Sudan needs bon voisinage with neighbours
Editorial, The Juba Post
Dec 29, 2005 — The Government of National Unity in Sudan is not only expected to unite the political forces in Sudan, and to give service to the people of Sudan, but also to establish good relationships with the neighbouring countries.
The impoverished people of Sudan cannot afford their resources to be wasted on senseless wars.
Sudan in the past has had bad relationships with most of its neighbours due to belligerent religious policies. With the signing of peace, most of the countries that had a bad relationship with Sudan are mending relations, the latest being Sudan’s arch-enemy Eritrea. A number of these countries, including Uganda and Egypt, now have consulates in south Sudan. This has been a good gesture towards peace.
Unfortunately, another problem has been creeping up between Sudan and Chad since the incursion of violence in Darfur in February 2003. The Chadian President Idriss Deby has accused Sudan of backing Chadian rebels (called the ‘Rally for Liberty and Democracy’) and threatens to pursue them into Sudanese territory.
The Chadian president’s threats are not entirely unjustified given the constant reports of Janjawid raids on Chadian villages near the two countries’ borders.
Sudan, as usual, refutes the charges.
While Idriss Deby’s claims of Sudanese involvement may be baseless, his accusations and consultations with the Central African Republic and Nigeria can tarnish Sudan’s international image further, making representation in the AU next year unlikely. It seems improbable that the government that backed Deby’s accession to power would oppose him 10 years later.
However, if many people become enemies of one person, it is that person to examine his conduct towards others. Sudan should examine and alter its policies of supporting small, volatile armed groups in neighbouring countries.
The Sudanese are tired of war and need a government that uses the resources of the country to effect internal development, not external strife.