The RAS relaunches its Africa Asia Centre programme this Spring with a new seminar series exploring different aspects of Africa-Asia relations. Our first seminar will be delivered by Zach Vertin, Senior Analyst on Sudan & South Sudan at the International Crisis Group.

Date/time: Friday 27 April, 16:00-18:00

Venue: Room B102, SOAS.

Summary : South Sudan’s Salva Kiir arrived in China this week for a highly anticipated presidential summit with Hu Jintao. Following publication of his report China’s New Courtship in South Sudan, Zach Vertin, Senior Analyst with the International Crisis Group, will discuss the re-orientation of Beijing’s engagement in the two Sudans. Though China’s historical support for Khartoum left a sour legacy in the South, the potential for mutual economic benefit means a new chapter in bilateral relations is now being written. But balancing new friends in Juba with old friends in Khartoum has proven a delicate dance. And that task has only become harder as Sudan and South Sudan now teeter dangerously on the brink of a new war.

About the speaker: Zach Vertin conducts Crisis Group’s research and analysis in Sudan, particularly South Sudan, and is based in Nairobi. He has previously examined political dynamics and peace and security issues, including: North-South relations and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, political, economic, and security relations with the region, inter-communal violence and state response, and the process of self-determination of South Sudan.

Please RSVP to rsvp@royalafricansociety.org