U.S. military base in south Sudan: How pitiable?

By Mading Ngor Akec Kuai*

Feb 28, 2006 — The news of America’s alleged willingness to set up a
military base in south Sudan comes not as a surprise because the timing is
premature, yet I find it suspicious that the Nuer Defense Force (NDF) or
what is known to some as South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF) was the first to
pinpoint the initiative. Though I endorse the view of the SSDF that the
Americans oughtn’t to be the ones shielding our oil (but from whom?), I
question the allegiance of the warlords to south Sudan as is epitomized by
the following issue to the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) on February 26
th: “The Southern Sudan Defence Force (SSDF) has warned the government of
Southern Sudan of dire consequences, if it agrees to a plan by the USA to
set up a military base in the region to protect the oil fields.”

Are the “dire consequences” the South Sudan Defense Force raves about
directed against America or on south Sudanese they claims to be defending,
or do they see the calamitous upshot of such a move in the long run on a
mountain?

Additionally, if it is true that the United States of America wants to
extend its mightiest empire to the ravished part of the continent, there
will be both gains and loses. Having an American military base in south
Sudan will add more fluidity to the deadlocked implementation of what is
clearly a Complicated Peer Argument (CPA). On one hand, the Khartoum
campaigns vigorously in opposition to foreign forces for she fathoms that
her powers would be reduced to negligible levels with their presence. On
the other hand, the National Congress Party would see its shares of
southern oil sink to abysmal dividends.

However, in contrast, the disadvantages of having the sole Super Power on
our land are severe, probably at the long run. What are they? The
Americans are driven by their own interests and we only benefit when they
coincide with ours such as their pressure in the signing of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In other words, we eat crumbs as they dine
chirpily in America. Matter of fact, why do they offer to protect our
oilfields when humans in Darfur are howling for protection, a crisis
they’ve termed as “genocide” which I personally think it is. Why didn’t
the U.S.A protect south Sudanese when wars were commonplace?

Another aspect that is worthy of discussion is the position of that of the
National Congress of Field Marshal Omar H. Bashir. I wonder how I can put
my points across without appearing as a “crony” of Mr. Bashir, but
frankly, I share the same opinion with Omar Bashir that foreign troops
shouldn’t set foot on Sudan soil because it is a violation of national
sovereignty, hence the idea of the African solution to our problems.

That Mr. Bashir makes life harder for the people of his country is the
difference. The kind of brutality that has set Darfur ablaze is the kind
of internal aggression that is intolerable and gives “others” incentives
to medal in our affairs. A person from one of the marginalized areas for
instance, would be seen as “defecting” in a mere mention of “I agree with
Omar” because everyone is weary of the Arab hegemony over the non-Arabs,
non-Muslim and (foreign (African) Muslim)) populations since our house is
full of discrepancies and distrust. Therefore, if we cannot organize
ourselves, don’t we automatically invite the “experts” to exploit on our
weakness?

At the meantime, indicate to a south Sudanese that unity with the Arabs is
beneficial and I doubt that you would come out healthy and sound. He’d eat
you up in a manner of cat and a rat. It is rather perturbing that
forgiveness is so meager, so meager that we’re sinking to the level of our
oppressors, attributing to the Khartoum’s apartheid like policies that has
made Sudaniness (cohesion, unity and solidarity between Sudanese) a
paradise lost. If this was the real essence of the New Sudan Vision, then
our late and beloved leader Dr. John Garang de Mabior must be groaning and
turning in his grave. May the Almighty God Bless him for his selfless
service to our people and lest we forget his sacrifices for the betterment
of our conditions.

On the whole, I believe that only the UN should have a final say on the
use of force on other countries and bullies such as the States have no
moral ground to establish military bases all over the world. Using all
means to cling to power and abusing it culminates in what Noam Chomsky in
his book ” Rogue State” calls a “rogue state.” Otherwise, the notorious
South Sudan Defense Force is right on two things, (1). If the government
of Southern Sudan agrees to establish a US military base in the region,
then it will be the biggest violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
and (2). The act has dire consequences (from them to the Americans or to
us south Sudanese masses or “asses” if they fight the GoSS). Thus far, the
SSDF is violating the Agreement because they’re still lingering like
thieves at midnight. No to American base in south Sudan!

*Mading Ngor Akec Kuai is a Sudanese student in Canada, he is one of the
editors of the newly launched http://www.newsudanvision.com/.
He can be reached at [email protected]