Is it NCP or Government of National Unity?

Editorial, The Sudan Tribune

October 30, 2006 — For anyone who is keeping an eye closely on the daily happenings in Sudan’s politics and its position among the nations of the world, the way things are running down the tube left a lot to be desired. For one thing, the media censorship is back in full weight shortly after the roarous momentum of CPA has calmed down. News papers are either punched to delete any dangerous truth or are confiscated altogether. Editors that are not on the belt of the government are constantly pressured and threatened not to air out what could be classified as “security threat.” And not only that, illegal imprisonment and non-trial of these editors in full force. What should SPLM, a junior partner in government and the people’s movement do in such circumstances?

Almost everyone knows that the main pillars of government were taken by the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) during the power distribution except the foreign affairs ministry. As a result, the NCP has the sole authority to lock important national in its room or to volt out what is doesn’t want. For instance, the ministry of justice and judiciary is alleged to have rejected to sign some of the southern states’ draft constitutions that took a lot of time, resources, and commitment to prepare, leaving these states in lawlessness. The intention is in two fold: one, tell the SPLM that the north is in possession of the country and that it should not act as a government. Two, continue to perpetuate confusion and insecurity in the south amid jungle laws. So, in such situation, what should SPLM, a junior partner in government and the people’s movement do in such circumstances?

The boundary commission is stagnant. Though the report was prepared and handed down to al-Bashir, he rejected the result, leaving the whole section of CPA in disarray. But who expect the north anyway to give a nod and a go ahead to what has been proposed? The south through SPLM is maintaining that the border between the south and the north should appear as it was in 1956. What does the north say? Simple: the border is neither what was in 1956 nor 1983, but what is ratified each moment in time as per the recovery of oil and displacement of citizens on their natural soil. After all, the interest of the north in the south in not in people, but land and resource on and in it. Is there any wonder that the border demarcation is ignored? No, this is not the question, the real question is: what should SPLM, a junior partner in government and the people’s movement do in such circumstances?

According to CPA, the northern army was supposed to evacuate the south at a specified time and so was the southern army in the north. The areas or distances of deployment were designated. A year or so down the line, that deployment is either not done or the army is just slightly relocated by planting them just on the border line. Peace dividend in the name of development in the devastated south is not in sight. Instead, the north is investing in the military hardware. Antonovs, helicopters, gun ships, and what of you, are flying into the country from China. Weaponry market between Sudan and Russia is the most lucrative enterprise at the moment. What is all this fire for? The CPA is in town, Minawi of Darfur is the fourth senior official in the country, Eastern rebels are disarming, NDA is on the march to enter the fold, and the sound of peace, peace, peace…is deafening on every corner of the country. What is going on here? Is something fishy cooking in the pot? Well, when undeclared projects are flying about and all manner of suspicious activities in are play, what should SPLM, a junior partner in government and the people’s movement do in such circumstances?

For the vigilant Sudanese, it is common knowledge that CPA came into being in part due to the international pressure. This international community is not facing the wrath Sudan’s foreign ministry each single day under the officialdom of Dr. Lam Akol, an SPLM. A supportive community that should be watching our government’s behaviour keenly is now dealing with suffocation from a fire smoke ignited by our own son. It was very unfortunate for the SPLM to accept such uncomfortable chair at this moment. But does this mean that there should not be a plan B? UN representative is vanished from the country at the unilateral directive of NCP. How could this possibly happen when we have a national unity government in place? Common, the SPLM is in Khartoum and in Juba. It is part of the government. If it is ignored by its sister party in the north, can’t it put a “no way” sigh up and demand a thorough explanation before the representative is shown the door? I suppose that SPLM could even ask the UN representative to come to Juba while the case is investigated in Khartoum. Or what do you think the SPLM, a junior partner in government and the people’s movement should have done in such circumstance?

This is what we think the SPLM should behave: act as an equal partner in the administration of the country, not necessarily by the sheer of numbers, but by voicing out loud and forcefully the will of the Sudanese people that have put their hope and trust in it. The SPLM had stood up against the NCP for decades and the fact that neither of them won the war means that they are equal. The SPLM might be a minor in government by number, but it has the backing of Sudanese people from every corner of the country. Its words and actions are the salvation of this great country held hostage by the elite Bourgeoises in the north for so many years. If SPLM rises up against all this unbecoming of NCP, Sudanese people would rise up with it and humble this Khartoum-based government of stomach. Peace is sweet and it is what we all need after justice. However, its sweetness should not and must not be felt only in the mouth of SPLM. If CPA were to die because NCP doesn’t invest in it, SPLM alone would not keep it alive. CPA is a symptom of justice, equality, and prosperity for all Sudanese people. If what it is standing for is not there, then it doesn’t worth the attention that the SPLM render to it. SPLM must not let the Sudanese people down. SPLM must stand up in the face of NCP always. Otherwise, if it shows weakness or apathy in what is happening daily in the country such as the expulsion of the UN envoy, the next step would be Salve Kiir’s turn to pack and go south within 72 hours or less. So, why take the risk slowly? Set the record straight now and if need be, let the CPA be CPA and go back to our last resort!