Bahr El Ghazal, Central Sudan. SPLA 3rd Battalion march to the beat of drums. Within the group are women and child soldiers.
For 21 years, my country Sudan was home to Africas longest running conflict. Over two million people died, everyone was touched in some way. The children we will meet in this film were born in war and have lived in war for all their lives.
Nightfall at the Simba Lodge Naivasha where the Government of Sudan and SPLM are about to put pen to paper on 3 final peace protocols.
In May 2004, at peace talks in Naivasha, Kenya, our government and SPLM leaders finally agree on a way forward for peace. Its taken two years of negotiation to get this far. And even as they shake hands, news of violence in Darfur casts a shadow over the celebrations.
Representatives from the two parties shake hands as Ali Osman Taha and John Garang exchange copies of the final peace protocols.
While the experts tell us the agreement is far from perfect, it is the best chance weve had in years to bring peace to our land.
Dr John Garang, Chairman SPLM. He is elated and enjoying the spotlight.
SYNC
The first task lying ahead of us is reconciliation, reconciliation between adversaries, so that we can definitely say farewell to arms all over the Sudan.
Vice President Ali Osman Taha, the morning after the late night agreement. After many months, he is leaving the hotel to report back to Khartoum.
SYNC
we have managed to achieve peace and we hope that by signing the protocols of peace we will be able to set a new horizon for our country. For a better future.
He is driven away in his vice-presidential Mercedes.
Nyadin, Upper Nile, a few days later. Two teenage boys climb into their dug-out canoe, skipping off from school to check their nets.
Michael was recruited into the SPLA at the age of ten. After four years working as an officers guard, he returned home in 2002.
Thousands of other children continue to serve in the military despite promises from both sides to end their involvement in the conflict
Michael sits making a new net outside a simple tukul house.
SYNC
I cant say many good things about my life. My story so far hasnt been that great. My father left me to join the army. He was killed during the first war. My mother also died when I was young. Life has been difficult without my parents.
We cut back to see the boys progress on the river, the wind is strong and progress is slow. They finally make their first catch of the day a good sized perch is clubbed over the head and tossed into the back of the dug-out.
SYNC
We go fishing because food is scarce here. Clothes and shoes are also hard to find. I check my net for fish. If I catch two I can bring one home and sell the other. Then I buy myself clothes like the ones Im wearing now.
We cut back again and see Michaels new flip flops and second hand Manchester United shorts. He doesnt have a clue who Manchester United are.
I also give food to my brothers wife. My brother raised me. Hes a soldier. Hes the one who built the house but hes left now. He wasnt here when I was recruited into the army. Hes in the north now.
The army wasnt good. It was hard work but at least there was food. The soldiers collected food from people so it was good for an orphan like me.
Back on the river we see Michael and his friend Andrew working together to remove weeks from their nets. Andrew jumps into the water while Michael steadies the canoe.
SYNC
I like Andrew. We were thrown together and became friends. His dad is old and infirm and cant do things for himself. He went to speak with the chiefs and they gave him a canoe. Andrew and I share the canoe and we work as colleagues and friends.
When they become educated, people can help in other ways. If there is still fighting they can help the injured. They can think for the people who are fighting.
I would like to learn more. If you are educated you have access to knowledge. You will know how the world is and what the future holds.
Michael and Andrew paddle back to shore with their days catch of two fish. A meagre reward for four hours work.
CUT to Bahr el Ghazal, where under the flag of the New Sudan we pick up the marching soldiers from the opening shot. We see that they are being followed by the whole community in celebration.
For the first time in years, soldiers are marching for peace and not for war.
The soldiers are on their way to a rally to celebrate the signing of the peace protocols, in the muzzles of their AK47s, some soldiers have stuffed plastic flowers. A local spear doctor leads the shouts as Commander Paul Malong steps up to address the crowd.
Commander Paul Malong, SPLA
SYNC
It is because of our sacrifices made over the last 21 years of struggle and the blood of 2.5 million lives lost that we have succeeded in this great achievement.
Hopes for a lasting peace are high, but many of us still remember the broken promises of the past.
The soldiers march out, their drums fading into the distance.
Cut to
El Salaam camp, home to almost 100,000 war displaced people on the outskirts of Khartoum, an apocalyptic scene of demolished houses and temporary huts. El Salaam was built as a temporary camp over twenty years ago.
If peace does hold it will give millions of people the chance to return home. Sudan has the highest number of displaced people in the world. About 4 million ran from the fighting in the south; a further 2 million have fled Darfur.
Inside one structure of plastic and cardboard we find Sulwa, a nineteen year-old Muslim girl sitting with her mother.
Like many other children in Sudan, Sulwa has grown up as a refugee in her own country. Her family escaped the bitter fighting in the Nuba Mountains and found safety near Khartoum. Encouraged by news of peace, her father has braved the dangerous route back home to see if it is safe for the family to return. They wait patiently for further news
Sulwa
SYNC
There were people fighting, I don't know who they were exactly. But the war was very severe, they raided people at night and killed them. And those with money had it looted in a way we'd never known before. I fled with my heart in my hand, we were homeless. While we were in the wilderness we were afraid these people might attack us. As soon as we moved from Tundia we went to A'Dalenj. A'Dalenj... walking. There we bought bus tickets and came to Khartoum.
Long shot of Khartoum at dusk as buses sweep by on the busy main road. Returning to El Salaam we travel for a short time with water carrier Yosuf as he makes his daily donkey drive to deliver his precious commodity. As he drives past rows of makeshift housing, Sulwa picks up her story
SYNC
When we first arrived, we stayed in huts. When we came to Jabarona, we found people living in the same desperate situation...living in huts. Of course back there I never went to school. So when I came here I found a school...so for now I'm settled. But unfortunately this year I couldn't go to school...because my circumstances have changed. If there's a way then I'll go to school and settle there. Now everything is about money here and unfortunately we can't find it.
Its not surprising Sulwa is short of cash, El Salaam is a shanty-town with no economic infrastructure at all. As she tells us of her hopes of returning to the Nuba Mountains, we see the devastation and poverty surrounding her. Children playing in trenches, homes blown sideways by the wind and approaching sandstorm.
SYNC
I haven't been back to my village since I settled here. My intention is to return to my village, because my village is very beautiful. Life is different there compared to here. But whenever you look back at life there...you fear for yourself. People come and say that things have changed. The war is over, things are quiet now...and the beauty of the area has returned. But I haven't been back to see if the situation has changed.
Of course everyone really wants peace to come to this country.
People have no trust because... ...people say peace has been achieved in Sudan. While peace is finalised in the South another war is breaking out in Darfur. That's why people have lost trust in the government... ...because there can't be a path for war and a path for peace.
Lagawa in the Nuba mountains, President Bashir arrives by helicopter and takes the stage.
Five months after the papers were signed and theres still no certainty that peace will last. President Omar Bashir arrives in Lagawa in the Nuba Mountains where many people are unhappy about their share of the proposed peace deal. With everyone talking about the war in Darfur, hes eager to remind the Nubans that peace will mean a better life for everyone.
The surprisingly sprightly president dances on a temporary platform to the accompaniment of a military brass band. He waves his silver tipped walking stick at the vast crowd who have gathered to hear him speak.
SYNC
Peace is now a reality. Now development has started... ...and we're here to witness the start of this development. Electricity! There will be light and electricity in every house. And development will not be restricted to just Lagawa. All the towns in this area will enjoy the basic services... ...from health, electricity,
water services, education. So anyone living here will enjoy the same services... ...as anyone living in Khartoum.
Wide shot of a tranquil looking Ras El Fir, a resettled village in the Nuba Mountains, just miles from where the president spoke the day before.
The Nuba Mountains in central Sudan have long been at the heart of the fight between north and south. During the war, thousands of people were killed and many more made homeless.
Inside a thatched village hut, we see a young girl pounding sorghum by hand.
Its too early to tell what difference the Presidents promises will make to the lives of girls like Umjuma. Forced to flee her home at the height of the war, her family has now been moved to a village under government protection. Without a school to go to, she works hard to support her family.
SYNC
Before it was a very bad time. We were destitute, staying in the mountains. We were very hungry and thirsty and we couldn't find food. When we did find food it was grass, which we ate like cattle. And we couldn't find water...and if we found water it was poisoned or there was a dead body in it. We'd have to take the dead body out and then drink the water.
As Umjuma talks, we see her performing her daily tasks with her friends. Grinding, washing, coffee making, its full-on manual work.
SYNC
We were devastated by constant enemy attacks. We were tired. They would catch us, kill some of us and steal our belongings. But now thank God we're OK...things are not bad. We were thirsty a lot of the time. So we would go searching for water at night. If we were caught they would take our water... Some of us would be killed and others would live.
In the mountains we had nowhere to sleep. We just slept on the floor and sometimes we were bitten by snakes or scorpions or other things. Up in the mountains there are a few things which can bite you, but what can you do about it? We had to stay in that place. Those that die, die and those that live, live. Some of my brothers died. Half of them died during the war. There was no food for them to eat.
We see the brothers who survived now looking healthy and enjoying the taste of Umjumas home made coffee, ground by hand to a Nuban rhythm.
People had a very difficult time, but lately things have been much better. Since we came here there is food to eat. ...and clothes to wear... Life is better, thank God.
A wide shot of a beautiful field surrounded by mountains. The crop of sim sim is just ready to be cut and Umjuma and friends set about the task in hand, singing as they go.
All I'm doing now is farming... ...working with my hands to live. Farming is the only way we have to make a living. We go out early in the morning. We bring water, light the fire and prepare the food. And getting the water is hard.
Its now dusk and we see the three girls set out on their two kilometre walk to the borehole where they collect water, casting long shadows as they balance their buckets on their heads. They pump and jump, nearly wresting the handle off the hinges. They begin to walk home together.
We haven't found a school to be taught in... ...and we haven't had our religious
education, which would have been good. When we returned we found that
we couldn't really catch up.
After peace? After the peace I want to educate myself... ...because our education is very bad. We started late and we've been left behind.
The civil war has shattered our childrens lives. They have grown up without education and seen our country destroyed. They have been forced to flee their homes. They have been victims of aggression and we have been forced to fight.
Scenes of a war ravaged country, destroyed schools with bullet holes, exploded munitions and children shooting catapults. A three year old at the peace celebrations is shown how to salute and turned to face the camera.
We return to the peace talks at Naivasha. its a media scrum and cameras are trained on General Lazaro Sumbeiywo as he briefs the international press,
The final peace settlement was signed on January 9th. Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Kenyan General who played the role of chief negotiator between Government and SPLM, is cautiously optimistic.
John Garang and Ali Osman Taha embrace each others families in the aftermath of the signing ceremony.
SYNC
What they have negotiated is a very good agreement, good compromises from both sides, so they shouldnt go back on what they have agreed and come forward and signed.
Sumbeiywo direct to camera.
The challenge is to for the people to do exactly what they have agreed and signed. If they do it correctly, then there will be peace. If they attempt to change midstream then they are courting disaster.
Cut to young children on a Nuba mountainside playing cards. They laugh and smile at the camera as they slam their cards down.
If 2005 is to be a year of peace, the model set at Naivasha between North and South will need to be followed throughout Sudan. Nobody can tell which way the cards will fall in our beautiful complex country, What we can be sure of, is that children of Sudan are ready for peace.
End credits.
Black and white photographs of the children in the film with block text
For 21 years, my country Sudan was home to Africas longest running conflict. Over two million people died, everyone was touched in some way. The children we will meet in this film were born in war and have lived in war for all their lives.
Nightfall at the Simba Lodge Naivasha where the Government of Sudan and SPLM are about to put pen to paper on 3 final peace protocols.
In May 2004, at peace talks in Naivasha, Kenya, our government and SPLM leaders finally agree on a way forward for peace. Its taken two years of negotiation to get this far. And even as they shake hands, news of violence in Darfur casts a shadow over the celebrations.
Representatives from the two parties shake hands as Ali Osman Taha and John Garang exchange copies of the final peace protocols.
While the experts tell us the agreement is far from perfect, it is the best chance weve had in years to bring peace to our land.
Dr John Garang, Chairman SPLM. He is elated and enjoying the spotlight.
SYNC
The first task lying ahead of us is reconciliation, reconciliation between adversaries, so that we can definitely say farewell to arms all over the Sudan.
Vice President Ali Osman Taha, the morning after the late night agreement. After many months, he is leaving the hotel to report back to Khartoum.
SYNC
we have managed to achieve peace and we hope that by signing the protocols of peace we will be able to set a new horizon for our country. For a better future.
He is driven away in his vice-presidential Mercedes.
Nyadin, Upper Nile, a few days later. Two teenage boys climb into their dug-out canoe, skipping off from school to check their nets.
Michael was recruited into the SPLA at the age of ten. After four years working as an officers guard, he returned home in 2002.
Thousands of other children continue to serve in the military despite promises from both sides to end their involvement in the conflict
Michael sits making a new net outside a simple tukul house.
SYNC
I cant say many good things about my life. My story so far hasnt been that great. My father left me to join the army. He was killed during the first war. My mother also died when I was young. Life has been difficult without my parents.
We cut back to see the boys progress on the river, the wind is strong and progress is slow. They finally make their first catch of the day a good sized perch is clubbed over the head and tossed into the back of the dug-out.
SYNC
We go fishing because food is scarce here. Clothes and shoes are also hard to find. I check my net for fish. If I catch two I can bring one home and sell the other. Then I buy myself clothes like the ones Im wearing now.
We cut back again and see Michaels new flip flops and second hand Manchester United shorts. He doesnt have a clue who Manchester United are.
I also give food to my brothers wife. My brother raised me. Hes a soldier. Hes the one who built the house but hes left now. He wasnt here when I was recruited into the army. Hes in the north now.
The army wasnt good. It was hard work but at least there was food. The soldiers collected food from people so it was good for an orphan like me.
Back on the river we see Michael and his friend Andrew working together to remove weeks from their nets. Andrew jumps into the water while Michael steadies the canoe.
SYNC
I like Andrew. We were thrown together and became friends. His dad is old and infirm and cant do things for himself. He went to speak with the chiefs and they gave him a canoe. Andrew and I share the canoe and we work as colleagues and friends.
When they become educated, people can help in other ways. If there is still fighting they can help the injured. They can think for the people who are fighting.
I would like to learn more. If you are educated you have access to knowledge. You will know how the world is and what the future holds.
Michael and Andrew paddle back to shore with their days catch of two fish. A meagre reward for four hours work.
CUT to Bahr el Ghazal, where under the flag of the New Sudan we pick up the marching soldiers from the opening shot. We see that they are being followed by the whole community in celebration.
For the first time in years, soldiers are marching for peace and not for war.
The soldiers are on their way to a rally to celebrate the signing of the peace protocols, in the muzzles of their AK47s, some soldiers have stuffed plastic flowers. A local spear doctor leads the shouts as Commander Paul Malong steps up to address the crowd.
Commander Paul Malong, SPLA
SYNC
It is because of our sacrifices made over the last 21 years of struggle and the blood of 2.5 million lives lost that we have succeeded in this great achievement.
Hopes for a lasting peace are high, but many of us still remember the broken promises of the past.
The soldiers march out, their drums fading into the distance.
Cut to
El Salaam camp, home to almost 100,000 war displaced people on the outskirts of Khartoum, an apocalyptic scene of demolished houses and temporary huts. El Salaam was built as a temporary camp over twenty years ago.
If peace does hold it will give millions of people the chance to return home. Sudan has the highest number of displaced people in the world. About 4 million ran from the fighting in the south; a further 2 million have fled Darfur.
Inside one structure of plastic and cardboard we find Sulwa, a nineteen year-old Muslim girl sitting with her mother.
Like many other children in Sudan, Sulwa has grown up as a refugee in her own country. Her family escaped the bitter fighting in the Nuba Mountains and found safety near Khartoum. Encouraged by news of peace, her father has braved the dangerous route back home to see if it is safe for the family to return. They wait patiently for further news
Sulwa
SYNC
There were people fighting, I don't know who they were exactly. But the war was very severe, they raided people at night and killed them. And those with money had it looted in a way we'd never known before. I fled with my heart in my hand, we were homeless. While we were in the wilderness we were afraid these people might attack us. As soon as we moved from Tundia we went to A'Dalenj. A'Dalenj... walking. There we bought bus tickets and came to Khartoum.
Long shot of Khartoum at dusk as buses sweep by on the busy main road. Returning to El Salaam we travel for a short time with water carrier Yosuf as he makes his daily donkey drive to deliver his precious commodity. As he drives past rows of makeshift housing, Sulwa picks up her story
SYNC
When we first arrived, we stayed in huts. When we came to Jabarona, we found people living in the same desperate situation...living in huts. Of course back there I never went to school. So when I came here I found a school...so for now I'm settled. But unfortunately this year I couldn't go to school...because my circumstances have changed. If there's a way then I'll go to school and settle there. Now everything is about money here and unfortunately we can't find it.
Its not surprising Sulwa is short of cash, El Salaam is a shanty-town with no economic infrastructure at all. As she tells us of her hopes of returning to the Nuba Mountains, we see the devastation and poverty surrounding her. Children playing in trenches, homes blown sideways by the wind and approaching sandstorm.
SYNC
I haven't been back to my village since I settled here. My intention is to return to my village, because my village is very beautiful. Life is different there compared to here. But whenever you look back at life there...you fear for yourself. People come and say that things have changed. The war is over, things are quiet now...and the beauty of the area has returned. But I haven't been back to see if the situation has changed.
Of course everyone really wants peace to come to this country.
People have no trust because... ...people say peace has been achieved in Sudan. While peace is finalised in the South another war is breaking out in Darfur. That's why people have lost trust in the government... ...because there can't be a path for war and a path for peace.
Lagawa in the Nuba mountains, President Bashir arrives by helicopter and takes the stage.
Five months after the papers were signed and theres still no certainty that peace will last. President Omar Bashir arrives in Lagawa in the Nuba Mountains where many people are unhappy about their share of the proposed peace deal. With everyone talking about the war in Darfur, hes eager to remind the Nubans that peace will mean a better life for everyone.
The surprisingly sprightly president dances on a temporary platform to the accompaniment of a military brass band. He waves his silver tipped walking stick at the vast crowd who have gathered to hear him speak.
SYNC
Peace is now a reality. Now development has started... ...and we're here to witness the start of this development. Electricity! There will be light and electricity in every house. And development will not be restricted to just Lagawa. All the towns in this area will enjoy the basic services... ...from health, electricity,
water services, education. So anyone living here will enjoy the same services... ...as anyone living in Khartoum.
Wide shot of a tranquil looking Ras El Fir, a resettled village in the Nuba Mountains, just miles from where the president spoke the day before.
The Nuba Mountains in central Sudan have long been at the heart of the fight between north and south. During the war, thousands of people were killed and many more made homeless.
Inside a thatched village hut, we see a young girl pounding sorghum by hand.
Its too early to tell what difference the Presidents promises will make to the lives of girls like Umjuma. Forced to flee her home at the height of the war, her family has now been moved to a village under government protection. Without a school to go to, she works hard to support her family.
SYNC
Before it was a very bad time. We were destitute, staying in the mountains. We were very hungry and thirsty and we couldn't find food. When we did find food it was grass, which we ate like cattle. And we couldn't find water...and if we found water it was poisoned or there was a dead body in it. We'd have to take the dead body out and then drink the water.
As Umjuma talks, we see her performing her daily tasks with her friends. Grinding, washing, coffee making, its full-on manual work.
SYNC
We were devastated by constant enemy attacks. We were tired. They would catch us, kill some of us and steal our belongings. But now thank God we're OK...things are not bad. We were thirsty a lot of the time. So we would go searching for water at night. If we were caught they would take our water... Some of us would be killed and others would live.
In the mountains we had nowhere to sleep. We just slept on the floor and sometimes we were bitten by snakes or scorpions or other things. Up in the mountains there are a few things which can bite you, but what can you do about it? We had to stay in that place. Those that die, die and those that live, live. Some of my brothers died. Half of them died during the war. There was no food for them to eat.
We see the brothers who survived now looking healthy and enjoying the taste of Umjumas home made coffee, ground by hand to a Nuban rhythm.
People had a very difficult time, but lately things have been much better. Since we came here there is food to eat. ...and clothes to wear... Life is better, thank God.
A wide shot of a beautiful field surrounded by mountains. The crop of sim sim is just ready to be cut and Umjuma and friends set about the task in hand, singing as they go.
All I'm doing now is farming... ...working with my hands to live. Farming is the only way we have to make a living. We go out early in the morning. We bring water, light the fire and prepare the food. And getting the water is hard.
Its now dusk and we see the three girls set out on their two kilometre walk to the borehole where they collect water, casting long shadows as they balance their buckets on their heads. They pump and jump, nearly wresting the handle off the hinges. They begin to walk home together.
We haven't found a school to be taught in... ...and we haven't had our religious
education, which would have been good. When we returned we found that
we couldn't really catch up.
After peace? After the peace I want to educate myself... ...because our education is very bad. We started late and we've been left behind.
The civil war has shattered our childrens lives. They have grown up without education and seen our country destroyed. They have been forced to flee their homes. They have been victims of aggression and we have been forced to fight.
Scenes of a war ravaged country, destroyed schools with bullet holes, exploded munitions and children shooting catapults. A three year old at the peace celebrations is shown how to salute and turned to face the camera.
We return to the peace talks at Naivasha. its a media scrum and cameras are trained on General Lazaro Sumbeiywo as he briefs the international press,
The final peace settlement was signed on January 9th. Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Kenyan General who played the role of chief negotiator between Government and SPLM, is cautiously optimistic.
John Garang and Ali Osman Taha embrace each others families in the aftermath of the signing ceremony.
SYNC
What they have negotiated is a very good agreement, good compromises from both sides, so they shouldnt go back on what they have agreed and come forward and signed.
Sumbeiywo direct to camera.
The challenge is to for the people to do exactly what they have agreed and signed. If they do it correctly, then there will be peace. If they attempt to change midstream then they are courting disaster.
Cut to young children on a Nuba mountainside playing cards. They laugh and smile at the camera as they slam their cards down.
If 2005 is to be a year of peace, the model set at Naivasha between North and South will need to be followed throughout Sudan. Nobody can tell which way the cards will fall in our beautiful complex country, What we can be sure of, is that children of Sudan are ready for peace.
End credits.
Black and white photographs of the children in the film with block text