“The 21st century is Africa’s century”

From the women peace-builders telling senior African Union officials “enough is enough” to the activists demanding justice for victims of sexual violence: Mary Robinson blogs about the inspiring women she met during her recent visit to Addis Ababa.

“Our visit was very timely; just a few days ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting at which Sudan and South Sudan would be on the agenda.” 

Mary Robinson blogs about visiting Brussels a week after travelling to Ethiopia and South Sudan on an Elders delegation. Together with her fellow Elder Martti Ahtisaari, she discussed the situation in the region with EU officials – as well as raising the issue of international sanctions against Zimbabwe.

“While outsiders such as the AU and the UN can help, what is crucial is for the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan to talk directly and build mutual trust; the task cannot be left to anybody else”

Martti Ahtisaari argues that Sudan and South Sudan need to take immediate action towards building a collaborative relationship, and that the real dividends of the peace agreement for South Sudan will depend on investing in the long-term; by focusing on its infrastructure, constitution and economy – but most importantly its people.

“The camp, which did not exist two months ago, is remarkably well organised. And yet the international community is not doing enough to support them.”

Exactly one year since South Sudan gained its independence, Mary Robinson blogs about the Elders' visit on Saturday to a refugee camp hosting 35,000 people who have fled from recent fighting in the Sudanese state of Blue Nile.

"We are already witnessing an unbearable catastrophe with the fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan in Sudan, and the ensuing outpouring of refugees into South Sudan and Ethiopia."

Writing from Addis Ababa at the start of an Elders delegation to Sudan and South Sudan, Desmond Tutu blogs for CNN about the region's urgent humanitarian needs and what he hopes the Elders can achieve on their visit.

Upon his return from Sudan, Jimmy Carter describes the atmosphere on the ground in the run-up to the elections and explains why there is still much to do in order to ensure the country's path towards a more peaceful future.