Sudan’s envoy has to stop denying

By Isaiah Abraham

June 17, 2010 — The Sudanese Ambassador to the United Nations, H. E. Abdul Mahmood Abdul Haleem wanted countries sympathizing with Southern Sudanese Independence chores cease from supporting the people of that country, and their leaders/government-GOSS. He was irked by a high level delegation from the Southern Government and the SPLM currently lobbying to members of the United Nations Security Council, for an emerging reality in the Sudan, namely the Independent new state called Southern Sudan. Mr. Ambassador targeted the Western governments in particular. To him, the matter is still an internal Sudanese affair. He didn’t like specifically the presence of the SPLM Secretary General Mr. Pagan Amum Mr. Amum on his side was honored as an observer, and he uses that opportunity to meet with Ms Suzan Rice, the US influential Ambassador to the United Nations, Egyptian Ambassador there, Chinese Envoy and the Ugandan Ambassador. The message was unequivocal: prepare to recognize us!

That is a natural diplomatic game in any situation leading to the split of a given country. In our case, that front would continue until the curtain is lowered through the outcome in January 2011. Mr. Mahmood wasn’t out of his mind anyway; he knew what he was saying to others including Southerners. That is, the issue of separation isn’t in the card of his party, but unity. How his party will achieve that unity to others is questionable. The newly appointed Foreign Minister again, another hard liner in the person of Ali Ahmed Karti, went a notch higher about possible tough war when (not if) Southerners decided to vote with their feet to the East African Community. The Minister also echoed President Al Bashir warning about border disputes. He wanted the borders between the two countries demarcated before referendum. But our leader Dr. Machar squared it all. Within forty eight hours therefore things are beginning to get clearer from the National Congress Party (NCP) heavy weights about possibly realities facing the North and the South. Antibah Newspaper, the mouth piece of the NCP hasn’t been left behind either.

Hence, the rhetoric we have been hearing from the leaders of that party (the NCP) about respect for the choice of the people of Southern Sudan when the South chooses separation over unity should now be put into microscopic lens. The President could mean well yeah, but there is a huge clouds hanging over his public pronouncements. The fact that there are voices still with faces to intimidate anything and anyone put his lofty pronouncements into scrutiny. Its amazing how quickly the North and its hardliners could reach the panic button when we still have six months to go. But the President is sharp and knows that there is no two ways about Southern Independence. This is a political fact and Mr. Ambassador shouting surprises many people, inside and outside the country. He lives in the denial or perhaps this is a typical of an Arab chauvinist who never tired of trying and hoping.

Mr. Ambassador, where did it escape your good attention that the separation calls by Southerners hasn’t been s a matter of try and error or a fresh demand. Its just a sheer coincidence that the CPA is one such documents/agreements in which the separation matter was legally magnified. In the CPA true the climax is about referendum; and that referendum is whether the voluntary unity could be made attractive or else the people of Southern Sudan opt for secession. The failure by your government to make unity attractive is also understandable given the South wish to separate willy-nilly. These are open and hard facts we need not play hindsight. The majority of North Sudanese have resigned themselves to that fact. Look Mr. Ambassador, the South would have gone anyway whether unity was made attractive. Even between your lungs, I believe you know better that the unity of the Sudan under any circumstances is a mirage and untenable adventure. Not because it was an impossible mission, but time to do it has been wasted and spoiled by bad governance policies in the center.

When Southern youngsters demonstrate in the Southern capital city Juba on the 9/6/2010, someone called Khalid Al Bashir Al Taheb Mustafa mobilized his Northern youth immediately the next day, to express Northern frustration of keeping the South part of the Sudan. His demo was well attended, emotionally charged and real. No one could mistakenly take Mr. Khalid and his team message very lightly. To him, the earlier the going of the South, the better the future for the North. It is therefore not practical to force unity to the people of the Sudan at this point in time. Besides, Southerners aren’t faking their quest for freedom; our people have paid a price for it, and are ready to do more in the event of sabotage and ploys. We are matured Mr. Mahmoud, we can do it without the North. Mr. Ambassador, sir, your political gimmicks and blackmailing are rejected and unacceptable!

His Excellency The Ambassador, your government has this chance to start serious negotiations with the South on what to do after next year referendum outcome. That is the best place to start correcting for peaceful coexistence of the two countries. Everything is just under the bridge; no amount of tricks and threats will change the course of the people of Southern Sudan for independence. The North has enough resources to sustain itself, why bother about the South that is underdeveloped and far behind compares to you. The South yes shall have problems but we have been living for centuries without any factory and the life never stops. We will not be jealous of the North because of balah and tahania from across our borders. The South sincerely needs political backing from the NCP, because of your party bright history with the Southern Sudan/SPLM. A wise diplomat could do just that, not to hush a matured sentiment.

Its about time for Southern Sudanese to come together and forge ahead for unity of purpose. Let’s begin to overlook our internal differences and stand up for the cause of our people. This is a trying moment in our history; for this next last lap requires a lot from everyone. We must unite to frustrate the NCP hopes of keeping the country together. May be it is time for each Southerner to start contributing towards referendum. This shouldn’t be the task of politicians alone, but for us all. Mr. Akol Kordit, my thump up for that well done job. But in all, the man at the moment is non other than Mr. Pagan Amum Oketch; sir (Amum) stand tall, its gonna be well!

Isaiah Abraham lives in Juba; he is on [email protected]