Is the African Union Gaddafi’s puppet?

By Luk Kuth Dak

July 25, 2009 — You better believe, It is not an allegation that some African heads of states have been ‘ bullied’ by the Libyan tyrant Muammar al-Gaddafi, to pass the resolution of no co-operation with the International Criminal Court ( ICC), on the outstanding arrest warrant on Sudan’s embattled President Omar El Basher, is the latest observable fact and addition to the continent’s misery.

The whole world and the international community are watching in disbelief, how a head of a sovereign state could be a victim of ‘ bulling’ by another head of a state, to make a decision he/she may not have made under normal circumstances.

Ironically, out of the fifty four countries in Africa, only eleven of them are the so-called Arabs’ countries. Yet, the decision making and the control of the so-called African Union, are in the hands of those eleven countries, who happened to be Africans only by non other then geographical … and whose forefathers have invaded African and ripped it off its wealth.

Consequently, the despicable position taken by the African heads of states, to rally their support behind a war criminal instead of his victims from their own blood in Darfur and South Sudan, did not come us a big surprise to those of us who know that in Africa, the mighty dollar walks and talks, and when it does, the African leaders are all ears… which explain how they simply put the whole continent up for sale to the highest bidder… an opportunity Sudan couldn’t have simply let go.

Meanwhile, Sudan fines itself in an awkward position. It’s neither confirming nor refuting the rumors that it has spent billions of dollars in bribes, for the vote against the ICC. Instead, the regime has intensified its offense on just about any African country that dares co-operation with the ICC.

Moreover, Sudan’s interference in Africa’s affairs is no laughing matter. It’s real and dangerous. In just a matter of hours after Uganda hinted it might co-operate with the ICC, the regime of tyrant fugative Omar El Basher wasted no time to resort to its trade mark …the rhetoric of scare tactics and intimidation against the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni personally. And so to avoid a potentially nasty outcome, the Ugandan government quickly recanted its position and distanced itself from the statement issued by the state official.

Unfortunately, It was too late.

One of the Islamic National front’s most extreme journalist, President El Basher’s first cousin and the editor –in- chief of the al-Rayaam, Kamal Hassan Bekhied, was all over the story. He vehemently lashed out not only against Uganda, but the whole of Africa at large.

Here is an unofficial translation of his column:

“ I found myself agreeing with engineer El Tayeb Mustafa in his call for President El Basher not to travel to Uganda, where the next African Union summit will be held.

I didn’t read what was written by El Tayeb Mustafa, but only had a glimpse on a headline of the column, because I was planning to write on the same issue. Reading Mustafa’s column might have influenced me. Hence, I decided no to read his column so that pen my own point of view over the issue.

The reason that Uganda is not secure is that politics there are exposed to market principles of ‘ buy and sell’. This sisterly country is full of foreign intelligence bodies, notably, the Israeli intelligence officers. No doubt, these intelligence bodies are prepared to trap the President, following the failure of all attempts to hand him over to the ICC. We know that many presidents were toppled in different mysterious circumstances in this sisterly country, whose president is sympathetic with external and internal enemies of Sudan. The controversial circumstances, which shrouded the downing of the late SPLM Chairman John Garang, are classified in that direction. Our people in South Sudan are not interested to decode mystery of the death of Dr. Garang. The SPLM didn’t move to follow up the circumstances of downing or shooting down the plane as claimed by many sources.

So the trip to Uganda is a great adventure that shouldn’t be taken, particularly, the AU summits are fruitless… they are only held to making kings and heap up expenditure. Those summits are frequently followed by communiqués praising, thanking or denouncing in the way wind blows.

Yes, It is a great adventure that shouldn’t be embraced. It’s enough that President El Basher has challenged the ICC decision many times before. So there is no need for taking a risk at this time.

Many African countries worship money… they can do whatever it takes even what human mind cannot grasp in order to solicit money. In some African countries as in other world countries, human being is sold down the river, as well as , principles, values and morals. Once more, President El Basher shouldn’t risk, particularly that such summits only last for one and half days as presence of heads of states are less frequent. The head of states are represented by Foreign Ministers or in some cases by Ambassadors. Again, they are summits without benefits, significance or results.

We should not be tested or plunge into an uncalculated venture even if Sudan is given guarantees, because some could let you down at any time with just anything, particularly that Ugandan President is among supporter of the ICC. We have heard what was uttered by Foreign Minister of Botswana.

SUDAN HAS THE STRONGEST PRESENCE IN EGYPT

This week, Sudan was on spotlight in Egypt, when Egyptian President received El Basher in Sharm El Sheikh. They discussed the bilateral relations and attended the graduation ceremony of the military cadets. El Basher was conferred an order.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian capital, Cairo, hosted the leaders of Darfouri armed movements in an attempt by Egypt to unite them ahead of the next round of talks in Doha. The efforts serve the Doha talks, particularly that the Justice and Equality Movement, is still ambivalent as it is presenting unmet conditions. Earlier, the movement has quashed the participation of other Darfouri faction, on the ground that they don’t military presence on the ground. Yet, there seems to be some new changes in Doha as the aim is to make the talks succeed through unification of all Darfouri factions, to adopt a unified stance and one political will to realize peace.

We back any Arab efforts that aim at bringing bleeding to a halt. We hope that talks will bring about peace to our beloved Darfur. It’s enough for Darfur.”

In conclusion, the persisting question is: When will the African people say that enough is enough of being the world’s followers people, even in our own back yard?

The author is a former anchorman w/ Juba Radio and a Sudan Tribune contributor. He can be reached: [email protected].