Sudan’s Taha presence at Darfur talks is the right move
By Alfred Taban, The Khartoum Monitor
April 13, 2006 — The government’s decision to dispatch Ali Osman Taha, the second vice-president, to Abuja is a correct move that is unlikely to fail the Sudanese people.
Taha’s predecessor, as the government’s main man in Abuja, Majzoub al-Khalifah was a total disaster. He had little grasp of the situation and was very arrogant. Taha is in a position to do much better. He had the patience of sitting in Naivasha, Kenya for months with the late Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement leader Dr John Garang to work out the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. If the Naivasha peace process did not transform him into a federalist, at least he now understands the point of view of those living in the margins of life in this country. This is after all the crux of the matter.
The marginalized people of Sudan are saying the current power structure in this country, the current wealth sharing system and the current development regime in the country are unsustainable because they are weighed too heavily in favour of the centre where the main beneficiaries are a few fat cats. Taha knows very well that the so-called problem of Darfur is really the problem of Sudan, and not only of Darfur. The problem of Sudan is that of the criminal neglect by successive governments, including the current one, of development issues in the various regions in the periphery of Sudan. It is the issue of power remaining in the hands of a clique of Khartoumers and central Nilers.
Taha brings to the Darfur talks a new brand of Sudanese nationalism and understanding, leading to the creation of a New Sudan. This is the Sudan of sacrifice for the good of all and Taha is fully aware that he may have to lose his position of second vice-president. This personal sacrifice is necessary and essential for the maintenance of one northern Sudan, let alone one whole Sudan.
Taha had sacrificed his position of first vice-president in order for the CPA to be signed. This saved the unity of Sudan, at least for six years. Another sacrifice is likely to be demanded on his part in order for us to have the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The people of Darfur, who are about six million, representing about a quarter of the population of northern Sudan, want the vice-presidency. Since the southerners have already taken the first vice-presidency, the Darfurians are demanding the second vice-presidency and so Taha might have to move yet again, to the third vice-presidency. When the negotiations with the Beja in eastern Sudan gain momentum, he may even move to the fourth vice-presidency as the Beja will likely demand the third vice-presidency. In order to keep Sudan one, and in the spirit of self denial and sacrifice, we believe Shaykh Ali will accept to serve in any position given to him by the Sudanese people, who would not like to see the top positions in the government in Khartoum dominated by two people from more or less the same area, President Bashir and Vice-President Taha.