Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
July 10, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The two peace partners in Sudan will discuss in the coming days the possibility of establishing a North-South confederation system rather than two separate states option available in the 2011 self determination referendum in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed over five years ago.
The ruling Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM kicked off the meetings designed to discussed post-referendum arrangements, six month away from the key vote by the Southerners on their future.
The former South African president Thabo Mbeki who chairs the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) addressing the participants at the meeting that the choice made by the people of the South at the referendum will be respected by the AU and the international community.
Mbeki however appeared to be attempting to steer the NCP & SPLM away from the option of full independence of the South.
“In the 21st century, the world has changed, and especially Africa has changed. No nation is an island sufficient unto itself. The African Union is itself an expression of the African continent’s desire for integration and unity. The striving towards economic and political integration is more than a manifestation of Africa’s deep-seated recognition that our strength comes from our common identity. Closer ties among ourselves are a necessity for our continent’s security and development” he added.
But the AUHIP chairman stressed that this vision does not does not contradict with the right of self-determination for the Southern Sudanese.
“They have and shall exercise that right, at the time and in the way determined in the CPA. But the drive towards African integration and unity provides a context to the establishment of the nation-state different from what obtained fifty years ago” Mbeki said.
He presented four options to the NCP & SPLM on the form of the Sudanese state after January 2011 with the first being “two independent countries with no durable links” and where citizens needing visas to cross the border.
The second option would be “two independent countries existing within a broad and negotiated framework of cooperation making for soft borders that permit freedom of movement for both people and goods”.
Option three speaks of “two independent countries which negotiate a framework of cooperation, which extends to the establishment of shared governance institutions in a confederal arrangement”. The last scenario involves a decision by South Sudanese at the referendum to vote for unity.
SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum who spoke at the opening session of the negotiations Saturday said the referendum would allow the south to “reset” its troubled relationship with the north, whether southerners chose unity or separation.
“If the choice is separation, then we will be ensuring that there will be good cooperation between the two independent states. It could take the form of a confederation. It could take the form of a common market,” Amum said.
Amum promised to negotiate with the NCP “in good faith” to reach an agreement on post-referendum issues and reiterated his warnings that the self-determination must be held as planned.
“Failure to conduct it concurrently with the referendum for the people of southern Sudan, as stipulated in the CPA, renders risk of slipping our country back to the conflict, a scenario none of us want to see,” he said.
Idris Mohamed Abdel-Gadir, an NCP figure said his party is still working on making unity attractive while emphasizing the southerners’ right to freely choose between unity and separation.
“Sudan’s unity is still our priority and at the same time we stress on the southerners’ right to decide their destiny according to the international principles and standards,” he said.
Both delegates said later that they would consider four options put forward by Mbeki. The latter said his document was not intended to serve as an agenda or a draft agreement.
Many contentious post-referendum items have yet to be addressed particularly nationality, national debt, water agreement with the border demarcation process well behind schedule.
About 75 per cent of Sudan’s proven reserves of 6.3bn barrels are in the south but the pipeline that carries the oil to export terminals and refineries runs through the north. The south needs Khartoum’s co-operation to sell its oil; the north needs revenues from its neighbor’s resources.
The SPLM said it may continue sharing oil revenues even after a possible independence in order to avoid an economic collapse in North Sudan.
(ST)
DASODIKO
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
My advice to all people in South of Sudan is to choose seperation as a first step. Then any type of future relation with our ex-brothers in north would be discussed in the future. Its very early to determine the relations between North Sudan and the South. But I am very sure that other parts will follow the footsteps of the South of Sudan to go for good. Because; changing atitudes on people of North Sudan will take 100 years time, buy that time the independent South Sudan may become a supperpower country who knows, look at change that happned for Japan after a war.
Bol Bol
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
There is nothing wrong with all options. The question why option of self determination falls 4th on the list Mr. Mbeki has put forward? The CPA was reached on the idea of self determination and it was meant to be the last option there would have been no CPA. The confederation was tabled in the past in many peace agreements that were negotiated and signed, but the Northerners didn’t want to hear about it. They saw it as a blockade to their Islamic agendas and even refused to talk about it.
murlescrewed
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
While the introduction of Confederation option is a very encouraging sign, we should be under no illusions that South will opt for anything less than full independence. Softening borders and allowing free economic cooperation between the two sides is the first step towards eventual reunification when both sides have gotten over the war memories and prospered together.
I also think that maintaining the same currency would help further cement economic cooperation. We are essentially the same people but we got off on a wrong foot in 1955.
Machingela gai
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
African leaders,
Don’t try to be followers than being leaders who make real decisions that bear solutions. Reading anything you found on the internet about confederation is not a take here for Sudan’s issue that has been existing for decades. Confederation is not an option to carry that unity forward no matter what you bring forth. No country in Africa ever had civil war and yet settled its dust down through confederation. Why not Eriteria and Ethiopia in 1994 instead of Sudan now? Is that where confederation fits in your leadership? The so called confederation you are introducing was not included in the package of Compherensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005. Where do you get it? Where is the countour that shows it will make things become easier than they are if it is tried?
Its introduction is a implementation of 1972 Adda Ababa agreement which then later resulted into another 1983 break away. It is the same assumption of 1956 when the British left Sudan with hope that South should not create its own state other than this one curse and frying Sudan through wars. Enough is enough. We need to rest and build up ourselves instead of guns on our shoulders and bushes our home all the time. Do what you are doing, but know this: South without confederation, yes; South with confederation, no.
Gatwech
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
Dear readers,
We don’t need half-meal this time!
It is very dangerous this time that people who pretend like hyenas among the sheep want to take the front seat in the so-called post-referendum arrangements and sell to Jallaba the expected freedom of our people (independence).
First, this South African official called Thabo Mbeki should not secure his AU job at the expense of southerners.
Who told him that the so-called ’confederation’ was in the CPA? It was not there and should not be an option. I know late Garang wanted to come up with this during this time of confusion, but……..
Again, this communist boy called Pagan Amum should not get bribed by the North and introduce confederation like Malik Agar. His comment of possible confederation between North and South is an insult to the struggle of the people of South Sudan for total freedom.
Pagan Amum is a communist unionist but now he pretends to be a separatist so that he gets attention from the masses in the South, and then use the opportunity to turn the option of independence of the South to the so-called confederation so that the North continues using the South as a donkey institution and source of revenues.
These so-called unionists in the South have a big problem because they are not supported by the masses. So they want to pretend like separatists and get the support which they can now use to confuse the situation and destroy independence of the South. The people of South Sudan must watchout to these hyenas pretenders.
Unless we cut off the hand of the North from the South Sudan affairs completely through independence, the North will always create internal conflicts in the South to continue exploiting its resources and use the South as a donkey institution.
We don’t need half-meal like confederation, we need total freedom and sovereignty of the South like the rest of the countries who are independent and control their political destiny.
If Africa plans to integrate like what Mbeki said, then South Sudan optionally can later join them as an independent state that has the full authority to dictate terms of such integration.
Pagan Amum, if you are afraid of Jallaba, or money talks, or stressed and exhausted, or for unity, please leave us alone. Leave the negotiations to true nationalists and skillful negotiators who always champion self-determination.
The game you are playing is dangerous and God and the people of south Sudan will not be happy with somebody who pretends to be for them and sells their freedom for another cheap confederation which is NOT even mentioned in the CPA. This is a violation of the CPA!!!
It is a shame that you want to pass on the struggle to the next generation because definitely confederation cannot be a solution. The North can fool you into confederation and later refuse you to decide to go away. They will demand other things a condition for withdrawal. The next generation, which are your children, will suffer the consequences. Don’t be so cheap like that by accepting confederation.
Take care guys because God is watching the time nears.
Dr. Luka Biong Deng of cabinet affairs in Khartoum should also watch his steps because his interest to be in Khartoum this time is probably to coordinate unity efforts with Jallaba through the projects (money) to bribe people and may be rig the referendum. Guys take care and do the right thing. God is watching, the game is coming to an end and can be very dangerous. And I mean very dangerous. We in the Diaspora are also doing our best to convince the international community to support and recognize independent South after referendum. But don’t confuse us and them please through other non-CPA strange issues like confederation. It is a shame!!!
Be on the safe side!!!
Amir Ageeb
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
Former South African president Thabo Mbeki is wise man, and is presenting wise options but it is too late for all that… separation has been well-planned and sketched to occur in time.
All options will end down to failure; and the NCP is wasting Sudanese peoples’ time and efforts.
Regards,
AAMA
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
These proposals are a little bit blur for simple citizens to understand. It should be either a full blown seperation/independance or a confederation the keeps a same country name and flag, currency, passport, symbolic presidency (to be rotated) and a unified foriegn affairs policy and representation (which is not that much diffrent from what is already there now). And honestly, i don’t see that happening, the NCP and SPLM just cannot get along together.
James Okuk Solomon
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
YES WE CAN have our independence by thick or thin; and YES WE CAN’T have unity of the Sudan by fraud and tricks.
Long Live the INDEPENDENCE aspiration of the separatist South Sudanese because this where we shall have the real freedom to built our DIGNITY.
Hillary B.M.L,M
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
Term Confederation should not be use or mention, it is a very bad ward, i dislike it i don’t want it to be mention, may God eras it out from any Sudan forever.
Hillary B.M.L,M
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
. Correction!!!!
I mean any Sudanese
Thyinka
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
The South and North should separate so that the politics of divide and rule is set aside and both countries focus on economic cooperation otherwise they ruling clique in the North will continue to cause unrest in the South by funding rebellions within the South and in the neighboring countries. Therefore, Southerners should choose separation for security reason in any case.
Deng Garang Akech
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
Dear readers,
We need to know the people choice and decision toward seperation and unity of the state. I Deng Garang Akech, will tell you too late for all us ! To make peace attractive was everythings for Sudanese people toward unity of Sudanese at larg. And where is it between NCP and SPLM ? Please President Thabo Beki Southern Sudanese will vote you out like South Africans in Parliament if you don’t make use of CPA AS IT IS.Thank you and you need to respect people choice at this time frame to Southern Sudanese for seperation is the only wayout for us with our friends the Arabs at all cost will be possible? Good Bye to our friends 09/01/2011!
Jamjamez
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
For Mbeki or the general African Union to route for confederation in Sudan is a direct disrespect to the conquest of the freedom by the people of southern Sudan and many other marginalized people in Sudan. If African Unity on the base of economy and security is important, then they should have acted quickly before letting us lose millions of life in the fight for our freedom and Identity.
It will be greater mistake for the people of southern sudan to accept confederation at this time when we have the chance to get our freedom which we have never had since the creation of this country. The people of southern sudan must be free to be productive on the african economic front. Otherwise you can not expect the south to be productive economically when they are not free. ONLY free Minds multiply!!! So Mbeki and your like mind Africans: To hell with your Ideas on confederation. Southerners, you should remember, Today; people respect you because of what you have not what they have to give you. We should have our country back.
How silly will this be when the stupid government in Khartuom dont even realize that we are African nation. Who wants the stupids Idealogies of Sharia laws? Please think twice.
However, your thinking about the economy is not bad, we ofcourse are buying on that! but freedom comes first.
Thank you all.
Daniel Juol Nhomngek Geech
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
If the SPLM/A is going to forget millions of people who died in the war between north and South, then we will never forgive them! We youth from Southern Sudan are ready to get our own state rather than going for confederation. In any case the SPLM accept such a proposal then the SPLM/A will have made a very great blunder that will cause us a lot in the future.
The decision concerning Southern Sudan should never be discussed at the leadership level alone but the opinions of the ordinary citizens should be sought for. The pre-referendum should be conducted to get the views of the southerners to see and hear what they say about the system before going for confederation discussion.
I do not vie the idea for confederation simply because the south will never develop at any point of time as long as the North will still has a greater say in southern Sudan affairs. At the same, the insecurity will never end in the South because the Arabs will continue dividing the southern tribes. After this, when there is no change in the south, the north will claim that the government of southern Sudan has failed which will be unfair. We Neeeeeeeeed complete Independence.
Juol Nhomngek Geech Thou.
Kur
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
Confederation is just another rubbish. We will meet at the AU. Untill the whole of Africa is united as country, we shall remain as different states.
Kur
jur_likang_a_ likan'g
Sudan North-South confederation an option on the table
Let the people of South Sudan choose what they want within the framework of CPA. Confederation is a new topic away from CPA. It should not be incorporated into the charters of CPA simply because it is not included in this solemn agreement. CPA should not and must not be renogotiated because it is a deviation from the reasons millions of our people laid their lives for. Anything less than this is a betrayal of Southern Sudanese population and its future generations.
I think Thabo Mbeki thouroughly know what apartheid is. In Sudan we have double sided apartheid. Nothing is painful that suffering under racial and religious apartheid with a forced institutional Arab identity on us black Africans.