A Political Message in a Bottle?

I think you guys will like this one. Not strictly Darfur-related but interesting nonetheless…

International brewer SABMiller has announced that it will introduce a new lager in South Sudan in February 2009.

Under Islamic law, brewing was banned in Sudan 25 years ago. However, the 2005 peace deal between the North and South opened the doors to a secular government in the South, and, now, a new thirst-quencher for the Sudanese people.

What is so significant about this event? According to South Sudan’s Agriculture Minister Samson Kwaje, individuals residing in South Sudan will “not only be consuming but producing alcohol. It’s a serious political message of one country, two systems”.

The new brewery will also provide hundreds of jobs to the city of Juba.