Posted by Joan Mower:

L to R: Michael Meehan, Dana Perino, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Susan McCue

The governors with Dr. Benjamin Barnaba Marial, Minister of Information for the Government of South Sudan. This is at a reception where Dr. Marial expressed support for press freedom and called for a partnership with VOA.

Posted by Joan Mower:

The governors arrived in Juba, Sudan today - second stop on their Africa trip. Juba will be the capital of South Sudan, slated to become the world’s newest nation on July 9! For now, the resource-rich region remains one of the poorest places on earth.

After a meeting with U.S. consulate staff, our group attended a social event for leading South Sudan officials. Minister of Information Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin said he would like VOA “to play a big role in the independent media.”

In advance of the BBG/VOA trip to South Sudan, Luka Deng, right, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Government of South Sudan, and Ezekiel Gatkuoth, head of the GOSS Mission to the United States, visited VOA. Shown with Joan Mower, Head of VOA’s Development Office.  (Photo courtesy Joan Mower)