US envoy Scott Gration policies for different Sudans

By Steve Paterno

March 28, 2010 — In a two-day series of presentations, discussions, interactions, feedbacks among representatives of Sudanese US based activist groups at a summit held in Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, the US Special Envoy Gen. Scott Gration disclosed what may well be US policy position for Sudan; his views on the prospect for peace, stability and prosperity in that nation.

One won’t discuss Gen. Scott Gration formed opinions, knowledge, and expertise without alluding to his deeply rooted background; past and career. Gen. Gration, son of American missionary parents, grew up in Africa with endured African experience, making his task in Africa appear ideally easy. He started his long military career when he joined the US Air Force, and retired as a Major General. In March of 2009, President Barack Obama, appointed Gen. Gration the US Special Envoy to Sudan—a job full of immense challenges as Sudan’s history since its inception has a reputation of continuous vicious cycle of violent wars.

As the Special Envoy, Gen. Gration not only discovered the intricacy to bring various Sudanese warring parties to one table, but also the difficulties to satisfy the media, the Congress, and the Sudanese advocacy groups in US, who over the years have grown so powerful in shaping US policies toward Sudan. He seems to eventually find out that Washington DC environment is more hostile to him than Khartoum. Even within the administration, Gen. Gration seems to be echoing an odd voice; at times he issues statements contradicting other officials. What gets Gen. Gration into such predicament is his approach toward the regime in Khartoum, perceived as friendly engagement—the gesture that many do not share and fear will not result into desirable US objectives.

However, at the Pittsburgh Summit, organized by Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition, which brought together the representatives of Sudanese Diaspora based activists, Gen. Gration by his own admission acknowledged that in his career as Special Envoy, it was for the first time, among advocacy groups, he faced a non-hostile and non-confrontational audience and received a ‘thank you’ as a token of appreciation for his endeavors for the people and country of Sudan.

In the conference, Gen. Gration opinion appears supportive of a full independence of South Sudan based on the aspirations of its people. South Sudan self determination will be achieved through a referendum exercise, in January 9, 2011. Gen. Gration was unequivocal in predicting the independence of South Sudan, foreseeing the night of January 9, as the day for South Sudan independence. For those following Gen. Gration’s work in Sudan , they shouldn’t be that surprised with his stand on the independence of South Sudan. His works to that end deserve appreciation, given the rigor and intensity he displays. There were times, prior to Gen. Gration’s tenure, the cause of South Sudan was lost and relegated to the backseat within the circles of US policy makers, and in the international community. The focus shifted to the crisis in Darfur .

According to Gen. Gration, the Darfur crisis ended up “overshadowing” the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in South Sudan, hence, requiring a refocus of energy. In June of 2009, Gen. Gration organized a conference of CPA supporters; assembling foreign ministers of over 32 countries to re-energize their efforts in support of peace in South Sudan. Thus, this usher in the hallmark of Gen. Gration approach to the situation of South Sudan, where as it is revealed, he is in a constant contact, at least weekly, with the foreign ministers of these countries to ensure that the CPA implementation process is on track.

Gen. Gration acknowledged an independent South Sudan will not survive on its own without outside help and support. He is proposing that the US and international community should assist in developing infrastructures and capacity for South Sudan institutions. The projects include linking South Sudan and its East African neighbors by rail and other means of communications. However, the shortcomings of Gen. Gration’s vision for an independent South Sudan is that the proposed development for the region is only to be after the independence despite the urgency of the moment to jump start any development activities to prepare South Sudan for peace, stability and prosperity. Beside, South Sudan stands to gain with any development activities, whether in united or separated Sudan.

On Darfur, Gen. Gration’s views and approach may look troubling. He is of the views that the Darfuris have so far never identified their vision for Darfur or Sudan, and failed to articulate any unified objectives as apparent in various Darfuri rebel movements out there. They are only united to fight the National Congress Party (NCP) in Khartoum. Gration insisted that the lack of vision by the Darfuris makes his work much more difficult. He can’t impose an American solution to a Darfuri problem, he argued. So, along this line, his approach is to bring the different Darfur rebel movements in the government. And, if it takes one movement at the time, so be it. After all, he claimed successes in convincing over 80% of these groups through peace negotiation processes.

This approach is problematic; even though all the Darfur rebel movements are lured to join in the Khartoum government, it temporarily solves the symptoms of the problems, but not the root causes. The absence of gunfight does not mean the dawn of peace, the joy of stability and ushering in of prosperity. In this approach, the power, economy, and security still remain fully in tact under the control of Khartoum regime. This is giving the Darfuris fate be decided by the unlikely mercy of Khartoum regime.

Tenure for a Special Envoy has a relative short lifespan. Could it be possible that Gen. Gration in this short period is trying to leave a lasting mark to define his legacy? Such a legacy is readily linked to unfolding events in South Sudan. If Gen. Gration is to have a legacy in the nearest future, then South Sudan practically provided that opportunity. In few months that region will undergo a remarkable and dramatic shift from a marginalized region of Sudan to an independent country. Such a rare occurrence in history is what one proudly associate with; Gen. Gration may not be different here in what he may want to be associated with his job once he leaves the office of Special Envoy. Perhaps he already made a conclusion that the Darfur crisis, difficult as it is, must be left to the next Special Envoy, while in his case; he availed with an opportunity to grab and make a legacy by facilitating and witnessing the independence of South Sudan.

Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at [email protected]