Why all this Squabble over Sudan’s Fifth Census Results
By Roba Gibia
May 21, 2009 – Khartoum’s notorious behaviors and unfolding events and sabotages have taught us subjugated people which took arms to fight for liberty great lessons, but it seems unfortunately that we have not yet erudite lessons correctly. Thus, for how long shall we continue to be raw and always manipulated? I have reiterated this issue several times in my articles and particularly during the row over the two key economic ministries (ministry of finance and ministry of industry, mining and petroleum at the formation of GoNU). During those days, some prominent SPLM members voiced their determination to not participate in the government of national unity if the ministry of mining and petroleum is not designated to SPLM candidate, and threatened to seek IGAD and international arbitration! But at the end of the day SPLM leadership ducked and instead endorsed the northern candidate. And that was precisely what I have voiced that if you duck once to your adversary, you will give-in for the second, third and fourth time and so on and your rivals will continue to exploit your weakness, knowing pretty well that you will not be able to hold firm on your principles at the face of fierce waves.
Therefore, prior to issuing statements, voicing sentiments and reservations, we have to be certain that it is in line or accordance with party’s policy so that our comments and statements could have an impact, but not individual voices which were not considered as party’s doctrine!
Here I would like to point out that when the census committee was formed, it composed SPLM and NCP, and the committee started working hand-in-hand in preparation of conducting Sudan’s fifth census as stipulated in peace agreement, which was crucial to determine as whether Sudan is an Arab or African country. But unfortunately, due to the continued war in Darfur and lack of accessibility to some remote areas in south, the fifth census ran short to people’s expectations. The Sudan’s fifth census was supposed to be conducted to demonstrate the actual number of Africans, Arabs, Christians and Muslims in Sudan, so that Sudan can determine its true identify. But that never happened, simply because NCP jeopardized and tinted the fifth census on its own style. At the midst of this and what captured my attention most was the SPLM/GoSS stand, when it voiced its determination to boycott fifth census in south Sudan, unless tribe and religion columns are inserted in the census form.
At this context, one wonders, as where was the SPLM/GoSS census committee right away from the beginning when tribe and religion columns were omitted from census form! I believe and in my view, as joint committee nothing will be certified unless by two sides consent.
Thus, despite SPLM/GoSS reservations, the census kicked off but it was poorly conducted as even great number of families in Juba and rural areas were never reached by numerators, leave alone South Sudanese IDPs in north and Diaspora. Was this not a clear indication that Sudan’s fifth census conduction and results has been jeopardized by Khartoum from the first place, while we are watching? Thus, if we may ask ourselves, who granted this golden opportunity to NCP/Khartoum, was it not me and you, and then why all this squabble over Sudan’s fifth census results, are we not cornered and bond to accept its results, as we was cornered and forced to accept omission of tribe and religion columns at census form, and as partners are we not contributors of this mess right away from the begin! I wish if we (SPLM and subjugated people of Sudan) could hold firmly on our principal ethics and to not wither under any circumstances, even though if it could take us thousands of years to achieve. We SPLM and the marginalized people of Sudan has sacrificed our own lives and granted too much concession to Khartoum, and it is now time to obtain and not to give!
The author is a Sudan Tribune journalist. he can be reached at [email protected]