officials said.

Both officials demanded anonymity to share information not yet made public. Both officials work in East Africa and are in a position to know the information.

It was not immediately known what the US aircraft were doing in Bor. One official said it appeared the aircraft were Ospreys, the type of aircraft that can fly like a helicopter and a plane.

Officials at the US military's Africa Command did not immediately answer phone calls or e-mails on Saturday.

South Sudan's military spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, said that government troops are not in control of Bor, so the attack on the US aircraft has to be blamed on renegade soldiers, he said.

"Bor is under the control of the forces of Riek Machar," Aguer said.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, said this week that an attempted coup triggered the violence now pulsing through South Sudan. He blamed the former vice president, Machar, an ethnic Nuer. But officials have since said a fight between Dinka and Nuer members of the presidential guard triggered the initial violence late on Sunday night. Machar's ouster from the country's No 2 political position earlier this year had stoked ethnic tensions.

Threat of civil war

The violence has killed hundreds and has world leaders worried that a full-blown civil war could ignite in South Sudan.

The south fought a decades-long war with Sudan before a 2005 peace deal resulted in a 2011 referendum that saw South Sudan break away from the north, taking most of the region's oil wealth with it.

An International Crisis Group expert on South Sudan told AP on Friday that rebels have taken control of at least some of South Sudan's oil fields, an issue that could bring Sudan into the conflict. South Sudan's oil flows north through Sudan's pipelines, providing Khartoum with much needed income.

The UN Security Council on Friday said the weeklong violence resulted from a "political dispute among the country's political leaders" that could affect not only South Sudan, but neighbouring countries and the entire region.

US President Barack Obama earlier this week dispatched US troops to help protect the US Embassy in the capital, Juba.

The US Embassy organised at least five emergency evacuation flights to help US citizens leave the country. Other countries like Britain, Germany and Italy also helped citizens evacuate.

- AP

Why am I not surprised.

quote:

There are multiple good operators exploring/investigating/negotiating (pick your word) in southern Sudan.

They just might be having second thoughts at this moment

http://www.xinhuanet.com/engli...3/06/c_137020350.htm



South Sudan bans wildlife hunting
Source: Xinhua 2018-03-06 21:25:35

JUBA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Tuesday banned all forms of wildlife hunting, including commercial trade in wildlife trophies, the country's conservation agency said Tuesday.

The ministry of wildlife conservation and tourism banned wildlife products such as skin, meat, fur, bird feathers, among others.

According to the directive, any person caught dealing with wildlife products shall be arrested, prosecuted and those found guilty would face a two-year jailed term or fines.

Thomas Sebit, deputy spokesman of the ministry of wildlife conservation and tourism, told Xinhua that the ban seeks to clamp down on poaching of wild animals in the country's national parks.

He said the government recently noticed increased poaching of gazelles, buffaloes and elephants by armed groups and civilians across the country.

"There are people who are holding guns, they go to the national parks and kill our animals randomly not discriminating whether old or young. You get cooked bush meat in hotels and being sold in markets openly," Sebit said.

War-torn South Sudan has the world's second largest animal migration and is considered a good place for ecotourism, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

The East African country is also known for its vast swamp region of the Sudd, sometimes referred to as one of the largest wetlands in the world hosting about 400 species of birds.

However, the tourism industry made up only 1.8 percent of South Sudan's GDP, WTTC said in 2013.

"We are urging our citizens to respect the law. These are animals for us and will help us in the future when well managed to boost our economy," Sebit appealed.

A shame

This area could be “the last best place”

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:
A shame

This area could be “the last best place”

Not going to happen and the NGOs will destroy it. The last male Northern Rhino is about to be extinct any day now.

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
I personally know a man who spent quite a bit of time and money in Southern Sudan exploring the option of a hunting operation. He finally left frustrated and said the politics would make it completely unfeasible to run a hunting operation. His opinion was you can thank the UN and the misc. aid foundations for that.

Totally agreed!

The bloody UN and the aid organizations have done nothing but ruin Africa!

The UN never did anything when the CIA was using UN marked planes to support anti communist revolutionaries who took over and destroyed their countries.

I have been traveling in and out of South Sudan regularly since 2010. Most of the time I am in country is spent in Juba (capital), but I occasionally get out to Yai, Bor, and other smaller towns.

Since the most recent civil war erupted (December 2013), the wildlife populations have been getting decimated (again). The same thing has happened on and off for the past 50 years though as South Sudan has entered into a series of on again - off again wars with the north (The Sudan) in its original fight for independence, and and internal tribal wars where factions have fought each other for control of resources and land.

I thought at one time John Garang would get things sorted out there.. almost immediately after his death things began to spiral in the wrong direction...

A good friend of mine is an attorney working on the peace accords on behalf of the elected South Sudanese government.. He reports that he believes there is a real chance at peace by this summer.. Supposedly delegates of both major parties are going to be in Ethiopia for the next round of peace talks and potential signature of the peace accord as early as April...

After that.. who knows what the future looks like..

10 years ago the US was the largest investor both materially and politically from what I could tell just walking around Juba.. with Canada and a couple of EU countries also having a pretty significant presence.. But even then that was rapidly changing.. More and more Chinese were showing up (both businesses and government).. and playing a much more significant role in influencing the South Sudanese future..

By 2013, right before the fighting began, the Chinese had likely surpassed the US in terms of investment in business and resources.. although the US and the UK still likely had the most "advisors" and highest levels of influence inside major government agencies, to include the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Commerce, etc..

Since the fighting started back up, its hard to tell who is working where now.. A lot of companies packed up and went home.. others just stayed in place but began laying low.. a lot of US and EU government actions consolidated under the new IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) / African Union (AU) "Peace and Security Council", and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)..

The one constant in Juba though is that there is no constant.. what is a rule or a law today may be completely reversed tomorrow.. They are a fledgling country, still trying to find their way, heavily influenced by outside governments, that has been in a fairly constant state of armed conflict for over 50 years, with very few short breaks in the fighting...

They really only have one valuable natural resource... oil.. but are inhibited by the fact that they are a land locked country, and its only current pipeline runs north through The Sudan, a country they fought for their independence from, who taxes the hell out of them on every drop that passes through their country...

All of that said... Im not completely giving up on the future of hunting in South Sudan.. IF they can get to a point where they arent constantly shooting at one another for a few years.. and IF someone can educate key leaders in their government about how hunting can contribute to conservation, and IF they can be convinced there is money to be made in allowing the activity.... I would say there is a very good chance that we could see the government turn 180 degrees from its current position.. in quite literally a very short period of time..

I wonder whatever happened to Nile Safaris. They operated there back in '83 when I was there.

quote:

Originally posted by ijl:
I wonder whatever happened to Nile Safaris. They operated there back in '83 when I was there.

Long gone. It has gone to shit compared to those days!

At the end of the day - and this is only a little tongue in cheek - the CIA has done a lot more for the civilised world than the UN has or ever will.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
I personally know a man who spent quite a bit of time and money in Southern Sudan exploring the option of a hunting operation. He finally left frustrated and said the politics would make it completely unfeasible to run a hunting operation. His opinion was you can thank the UN and the misc. aid foundations for that.

Totally agreed!

The bloody UN and the aid organizations have done nothing but ruin Africa!

The UN never did anything when the CIA was using UN marked planes to support anti communist revolutionaries who took over and destroyed their countries.

I also remember the OLD Juba hotel,
which friends tell me is no more.Lazy celiling fans, fez-capped and djellaba-clad waiters. Sterling silver cutlery.
Even in 1983.

It was one of the stops of the old British Imperial Airways flying boats,
and you half got the impression when I was there that everybody was just waiting for the next flying boat. Perhaps Rod Serling was in the Manager's office.

That is a part of Africa that is fast-receding, and that I miss.

I had a look at the Nimule National Park for Northern White Rhino, but I didn't see any.
I had to get a photography permit in a government office in Juba, and there was a "promotional tourist calendar"on the wall.
In black and white newsprint.
It's concession to Nimule was a rotting carcass, captioned "A Dead Elephant in the Nimule National Park.

But I enjoyed Sudan immensely.

quote:

Originally posted by Safari2:

quote:

Originally posted by ijl:
I wonder whatever happened to Nile Safaris. They operated there back in '83 when I was there.

Long gone. It has gone to shit compared to those days!

quote:

Originally posted by ijl:
I also remember the OLD Juba hotel,
which friends tell me is no more.Lazy celiling fans, fez-capped and djellaba-clad waiters. Sterling silver cutlery.
Even in 1983.

They tried to replicate it with the "Juba Grand".. but failed miserably..

The grand has adequate housing, with reasonable meals, and a friendly enough staff..

But it is a far cry from the luxury of yesteryear..

Juba does have a few paved roads now though.. so.. I guess thats an improvement... (although most are still dirt, many stay washed out for months after the rainy season has already gone, etc..etc..)..

My favorite place to stay is the AFEX camp on the outskirts of town, on the banks of the nile.. There isnt anything luxurious about it at all.. but housing is like the Juba Grand (adequate), the food is good, the staff are helpful and friendly, they have a very nice little bar that overlooks the river called "D'Nile", they keep the beer cold, and there is a reasonable expat population that stays there year round, etc..etc..

quote:

Originally posted by mdwest:
I have been traveling in and out of South Sudan regularly since 2010. Most of the time I am in country is spent in Juba (capital), but I occasionally get out to Yai, Bor, and other smaller towns.

Since the most recent civil war erupted (December 2013), the wildlife populations have been getting decimated (again). The same thing has happened on and off for the past 50 years though as South Sudan has entered into a series of on again - off again wars with the north (The Sudan) in its original fight for independence, and and internal tribal wars where factions have fought each other for control of resources and land.

I thought at one time John Garang would get things sorted out there.. almost immediately after his death things began to spiral in the wrong direction...

A good friend of mine is an attorney working on the peace accords on behalf of the elected South Sudanese government.. He reports that he believes there is a real chance at peace by this summer.. Supposedly delegates of both major parties are going to be in Ethiopia for the next round of peace talks and potential signature of the peace accord as early as April...

After that.. who knows what the future looks like..

10 years ago the US was the largest investor both materially and politically from what I could tell just walking around Juba.. with Canada and a couple of EU countries also having a pretty significant presence.. But even then that was rapidly changing.. More and more Chinese were showing up (both businesses and government).. and playing a much more significant role in influencing the South Sudanese future..

By 2013, right before the fighting began, the Chinese had likely surpassed the US in terms of investment in business and resources.. although the US and the UK still likely had the most "advisors" and highest levels of influence inside major government agencies, to include the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Commerce, etc..

Since the fighting started back up, its hard to tell who is working where now.. A lot of companies packed up and went home.. others just stayed in place but began laying low.. a lot of US and EU government actions consolidated under the new IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) / African Union (AU) "Peace and Security Council", and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)..

The one constant in Juba though is that there is no constant.. what is a rule or a law today may be completely reversed tomorrow.. They are a fledgling country, still trying to find their way, heavily influenced by outside governments, that has been in a fairly constant state of armed conflict for over 50 years, with very few short breaks in the fighting...

They really only have one valuable natural resource... oil.. but are inhibited by the fact that they are a land locked country, and its only current pipeline runs north through The Sudan, a country they fought for their independence from, who taxes the hell out of them on every drop that passes through their country...

All of that said... Im not completely giving up on the future of hunting in South Sudan.. IF they can get to a point where they arent constantly shooting at one another for a few years.. and IF someone can educate key leaders in their government about how hunting can contribute to conservation, and IF they can be convinced there is money to be made in allowing the activity.... I would say there is a very good chance that we could see the government turn 180 degrees from its current position.. in quite literally a very short period of time..

Would it not be great if the USA working with the African Union could get a pipeline built tho the cost through Kenya to sell that oil to Europe wereby putting the pressure, dare I say screws, to Russia.

A southern pipeline has been planned for at least 10 years (maybe longer?).. the intent was to take the oil due south through Uganda, then east through Kenya to the coast..

No one can seem to get the deal done though.. every time they think the pipeline project is "on" again.. within a couple of months they hit another roadblock and its "off" again..

Just imagine if in the last ten years we had a Presidential Administration with 4 brain cells that functioned and had an eye and care for Africa.

At least Bypush younger put his Administration’s money where the liberal’s mouth was and made productive strides on AIDES in Southern Africa. Only to be abandoned by the Obama Administration.

Just shows how racist and uncaring, not to mention, globally stupid progressive left is.

The problem President Trump is no Theadore Roosevelt when it comes to projecting US influence and power aboard. And like the Obama Administration, President Trump could care less about Africa or the geo-political game the Chinese and Russians are playing.

I am sorry for the vent. However, I believe every word is true. One may disagree and I support said person in doing so..

Seems quite volatile at this time...

Lots in the news. As Capstick wrote: "Safari: The Ultimate Adventure" but you may get more.than you signed up for.

It is not so much a Trump problem, but a US political problem. We surrender Africa.

The British surrendered Africa...along with Belgium and France. The USA was never a heavy lifter in Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
The British surrendered Africa...along with Belgium and France. The USA was never a heavy lifter in Africa.

That is my point. The US was the only nation-state that could have put its thumb on the scale when domino theory played out across Africa in the late 70s into the 80s. US Administrations ignored it.

How would Zimbabwe be different if, I believe, Carter would have recognized the compromise government hammered together by Ian Smith. Carter did not lift sanctions and the die was cast.

I am America first kind of guy. However, America first in my mind does not mean isolation. It means projecting American interests and political goals aboard.

When the US is not lifting then China is doing the lifting. I compare it to the Freat Game between Britain and Russia in the 20th century. The difference is US refuses to play.

Voters never cared, so Administration le never care.