Part One    THE WORLD'S NEWEST NATION?     A 20 year civil war nearly decimated regions of the largest nation on the African continent, Sudan.  The war between the powerful Arab led North and the tribal, black African South cost nearly 2 million lives, mostly Southern Sudanese and created an even greater number of refugees.  But the comprehensive peace agreement signed in 2005 included the right of the South to vote on a referendum to become an independent nation, January 9^th, 2011.  That vote is happening now, but will it proceed peacefully or will the nation once again be bathed in blood.  Our guest today, Maryknoll Sister, Mary Ellen Manz tells of her harrowing experiences escaping the violence in 2007. 

Part Two:   THE WORLD'S NEWEST NATION?   North Sudan, the Arab, Muslim Khartoum government has all the power and money.  But the money comes from the oil fields, which are predominantly located in Southern territory.  As the international community awaits the result of the January vote, there is also speculation that if the South votes for independence, the new boundary drawn will represent a territorial compromise.  We return to Mary Ellen Manz' frightening story of her departure from Sudan, surprisingly laced with a fair amount of humor. 

Part One    THE WORLD'S NEWEST NATION?     A 20 year civil war nearly decimated regions of the largest nation on the African continent, Sudan.  The war between the powerful Arab led North and the tribal, black African South cost nearly 2 million lives, mostly Southern Sudanese and created an even greater number of refugees.  But the comprehensive peace agreement signed in 2005 included the right of the South to vote on a referendum to become an independent nation, January 9^th, 2011.  That vote is happening now, but will it proceed peacefully or will the nation once again be bathed in blood.  Our guest today, Maryknoll Sister, Mary Ellen Manz tells of her harrowing experiences escaping the violence in 2007. 

Part Two:   THE WORLD'S NEWEST NATION?   North Sudan, the Arab, Muslim Khartoum government has all the power and money.  But the money comes from the oil fields, which are predominantly located in Southern territory.  As the international community awaits the result of the January vote, there is also speculation that if the South votes for independence, the new boundary drawn will represent a territorial compromise.  We return to Mary Ellen Manz' frightening story of her departure from Sudan, surprisingly laced with a fair amount of humor.