Sudan: Justice delayed is justice Denied
By Luke Kuth Dak
September 9, 2008 — I am a very big fan and an enthusiastic supporter of the constitution of the United State of America, because of it’s impartiality and fairness, but most importantly, because it embodies the over all concept of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, in a court of law, and not a court of public opinion. I, like most Americans, am proud of this great country, for all that it stands for and represents. No one is above the law, but the law itself.
Consequently, most – if not- all of the Western constitutions- including that of the International Criminal Court, in principal are in fact, compatible with the American constitution, especially, in the areas of guaranteeing the individual’s rights, for a just, fair and a speedy trial.
Hence, the Sudan’s President, Omer Al Bashir-just been indicted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague on genocide and war crimes charges-should have all the peace of mine. At least he should know fully well that he will be facing a court of law that gives him the benefit of the doubt, that his citizens would only wish they had, including the presumption of innocence, until proven guilty.
In addition, if the President does in fact, believe that he’s innocent of all the charges levied against him- as he vehemently and vigorously protested- then, the bravest and the most honorable thing to do would be to put an end to the whole saga, and turn himself in to the ICC, in order to clear, not only his name, legacy and the Islamic movement’s credibility and standing, but above all else to give respite to the entire country.
For the past two decades of the Ingaz rules, the Sudanese people- over and over again- have heard President Al Bashir, expresses his love for the country, that he would much rather die or devoice his two wives, than to see Sudan falls apart. Well, that time is now, Mr. President. The country needs you today more than it ever has before .The Sudanese people from all walks of life, want nothing less than for you to make that moral call: Turn yourself in, for the sake of the country you claimed you passionately love and cherish.
Clearly, President Al Bashir, who is in full control of the country’s checkbook can, and should afford to the hire the best lawyers in the world, challenge the charges against him. After all, didn’t he just show his richness by donating a total of thirty- five- brand- new vehicles to the Egypt’s national soccer team, for wining the African Cup? Now, let’s face the most compelling question of all: Why should it be the Sudan’s business to want to celebrate the Egyptians’ athletic achievement more than the Egyptians themselves, while Egypt is occupying al Haliyeb? Certainly, we have an issue of identity crisis here; otherwise, why should our country donates all that much to foreigners who do not even need it in the first place, while most Sudanese citizens continue to languish in the lonely island of despair, as Martin Luther king once put it. What happened to the victims of the current floods that have nowhere to turn to, while our President is too busy bribing Egyptians with their money? To add to our misery, the only Sudanese Olympian- clearly a black man- dedicated his model to the Palestinians and the Iraqi children! What about the orphans in Darfur and south Sudan? Aren’t they worthy of that honor?
Al- Tayeb Mustafa!
I cannot claim to know the Northern Sudanese culture fully well, even though I was schooled at Shendi High School, just a couple of miles from (Hush Banaga), the President’s hometown. However, in the Nuer social order, an uncle is all that you need by your side when something is at stake. My dad made that very clear to me from a very young age. Coming home from school on vacations and dying to see mom and dad, I must first go by my uncles and aunts homes. Then, and only then, do I make my father happy?
Ironically, however, the President’s uncle, and the owner of the Al- Intibaha newspaper, Al- Tayeb Mustafa, time and time again, has proved that he is the President’s worst enemy. Instead of doing what any loving and caring uncle ought to do, especially in time of need, and that’s to rally all the troops around his nephew, in the battle of his life with the ICC, he has literally unleashed his heavily public-founded newspaper, to tear down the alliance that was formed to combat the most serious charges ever levied against a sitting President, his nephew, by baselessly attacking the Southern Sudanese leadership, thereby isolating and alienating the President even more.
Also, the President’s uncle has just sunk to even to a new low in trying to disparage the only democratically elected official in the entire country, Salva Kiir Mayardit. At one point, he arrogantly and disrepectively referred to the 1st Vice President, as (Kiir), as if the number two most powerful man in Sudan, with credentials that demand respect, were one of his servants. This rhetoric, however, not only is it disgraceful, but it also shows Mr. Mustafa’s total ignorance of anything and everything true journalism is all about and stands for. After all, this is a man who entered this business with only one qualification: being the president’s uncle. His Arabic is terrible, that Dr. Mansour Khalid would have a heart attack, if he came across some of the articles he writes. That’s particularly worrisome, for someone who claims to be a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad.
Lt.Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit
After having endured the barrage of insults and personal attacks by the vicious bigots of the Islamic National Front’s media outlets- Alintibaha and Alray Alaam- it appears the 1st Vice President’s skin has thickened to the point where the assaults do not seem to hurt him any longer. Perhaps he loves animals that being compared to them, is in actual fact, a compliment that calls for a thank you, to the President’s uncle El Tayeb Mustafa. After all, Mr. Mayardit comes from a Dinka tribe, well known for their love of animals.
But since there is little all of us can do, our only hope is that, the Mr. Mayardit does not underestimate the danger that comes along with President uncle’s rhetoric. And if he thinks silence will eventually win them over, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. His only option, however, is that: under his watch, al Intibaha should not have a free ride, that it must be censored just like every other independent newspaper in the country.
As much as it sounds undemocratic and harsh, too, but it’s a devil we must learn to live with.
Luke Kuth Dak is a former anchorman at Juba Radio, and a Sudan Tribune contributor. He can be reached at: [email protected]