Egypt is wrong
By Machien J. Luoi
July 28, 2009 — Poverty and Conflicts in Southern Sudan and around the world are as old as the origins of mankind. Therefore, the Egypt’s claim that Southern Sudan secession in 2011 referendum will result in heightened poverty, conflicts and regional instability is wrong. Instead, Egypt should welcome Southern Sudan independence when it is arrived at.
Speaking to the Chinese Special Envoy on African Affairs Liu Guijin, and reported by the Sudan Tribune on July 28, 2009, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul – Gheit claimed, Southern Sudan secession will lead to “regional instability.” He added that such a move by Southern Sudan “would lead to proliferation of poverty and internal conflict within the new state.” These claims in my view are blatant lies and propaganda aimed at spreading fears about independence of Southern Sudan. Egypt had once wanted Sudan to be part of its territory. Unfortunately, Sudanese in 1956 decided to be independent from Egypt, and Egypt did not stop them. Now, it is concern about Southern Sudan independence from Northern Sudan, not Egypt. The ill intentioned propaganda of Egypt against the Southern Sudan independence is aimed at protecting its 1929 and 1959 water deals with British and Sudan respectively. The 1929 British-Egypt water agreement said, “Egypt has the right to veto projects upstream on the Nile that would affect its water share of 55.5 billion cubic meters a year, the lion’s share of the river’s total flow of around 84 billion cubic meters.” While the 1959 Egypt–Sudan agreement adds-on to the previous accord and “gives Egypt the right to 55.5 billion cubic meters of Nile water a year.” Consequently, independence of Southern Sudan does not only threaten the ratios of the water allotted to Egypt, but probably the agreements entirely. This is why Egypt has embarked on a campaign to discredit the importance of Southern Sudan independence.
Regrettably, what Egypt does not know is that Southern Sudan secession and independence cannot be halted by old accords of 1929 and 1959 which Southern Sudan people did not consent to. Secondly, Southern Sudanese are well learned about their internal affairs and world around them today than in 1929 or any other time in their history. Hence, they are capable of solving their internal conflicts alone or with help of their allies now and will do so after their independence. Therefore, fear mongering about Southern Sudan independence have no anchorage in any studies but blatant lies. Thirdly, poverty, conflicts and regional instability have always been there and will continue to affect people in Sudan, Egypt and the world regardless of Southern Sudan independence. Poverty, conflicts and regional instabilities were there in pre-colonial eras, during colonialism and in the post- colonial Africa. Such tribulations are not limited to new states or Southern Sudan. Fourthly, Southern Sudan’s independence is inevitable, neither Egypt nor Egypt’s allies will stop it.
Instead of railing against it or envying Southern Sudan independence, Egypt should embrace it. For instance, the 1929, 1959 and the Nile Basin countries’ consultative agreements are “neither Quran nor the Holy Bible” and may be revised or cancelled with independence of Southern Sudan. This alone should convince Egypt that, an independent Southern Sudan will be a force to reckon with, not only regionally but also internationally. Thus, Egypt should be careful about its irrational statements about Southern Sudan independence. Alternatively, it should embrace and orchestrate initiatives that will enhance its relationships with government of Southern Sudan and its people. Egypt is wrong and should refrain from making such irresponsible statements.
The author is writing from Bentiu, Unity State – Southern Sudan; and can be reached at [email protected].