Queen’s University Political Studies Senior Fellow and former ambassador John Schram is available to talk about the tribal violence of South Sudan that has reportedly left hundreds (and possibly thousands) dead and 120,000 people homeless.

There was hope for the country when it split from the Sudan more than six months ago to form the world’s newest country. But there are now horrific reports of men, women and children being shot and beaten and entire villages being burned. Doctors Without Borders say three clinics – the only source of medical treatment for many people – have been ransacked and burned.

Mr. Schram – who was the Canada’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan from 1998 through 2002 – can talk about the implications of this violence for the new South Sudan and its efforts to work out a modus vivendi with the old Sudan. Mr. Schram can also talk about South Sundan’s need for help from others countries such as Canada to get stronger security, human security, negotiation, reconciliation and long-term governance structures in place.

Mr. Schram spent 36 years working on African issues with the Canadian Department of External Affairs.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.ca or Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or Anne.Craig@queensu.ca at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

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