SPLM and the neccesity of criticism
By Salah Shuaib
February 3, 2010 — Being in an adequately supported position of sponsoring an expected new state, the SPLM, more than any political umbrella in the South, should answer the nation-building questions in a clear manner.
Having said that, let’s first recognize that criticism is but the “Second Leg of Creativeness” if I correctly translated the artistic wisdom I read- and have adapted- in Arabic.
However, the meaning is that there wouldn’t be a continuingly progressed inspiration for poetry, music, writing, thought, and etc, if we didn’t see a value of criticism, or an importance of having critics in all different aspects of life.
If we want to transfer that wisdom from the literature field to the political one, then one may see that our politics is in need to those critics whose duty is to help politicians to see themselves in the others’ mirror. Theoretically, the wisdom is noble and revealed.
But one opines that our political parties were, and are, working in, or say working for finding, an environment hostile to a constructive criticism, which is the only factor in helping Sudanese politics prosper.
In fact, what was happening in the past and current Sudan is nothing more than suppressing courageous voices calling for freedom, democracy, human rights, ending marginalized policies, and all that what the era requires.
Frankly, criticizing the SPLM political experiment that has tested itself in governmental practices peacefully, just for five years ago today, is a task we didn’t exercise in order to see the SPLM positive and negative things.
From my readings to these criticisms intending to judge, or measure, SPLM political path, I can conclude by saying that there are three kinds of such criticisms, one is ideological, the other is created by those parties competed with the Movement, and the last is trying to be fair, so long as there is a benefit to maintain the SPLM, instead of trying to crush it by word arms.
As a believer in the necessity of achieving the New Sudan in our general scenes, whether the current Sudan is of future facts or the South is going to promote itself as a state, I always proclaim that the SPLM approaches should be clear as to the address and act concerning the nation –building questions.
One may say that I mean just the SPLM clearness toward the Center policies I care about, but I am, rather, concerning about the South as I do with the center. The reason is simple. Those dedicated themselves, since a while, to concern of Sudan’s marginalized areas are seen themselves as sons of such Areas. I believe that even if the brothers in the South have preferred to create their own state, that option doesn’t liberate us of humane obligations to share, in good faith, burdens with those responsible. Inevitably, at that time more who believe in Garang’s new Sudan concept will offer available experiences to build the expectedly created country.
I wrote, three years ago today, an article-about the south-for the Alsahafa newspaper, and from which I quote this paragraph: “implementing the New Sudan framework will be necessary, whether the South is part of Sudan or not. That Garang’s inspired idea wasn’t eager to eradicate Islam or the “Sudanized” Arabism, we have not seen an evidence of hostility towards Arab and non-Arab Muslims through SPLM struggles that kept the prisoners of war, at the time we did not find one prisoner of war kept by the central government. The second evidence of the nobility of the New Sudan idea is that the late hero John Garang admitted, in multiple speeches, that Arabic is to remain an official language of the New Sudan he dreams to achieve.”
Seeking return to the criticism issue and the SPLM nation-building efforts, I see there are three fatal failures in the SPLM governmental legacy:
1_Ignoring the role of the media:
Once, I spoke with my friend Mohammed Al-Mu’tasim Hakim, after joining the SPLM, and I had told him that he as an experienced journalist should convince the Movement’s leadership to pay more attention to its need for the institutionalized media, as a key element in today’s politics.
Beyond that, after a long debate continued for days, I had to suggested for Hakim the idea of providing, based on my experience in media institutions, a proposal for establishing the SPLM’ s media institutions, and he had approved my suggestion. I sat for two days and had lied out my vision for basing a newspaper, TV channel and a cultural center, in the name of the late hero John Garang. Together, we discussed the vision, and later on, he had told me that this vision couldn’t be implemented unless the author achieved it through being part of the SPLM membership. Then, he asked me to join the Movement, but I had told him that I did not join any political organization in my entire life and that I am not going to do so, affirming him that I can help if the brothers in the Movement need my help at the process of the implementation of the vision, which had reached to Mr. Pagan Amum’s office, but I believe the vision was totally ignored, and no any concern of what I suggested was seen.
We have seen how the National Congress Party sought to employ the country’s media apparatuses against the movement, and the rest. So far, there is no any professionally institutionalized media that befits the SPLM approaches it wants to apply in both the center and the South.
2_Conducting not intellectual conference and institutions:
Politics and thought coexist to fulfill the present and future subjects. There is no any single political movement that would thrive without thought. There must be strategists who inform the people and educate them through media channels.
So far, the Movement Has failed in conducting a comprehensive intellectual conference that produces well-thinking proposals or academic papers for comprehensive development. It is true that there are efforts being helpful for the South’s political and intellectual issues, but for the strategic thought there are those who dedicated themselves for strategic thoughts addressing the issues of religion, cultural production, economy, tourism promotion, sport, the media, and the like. It was expected that the Movement conducts an internationally intellectual Conference with the participation and the presence of eminent personalities from regional and global boundaries, to brainstorming on the future of development in the South. This proposed conference may provide urgently varied benefits. Now, there are no well-equipped intellectual institutions in the South to deal with the cultural dialogue between the SPLM intellectuals and their rivals, whether in the South, or else where. Politicians alone are not able to accomplish goals, but with the participation of academic researchers there could be opportunities for them to take advantage. I hope that the SPLM, unlike old Sudanese parties, concerns with the importance of establishing research and thought institutions, which must be boosted with technical equipments and highly trained researchers. And there is still an opportunity to hold a special conference to discuss issues of region, religion and culture, social and educational, and etc. Thanks for the “Ustaz” Malik Agar for establishing that notable cultural center in Damazin.
3_Non-reaching out to Arab countries
Today’s world is based on mutual interests, regardless of cultural and, ethnic and religious differences. The South’s Interest should be seen through assessing distinguished relations with Arab countries, also regardless of their historic positions versus the SPLM so long struggle to bring about a Naivasha Accord. Caving in the past grievances doesn’t generate political aspirations, but what it does is to consider for a future based on the findings of the current situation you can build on. I was expecting that the Government of the South would engage in such targeted visits, led by Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardet, to Arab countries, in the hope of establishing political relations based on economic, industrial, commercial and educational goals. There is much that can be given by the Arabs to the South in the field of investment, and in return there is much that can be given by the South in the field of tourism. Hence, there should be a re-consideration for the relationship with Arab countries in order to ensure these mutual interests. There are many ideological and emotional words against Arabs that can be said by some brothers in the South who have had grievances over Arab countries. But such grievances don’t serve the future aims of the South. In fact, the Egyptian government has extended its efforts with some projects in the South. All Arabs can fallow with usefully multiple projects for the sake of mutual cooperation. Is it difficult for the SPLM to organize an economic conference by the participation of Arab countries to persuade them to invest?
Thus, I wanted to refer to these failures in the SPLM strategic thinking. I am not convinced that all the readers agree with the points I mentioned. But, at least, the aim is to provoke debate about what we should dialogue about for the sake of promoting our concerns.
I, therefore, see that the Movement needs to focus on the intellectual project it wants to base upon building the South. Hopes, only, do not lead to successes, but acts based on a profound strategy.
The conclusion is that the answers of nation-building require a deep dialogue. And dialogue requires a more courage to examine failures. And failures could be eliminated only if we believe that there is a “Second Leg of Creativeness.”
Salah Shuaib is a Sudanese writer and journalist. He can be reached at [email protected]
Luk K Dak
SPLM and the neccesity of criticism
Great article, Salah. The SPLM’s message is confined due to lack of strong media outlets to carry it to the people who should be hearing over and over again. To learn this reality, the hard way, of course, they should look no further than their partners, the NIF/ NCP.
Without the media, everybody will be in the dark.
kuminyandi
SPLM and the neccesity of criticism
I do agree with Ustaz Salah Shuaib. SPLM needs to find new media venues to carry out its visions and policies. Also,through its proposed media, SPLM could encourage and educate its followers through nationals and regionals programs aim to eradicate tribalism, ignorance, and violence among its people.
Kum,
Sudan virus
SPLM and the neccesity of criticism
Salah,
The existence of the SPLM is because Salva distant him self from visiting Arab countries.See what happened to Deng Alor just recently in Ethiopia-he was poisoned.
DR.John Garang announced during the signing of the CPA that every country world wide is welcomed to invest in the Sudan.Why do you want the SPLM to beg Arab countries when the way is open?
China,India, Japan a few but to mention and some African countries started relationship with the south before war,during war Between the south and north and
or after the signing of the CPA.
You will get adequate details on my article if published.Arabs are instead the ones who do not want to be cristized.
kumii
SPLM and the neccesity of criticism
Let Africans Unit and the World Take Concrete Measures against Unlawful Institutional Acts
Let African elites, business men, farmers, students, elders all of us with love for African people, tradition, religion, culture and all resources unit for emancipation from local colonialists and end up brutal governors’ rule. Let us be committed for social justices, rule of law unit and work together for African citizens’ rights –let us start by producing a one T – shirt or hat with the scripts, “rule of law and social justice in Africa”. It helps us think and work together, share both the vision for social justices and friendship as well as join our heart and hand against African pains, poverty, humiliations, genocide and ethnic clearance generated from the group in power. We observe excessive reluctant and less emphases by developed nations and international community to end or stop the criminal acts of “African leaders” as they were doing against apartheid which was unlawful as many current African governments. Let us unit to call international communities to work with us and take tangible measures against dictators and ensure freedom for African people. Let us jointly work to persuade world leaders and international agencies change their mind to think “support for food and infrastructure is enough” for Africans. Let they not send their money to us through African leaders who finance own institutions, power and facilities that perpetuate our enslavement. Let the world stand and think that we are human being like them, but deprived of freedom, snatched our rights by the governments with which they make agreement, to whom they give money for our education, health and development.
What always shocking me is that international institutions send money for us through those who are using that money against us, who are already engaged in impoverishing us, who are working to eliminate us, who already enslaved us. Financial and technical supports strengthen such governments and build their capacities to practice more crime, widen their illegal acts, create and finance many illegal institutions against humanity and the rule of laws. They cover their shortage of money and facilities, help them to train additional man power who violate human rights and keep them in power, to pay incentives for those acting against the law, to create employment opportunity, education, pay house allowance and per diem for those who are violating human rights on the other hand and weakening us from time to time on the other. Those who put themselves in power and call themselves a government don’t face any check and control due to lack of capacities of local people and reluctance of international community. They use such gaps and decide, act as they like on all aspects of human life at the expenses of Africans survival.
Let all African youths, adults and the elderly( affected in all sectors by those who call themselves a government, who appoint themselves as a leader, who establish economic, political and cultural institutions that safeguard their power and security; ensure their vision eternality and supremacy over citizen) work together against violation of law and “end up ruling for ever” by those who control power throughout their life and transfer the political and economic power of the citizens to their descendents, children or groups/affiliates. Let us have our own priority and slogan every year and start by saying “End up Ruling Forever” for this year. Let us assist each other work together, share information and experiences, safe guard each other like that of our opponents, “Africa leaders” who aggressively work not to miss each other from power, who collaborate to see each other as the representatives of their country and head of state on African Union meetings forever. They developed a kind of emotional attachment, feel sympathetic to one another and help for one another when any one of them is won in election or face genocide charge. They seriously think either facing genocide charge or lose of power by one of them risk the other as the punishment of Albahsir by genocide and war crime may extend fears to its neighbors.
All Africans, we have tasted the sour life due to uncontrolled and excessive violation of law and injustices practiced against our survival, destiny and hope by the eternal rulers in our respective countries. We faced this starting from birth, with our poor father and poor mother while growing as a child; with our children and partner when we are adults and care for new generation. We never see the progress towards its end; rather regress when it is worsening. We all Africans are living the same life though we are not seeing each other; speaking the same language though we are not listening to one another. Our life in Ethiopia, especially for Oromos is dark always. Africans are losing African tradition, culture developed by the Oromo people for generation. It is time to take action and protect those whose survival is getting threatened like that of Oromos. TPLF never believes Oromos as human beings that have rights and equal with others under the rule of law. Our parents were land less tenant. We started to serve landlords at 13 with barefoot and dilapidated clothes. We took grains and money to the land lords. We know Ethiopian governments are ruining Oromo children by violating the rights of parents
We are worrying that the position of our children will continue like that of ours and our father so far as one group of people (TPLF) decides on the fate, power and resources of Oromos. This is what Oromo fathers and mothers inherited to their children. Power and decision making are decisive in determining the means and the end of ensuring social justices which we are deprived of. This is why I want to bring our parents, our existing life and our children situation to the attention of African brothers and sisters.
From 1900 to 1970/80 our world has passed a lot of advancement towards human rights, liberty and social justices by abolishing one man rules (kings and dictators), absolute power of groups of people, abolishing slavery, making many countries free from colonialism. But recently dictatorship, absolute power, one party systems are evolving, reviving, developing, expanding in Africa( Meles promised to work for democracy when he came to power to get time, stabilize the people, get the support of democratic governments of western countries) and getting more and more deepening by abusing civilization, law, technology and media. Now which systems of ruling Meles and his TPLF are demonstrating and teaching African leaders? Answering this question by researchers, human right activists and western powers are imperative to decide African fate towards democracy. African leaders are sharing experience among themselves on how to rule their people for ever. They support each other when their powers are threatens by citizens and the rule of law. They consult each other to see and get one another on power everlastingly. I feel fear this might cross seas to western democratic countries unless it is gradually eliminated in Africa. African leaders know if true democracy is exercised in one country, it is a threat for the other one. They have to help each other to keep one another on power. Developed countries have taken measures to abolish slavery and slave trade, colonialists as well as apartheid of South Africa. But, they don’t have courage and commitment like that of the past to work towards emancipation of millions of people from decisions and actions of ingenious dictators.
They have been never taking serious measures on brutal African leaders who are the sole source of poverty, inequality, injustices and absolute power. We rather see the “cycle of empowerment and disempowerment”. The western countries are consistently empowering the people in developing countries while African leaders are constantly disempowering their people. This cycle continuous till it is broken through transferring political and economic power to citizens so that the people empower themselves and the empowerment of the western for African becomes sustainable.
TPLF led Ethiopian government works day and night by media, by the name of development, democracy and the rule of law to change all people for itself (disempowering others) and not for others (empowerment). It works hard to create the state of mind that believes the right organization is only TPLF and the right leader is Meles and other parties are anti democracy and the duties of citizens is to be ruled and approve the power of TPLF through nominal election every four years . Living without being submissive and without praying to Meles is impossible and this is extremely frustrating. The power and resources are entering in the hands of TPLF and groups surrounding it while who think and behave differently are disempowered from time to time. Thinking and actions are encouraged towards taking Meles as GOD and TPLF as angels and superior in thinking and actions. Incentives are given and thinking like TPLF are encouraged and rewarded get education opportunity, employment and promotion. The groups, parties or individuals who think differently are discouraged starting from loss of opportunities for education, employment to facing sever punishment. We are practicing not only poverty and humiliation, but “Social, Economic, Cultural and Psychological Death”, not recognized as genocide (it has to be recognized) by others; but by far more suffering and painful than physical death as it is degrading and humiliating one generation after the other. When I see all severely life in Ethiopia as a tenant with my parent and the current government abusing the intellectual power, economic and humanitarian support of the west to own resources and power, I am asking my self, why we get a child? Why do we give birth for slave child? Why we send them to school?
American and many western countries are seeing new leaders emerging from time to time. But in African countries including Ethiopia, the head of the state and government are the same all ways for long time; when Americans were led by the 3 presidents, Meles is the head of state when Clinton was president, when Bush was president and still when Obama is a president). When do you think ruling (TPLF) and being ruled (the citizen) for ever ends in Ethiopia? Let the leaders born from democracy , grown it, worked and lived for social justice and equality discuss, work seriously and show their concrete commitment to end one man and one party rule and manipulation and abuse of citizens and hence the life of many people will be absolutely changed.
In its recent meeting African Union represented by those who call themselves government and who are not appointed by the people participated taken technology and communication a priority for African at present or point of discussion? If really true elected leaders were there or if the leaders consulted the people and vast majority what would be the priority when almost all Africans are affected by the brutal local colonialists, uncontrolled power and decision of groups that put themselves on power, appointed themselves a government, who are hostile to their own people, who don’t know people and people don’t know them; who knows rule of laws and democracy on paper and who changes the fundamental meaning of democracy, rule of law, good governance, human rights, international and national laws for their own political and economic power, who abuses all sorts of life like illiteracy, resources, enlightenment, international cooperation, human rights; religion and tradition. All controls of power, abuses every thing, changing and diverting the meaning of concepts are for the sole of keeping self on political and economic power for ever, taking back African mentality to servitude, creating the mass economic, technological and political dependency through disempowering all citizens in all aspects.
What would be the priority? What are the meanings of technology and communication, who will better benefited from them? How technology and communication have been used to violate human rights, for genocide, for flourishing and long life of the dictators? Is technology not used for dictators, security, for their propaganda, easily controlling those who fight for social justices and democracy; is not used for internal conflict, civil war, to keep African dictators in power, manipulate laws; has not technology used to suppress the mass voices, strengthen and expanded the influences of brutal leaders, has not they strengthened hostility.
What was their intention when raising “technology and communication” is it to make them under the control of the majorities? Is to make access for all? Is to avoid its control by few individuals or groups? How this will be monitored that technology is used and backing the rule of law, democracy, social justices, alleviation of poverty, emancipation of African citizens from local colonialists, promoting human rights; what are the tools to control the technology and communications are not abused and not used for violation of human rights and injustices; served the majorities and accessed and controlled equally. Concepts of the slogan have to be changed and this should be worked and pressured by developed countries, phylantrnoics organizations, agencies, humanitarian organization through out the world to work on “Technology and Communication for the Rule of Law and Social Justices”.
Kumii Tumi