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Collapse of a CountryA Diplomat's Memoir of South Sudan |
eBook Available
A rare first-hand account of the violent implosion and ongoing humanitarian tragedy of the world’s youngest state.
The first Canadian diplomat to be posted to war-torn Sudan, Nicholas Coghlan was a natural choice to lead Canada’s representation in the new Republic of South Sudan soon after the country was founded in 2011. In late 2013, Coghlan and his wife Jenny were in the capital, Juba, when it erupted in gunfire and civil war pitted one half of the army against the other, Vice-President Machar against President Kiir, and the Nuer tribe against the Dinka.
This action-focused narrative, grounded by accounts of meetings with key leaders and travels throughout the dangerous, impoverished hinterland of South Sudan, explains what happened in December 2013 and why. In harrowing terms, Collapse of a Country describes the ebb and flow of the war and the humanitarian tragedy that followed, the Coghlans’ scramble to evacuate South-Sudanese Canadians from Juba, and the well-meant but often ill-conceived attempts of the international community to mitigate the misery and bring peace back to a land that has rarely known it. Coghlan’s stark narrative serves as a lesson to politicians, diplomats, aid workers, and practitioners on the breakdown of governance and relationships between ethnic groups, and the often decisive role of international development representatives.
Fast-paced and poignant, Collapse of a Country gives an insider’s glimpse into the chaos, violence, and ethnic conflicts that emerged out of a civil war that has been largely ignored by the West.
This action-focused narrative, grounded by accounts of meetings with key leaders and travels throughout the dangerous, impoverished hinterland of South Sudan, explains what happened in December 2013 and why. In harrowing terms, Collapse of a Country describes the ebb and flow of the war and the humanitarian tragedy that followed, the Coghlans’ scramble to evacuate South-Sudanese Canadians from Juba, and the well-meant but often ill-conceived attempts of the international community to mitigate the misery and bring peace back to a land that has rarely known it. Coghlan’s stark narrative serves as a lesson to politicians, diplomats, aid workers, and practitioners on the breakdown of governance and relationships between ethnic groups, and the often decisive role of international development representatives.
Fast-paced and poignant, Collapse of a Country gives an insider’s glimpse into the chaos, violence, and ethnic conflicts that emerged out of a civil war that has been largely ignored by the West.
Details
304 Pages, 6 x 9
32 photos, 3 maps
ISBN 9780773551268
September 2017
Formats: Cloth, eBook
“A highly personal and timely memoir that will be useful and compelling to students, scholars, and general readers, especially those who have worked and lived in South Sudan within the last two decades.” Marv Koop, former director of the AECOM Sudan / South Sudan program
“Collapse of a Country is a book that must be read by anyone who wishes to understand the complexity of the birth of this new nation. Nick’s personal account of how he managed his role as an ambassador during this time is a remarkable reflection of his passion and integrity.” Roméo Dallaire and Shelly Whitman from the foreword
“Collapse of a Country draws from the author’s special perspective as an ambassador who traveled widely through the South Sudan, from 2001 to 2016. His writing is vivid and detailed. Highly recommended.” Choice
“Full of head-shaking examples of bureaucratic practices gone afoul, Coghlan’s insistence that more could be done with practices and processes that respond to the needs of Canada’s various embassies overseas provides some of the most stirring content of the book. [Collapse of a Country] is a useful and often-engaging account of South Sudan’s first traumatic years. The work of Canada’s diplomats in places like South Sudan deserves more attention, and hopefully books like this will continue to shed light on the good, bad, and ugly sides of this world.” International Journal
"Collapse of a Country provides some rationale as to why the present Canadian Government has failed to deploy 'military elements' to a UN mission in Africa as promptly as promised. There is no happy ending. There is no suggestion for success. No 'good guy' is seen on the horizon, only more villains and victims. Only retirement could have permitted publication of these memoirs in this easy-to-read but difficult-to-digest memoir of being our first man in Juba." Canadian Military Journal
“Collapse of a Country is a book that must be read by anyone who wishes to understand the complexity of the birth of this new nation. Nick’s personal account of how he managed his role as an ambassador during this time is a remarkable reflection of his passion and integrity.” Roméo Dallaire and Shelly Whitman from the foreword
“Collapse of a Country draws from the author’s special perspective as an ambassador who traveled widely through the South Sudan, from 2001 to 2016. His writing is vivid and detailed. Highly recommended.” Choice
“Full of head-shaking examples of bureaucratic practices gone afoul, Coghlan’s insistence that more could be done with practices and processes that respond to the needs of Canada’s various embassies overseas provides some of the most stirring content of the book. [Collapse of a Country] is a useful and often-engaging account of South Sudan’s first traumatic years. The work of Canada’s diplomats in places like South Sudan deserves more attention, and hopefully books like this will continue to shed light on the good, bad, and ugly sides of this world.” International Journal
"Collapse of a Country provides some rationale as to why the present Canadian Government has failed to deploy 'military elements' to a UN mission in Africa as promptly as promised. There is no happy ending. There is no suggestion for success. No 'good guy' is seen on the horizon, only more villains and victims. Only retirement could have permitted publication of these memoirs in this easy-to-read but difficult-to-digest memoir of being our first man in Juba." Canadian Military Journal
Nicholas Coghlan, author of Far in the Waste Sudan and The Saddest Country, served in five Canadian embassies overseas before he was appointed Canada’s first resident ambassador to South Sudan. He lives on his sailboat in Canada’s Pacific Northwest.
Contents
Foreword ix
Maps and Illustrations follow pages xii, 82, 156
Prologue xvii
1 Jihad and Crusade 3
2 A Garage by the Nile 23
3 I Never Thought It Would Be So Messy 38
4 The Murle War 52
5 Babies and Mothers 76
6 The Refuge-Seekers 83
7 These Are SPLM Ladies 95
8 The Knives Are Out 107
9 Juba Implodes 119
10 A Fight in Your Living Room 140
11 The Echo of Mille Collines 157
12 Communing with the Sky God 174
13 Maybe You Should Leave 190
14 Snakes Are Available 207
15 How Long Must We Suffer? 222
16 Riek Returns 239
Epilogue 245
Appendix A South Sudan: A Chronology 249
Appendix B Acronyms 253
Notes 261
Index 269
Foreword ix
Maps and Illustrations follow pages xii, 82, 156
Prologue xvii
1 Jihad and Crusade 3
2 A Garage by the Nile 23
3 I Never Thought It Would Be So Messy 38
4 The Murle War 52
5 Babies and Mothers 76
6 The Refuge-Seekers 83
7 These Are SPLM Ladies 95
8 The Knives Are Out 107
9 Juba Implodes 119
10 A Fight in Your Living Room 140
11 The Echo of Mille Collines 157
12 Communing with the Sky God 174
13 Maybe You Should Leave 190
14 Snakes Are Available 207
15 How Long Must We Suffer? 222
16 Riek Returns 239
Epilogue 245
Appendix A South Sudan: A Chronology 249
Appendix B Acronyms 253
Notes 261
Index 269
