“New Sudan” Threatens by “Three-in one” (race, religion, culture)
“New Sudan” Idea Threatens by “Three-in one” (race, religion, culture)
By Justin Machien Luoi
Dec 11, 2006 –The famous idea of “New Sudan” has been analyzed, interpreted and discussed by experts within the Sudanese geopolitical arena and outside as well in volumes of articles and press releases. However, its interpretation has been made in such a way that makes it feat personal or organizational opinion on how the problem of Sudan should be resolved. As Mr. Bor Gatwech had written in his article, “New Sudan Agenda: the only option to redress the troubled Sudan,” Southern Sudanese view New Sudan agenda differently than their Northern counterparts and probably the Western and Eastern Sudanese also have their own ways of interpreting the idea. But why is the case? I personally believe that Northern Sudan is the problem because race, religion and culture intertwined as one have far more gravitational pull than the “New Sudan” ideology in that part of our country and as a consequence comprehensive unity and harmonious co-existence can not be arrived to through the ideology.
To start with, although it needs time for it to be well understood, the idea of “New Sudan” resonates with people of Southern Sudan, Abyei, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan more than any other people in the country. I believe that it would be less costly to achieve the ideology with these people than any other people in the country for several reasons. First and foremost this ideology was born out of their resistance to Northern Sudan hegemony. Secondly, the people of these areas aren’t of any case imperialists and would be comfortable to practice their religions and cultures at their smallest groupings without putting at risk other peoples’ liberties and freedom. Thirdly, the people of these areas have suffered under several Khartoum regimes as well as at the hands of their own brothers at some point, particularly Southern Sudanese. This experience has helped them understood the need to have a nation where no one’s culture or religion overrides other people’s rights to have and practice religions and cultures. Fourthly, Southern Sudanese, Abyei, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan people have so much respect for their dead hero and the only long known leader, Dr. John Garang De Mabior. This man championed their cause and made their problems known world wide. His death was a “show and awe” to them and if there is anything they are capable of doing to keep his name and legacy striving, they would do that at all costs. Therefore, “New Sudan” ideology is Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) idea and more so Dr. John Garang’s personal involvement made this idea incepted. As a corollary, “New Sudan” idea wouldn’t be that painstaking to put to practice in Southern Sudan, Abyei, Blue Nile, and Southern Kordofan for they understand what it meant to Garang, SPLM and to them. However, I would hesitate to say the same about the West, East and the Northern Sudan.
Primarily, I do not know what East and west Sudan’s understanding of the “New Sudan” Ideology may be. They probably do not share the same interpretation or the need for a “New Sudan” as Southern Sudanese, Abyei, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan people do. But they do have their own ways of interpreting this “New Sudan” idea based on their political, cultural and religious needs. To me the East and the West are not potential threats to the ideology because they have also suffered to some extent under- Khartoum. The main obstacle to this idea of “New Sudan” comes from the North.
Looking at the past history of Sudan to the modern, I find it really difficult to comment on how the “New Sudan” idea could be put to work in that part of Sudan. For one, it is very difficult to distinguish between, Northern Sudanese race, religion and culture. It seems like every time any of the three is mentioned, three of them seems to be involved. This is what makes the “New Sudan” Ideology problematic when it comes to Northern Sudan. To say that Islam as a religion has to be excluded in the governance in Sudan echoes one saying that Arab race must not exist or wearing of “Jalabia” in the Parliament or public is wrong. So long as the three dimensions of Northern Sudan society exist as one, “New Sudan” Ideology will always remain a myth in that part of our nation.
The “New Sudan” idea is about democracy, secularism, pluralism, equality and justice for all based on “social contract” as Dr. Garang once put it. For various parts of Sudan to consent to the “social contract” for a “New Sudan”, individuals, societies, organizations will have to give up religious, cultural or racial rights to co-exist with others. As far as Northern Sudanese are concerned, giving up religion will mean loosing the other two. As our history illustrates, race, religion and culture have led to Northern Sudan quest for hegemony in Sudan and these three have more gravitational pull than the new Sudan ideology. A miracle will have to happen for the “three-in one” to exist singly for “New Sudan” ideology to work in Northern Sudan and in a united Sudan.
* The author is a Sudanese living in the US. He can be reach at [email protected]