Why Sudan should remain on the terror watch list

By Scott A Morgan

August 25, 2009 — Late in July there was quite a scene in the US Capitol. Congress was in the Process of holding the much anticipated Hearings regarding the Future of the Policy when it comes to Relations with Sudan. We all know that those who have been advocates regarding the Situation in Darfur were angered by the results of the hearings. But there is a Dark Underside No one is Talking About.

On August 24th Dr. Gazi Salahuldine an advisor to Sudanese President Bashir held a Press Conference in Cairo. During the Presser the Advisor made the comment that there was “ Neither political nor moral justification” for Sudan to remain on the US State Department list of sponsors of international terrorism. One has to wonder why he would make such a claim.

At this time there are no “reports” of Sudan being involved in any Acts of Terrorism Committed against either the United States or one of our allies It should be noted that during the Clinton Administration there was an Air Strike against a Milk Processing Plant on the Outskirts of Khartoum in retribution for the Attacks on the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. At one point Al-Qaida was using the Country as a Base of Operations.

Currently the NCP in Khartoum is using various Militias and Ethnic Groups in Southern Sudan to extend its reach. In the Past it has used the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) a Ugandan Militia that replenishes its ranks by Kidnapping Children to fight a Proxy War against Kampala. Late last year a proposed Peace Deal between the LRA and Kampala failed when Joseph Kony failed to sign the Accord. Since then the LRA has launched reprisal raids in the DRC, Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic. And according to some reports they are rearming the LRA as well.

Another Key issue is the upcoming Plebiscite for the Independence of Southern Sudan. Recently the International Court of Justice issued a ruling regarding the Center of the Oil Production in Sudan which is the town of Abeyi. The ruling which gave the Khartoum Leadership the Oil Fields but left the Refineries and other means of Production in the hands of Southern Sudan will probably create another Flash Point.

There are two groups that in the past which have been used by the NCP Leadership in Khartoum which are gaining in prevalence again. There are reports that the NCP have been supplying New Arms to the Jikany Nuer and even the Murle People. These groups were Allied to the North during the Long Civil War.

Although not reported by the Mainstream Media there are two key incidents that may be crucial to whether or not Sudan remains on the terror list. First of all a MP witnessed a Helo Drop of New Weapons from the Sudanese Armed Forces to the Jikany Nuer. Secondly Cartons with SAF markings were found abandoned in an Area in Western Equatoria Province where the LRA had been conducting Operations.

Let’s add up the Data. The Sanctions by the US have been hindering efforts to restore order in Darfur. Now Sudan says it doesn’t deserve to belong on the List of Countries that are State Sponsors of Terror. It has supported efforts to overthrow the Government of Chad in the past. There is a saying that One Man’s Freedom Fighter is another Man’s Terrorist. So this like other things may be in the eye of the beholder.

The Author Publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet and Comments on US Policy toward Africa.