A message from the Chair
This section was first started by Richard Bourne to give a monthly update for readers and supporters of The Round Table journal on developments leading up to the centenary celebrations of our journal (started in the Edwardian era).
Due to its popularity, it is now being continued by the new Chair of the editorial advisory board, (known since the early twentieth century as the Moot), Stuart Mole.
View the messages by selecting any of the links below:
July/August 2011
Will South Sudan be the Commonwealth's 55th member?
Since the fledgling state achieved independence on 9 July 2011, it has joined the United Nations and the African Union. And it has made no secret of its desire for Commonwealth membership too.
The UK's Foreign Secretary, William Hague, is reported to be supportive of the bid, although Prime Minister David Cameron recently cancelled a planned visit to Juba, South Sudan's capital, apparently because of security concerns.
Two of South Sudan's neighbours are Commonwealth members - Uganda and Kenya. After the Second World War, Britain - then the colonial power - wanted to merge South Sudan with Uganda but were rebuffed. Instead, north and south Sudan were machined together in an unhappy union, torn by civil war for much of its independent life. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement offered South Sudan the possibility of secession and independence. The January 2011 referendum confirmed this option as the overwhelming wish of South Sudan's people, after 98% voted in favour.
South Sudan's former constitutional association with the UK Government (through the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium) would satisfy one of the basic requirements of membership, by demonstrating an enduring Commonwealth constitutional link. More debatable would be evidence of the new state's commitment to the Commonwealth's fundamental political values. But the 21 year long civil war was scarcely the most conducive environment for South Sudan to develop its nascent democratic structures or enlarge the liberties of its citizens.
Two of the Commonwealth's most recent members - Mozambique and Rwanda - were accepted into Commonwealth membership on an exceptional basis, with the strong support of their African neighbours. Mozambique has since proved to be an exemplary member, though Rwanda's application attracted greater doubt and controversy.
For those who prefer a Commonwealth with fewer challenges, South Sudan is not an inviting prospect. Few newly-independent nations have struggled into life from such unpromising beginnings. Conflict has retarded its development. 90% of its 9 million population live in absolute poverty, on less than a dollar a day. There is little basic infrastructure, an undeveloped economy and abysmal levels of health and literacy. The government's own website is frank: "All the indices of human welfare put its citizens at the bottom of all humanity". There are also major security concerns, with internal conflict in seven out of South Sudan's ten states; and the continuing threat that, with some key issues unresolved, war with its northern neighbour might return.
Others see the new state as full of potential, with substantial oil and mineral wealth, as well as abundant and fertile agricultural land. Its predominately English-speaking population is full of hope and expectation of a better life. It has Commonwealth neighbours; and the Commonwealth's small-scale but tailor-made technical support could open the door for more substantial aid and development assistance through the bilateral programmes of Commonwealth donors. Membership of the association would also provide access to the sort of international network which could help allay security concerns.
Will the Commonwealth summit in Perth, Australia, in October, respond to South Sudan's plea?
Stuart Mole