Khartoum and the East African Community

This article is in response to:

IsaSAIAH ABRAHAM’S ARTICLE: TURN DOWN KHARTOUM REQUEST FOR EAST AFRICA MEMBERSHIP.

BY DENG SAM ON

This article carries with it a piece of puzzle in my heart as to why Sudan this time wants to join the East African Community. Why not long ago? Mr. Abraham, you are a cautious man who can see reasons as they appear. What Sudan is doing now is part of the cold war that exists between South Sudan and the Sudan. Sudan is a master of copying and pasting and that is it. At first, when Sudan heard that South was introducing a new currency they did the same because of fear of economics crash. The rulers of that country (Sudan) have even forgotten about making other decisions because they are busy doing the opposite of what South does or wants to do. Sudan must be rejected on many grounds and am sure it will happen. Article 3 of the East African Community treaty states the following among others:
(a) adherence to universally acceptable principles of good governance, democracy, the rule of law, observance of human rights and social justice;
(b) geographical proximity to and inter -dependence between it and the Partner States;
(c) social and economic policies being compatible with those of the Community.
According to part (a) above, where does Sudan get its score for admission in to the community? Is CPA fully implemented so that Sudan qualifies on principle of good governance? The South Kordufan, Blue Nile and Abyei issues are outstanding. Is Democracy surely existing in that country even after constantly arresting the opposition leaders? Does ethnic cleansing and bombing of civilians in South Kordufan mean rule of law and observance of human rights plus social justice? I need help to understand this. Here the score for entry is zero for Sudan and that makes it unfit for admission.
Part (b) is self explanatory and straight forward. Sudan has no geographical proximity with East African countries. Where does Sudan border with any East African country lie after south seceded? Nothing at all. This is another zero score for the country.
Part (c) which is about social and economic policies being compatible with those of the community. Well, Sudan qualifies on Economics ground but not on social one. The social policies of the Sudan are quite opposite to those of the East African countries. The religion has so much overtaken the social life of Sudanese to the extent that the latter applies everywhere like a joker in the cards game. The social policies are intermingled with the religious one and that affects Sudan position to become a member.
Article 6 of the East African community says the following among others about the fundamental principles of the community:
(a) mutual trust, political will and sovereign equality;
(b) peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness;
(c) peaceful settlement of disputes;
The same analysis as in article 3 applies here again. Sudan’s political will and sovereign equality died a natural death long time ago. In fact what exists now is lack of trust and will. The peaceful co-existence between Sudan and East African countries is something that everyone knows about and deserves no much mention. Can anyone tell me what it means supporting outlawed LRA (Lord Resistance Army) to destabilize Uganda? Is that co-existence? As for peaceful settlement of disputes, Sudan is a bad student to attend a lecture about peace. If Sudan, on many occasions has failed to honor her internal peace initiatives, how will that happen in East African community? This is placing a cart in front of the horse. For the records, how many disputes has Sudan settled within and outside the country? It is hell of nothing.
Another article of the East African Community that disqualifies Sudan is Article 8. It talks about general undertaking as to implementation. Here it says and I quote: “The partner states shall abstain from any measures likely to jeopardize the achievements of those objectives or the implementation of the provisions of this treaty.”Now, with this statement at the back of everyone’s mind, is Sudan cleared from the list of nations sponsoring terrorists and their network? Is this not jeopardy to the charter of the East African Community? Another statement from article 8 is that of Kiswahili being a lingua Franca of the community. Is Sudan ready to drop her use of Arabic Language in all endeavors to suit the need of East African community?
Sudan was there when the East African community was formed in 1967 but failed to do this during all that period until the community collapsed in 1977. Where was Sudan to become a member that time? Again after its revival in 2001, Sudan paid deaf ears and never showed sign of interest in the affairs of this community. Today after hearing South Sudan planning to join the community, they are as usual dragging their feet to become one. Why now? The intention is politically motivated and has nothing much to do with the Economy. Sudan’s request for membership deserves rejection out rightly because they don’t qualify if one looks at the treaty guiding formation of that community.

The author lives in Juba and is a member of the SPLM. He can be reached at [email protected]