Khartoum should abide by the UNSC Resolution to end hostility with South Sudan
By Isaiah Abraham
May 8, 2012 — The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council passed a resolution that calls for the halt of hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan within 48 hours, that there has to be unconditional withdrawal of troops from disputed areas as well as a deal (s) signed within three months. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously backed the resolution immediately after. It Chapter Seven Charter informs that where there will be failure by either side the body can apply diplomatic and economic sanctions or military intervention.
Khartoum has since ridiculed it and everyone knows what had happened on the ground and in their media waves. Juba on their side never recovered from the shock of world indifference when it comes to its claim and still fighting anxiety whether to go it alone or just absorb the battering and blows from Khartoum day in day out. However, the two sides shared this denominator that none will cede its position or give in on what they claim, whether there will be sanction or no sanction. They would rather play ‘jerry’ and ‘tom’ now to buy time, but the truth is that there is deep socio-political animosity in the blood and nothing from the outside will erase that feeling.
But issues of contentions between Sudan and South Sudan are clear. One is the border demarcation where an attempt to resolve it was made, but one side (Khartoum) rejected it outright before the ink dried. They have been good at agreeing but slippery when it comes to implementation.
Boundaries are associated with wealth, where the economies of the two countries hang. 1956 boundaries are no longer there, as the rulers in Khartoum manipulated things in the seventies, eighties and nineties due to oil strewn along the borders. Each district has a clear cut boundary with others then. That is not the case at the moment. Khartoum has a large land, and shouldn’t meddle in the land of the people of South Sudan. The West and the European Union in particular shouldn’t fear Khartoum when it comes to serving justice. I’m seeing them shying from confronting Khartoum for no reasons at all. Khartoum isn’t serious about international rules, they are trouble makers.
The other issue is the Abyei where an agreement was signed, but disagreement in the process of implementation forced the two sides to go to The Hague on the borders of that land. A decision was passed, but Khartoum again refused and no one dared asking them why they did just that before the internationally acceptable institutions. The people of Dinka are still waiting for their plebiscite to take place. The problem now is that world keeps groping on what to do to the Sudan; and this is unfair when the big boy mistreat the younger. I want Khartoum to be punished, not Juba as the UN and AU think. In a case or a dispute not all are punish. What the bodies in Europe or Africa decide Khartoum will always find ways of getting away, and no one follows.
How many times did they tell Khartoum to stop attacking South Sudanese, Darfuris, Nuba people and the people of Funj in the East? Hundred times! If they threw away Darfur Peace Agreement what guarantee that they might not do the same for any agreement or deal imposed on them by New York or Addis Ababa? I doubt hence whether the resolution will have an impact on the ground as intended by the UNSC and the AU. Just the other day, after 48 hours dateline, they sent a convoy of over 20 vehicles to attack the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in Paloch-Maluth County in Upper Nile. They were persuaded and willingly the attackers surrendered to the SPLA with no shot of a bullet.
Khartoum has violated the said resolution by simple arming of South Sudanese dissidents, and bombing deep inside South Sudan territories. They never stopped shelling areas East of Panthou where SPLA based since the day they were allowed to enter the town Panthou. There are so belligerent activities in Khartoum aimed at paralyzing the Southern State, one of which is the trade embargo they have imposed on the Republic of South Sudan. There is harassment of the Southern Sudanese living the Republic of the Sudan; some of them are arrested & tortured. The condition of South Sudanese refugees and returnees around Khartoum and White Nile States is deplorable. No jobs to these people and their legal status are withdrawn with transport by air or by the river stopped. What does the United Nations think the Sudan is doing to the people of the Republic of South Sudan?
The United Nations is doing a poor job in this country, so bias that they cite often with Khartoum against the people of South Sudan. Versions of things go against the new republic with no justification. Abyei incident that sparked the Abyei crisis was twisted against the Republic of South Sudan. The same people (UN) around here have been telling New York that Panthou is in the territory of the Republic of the Sudan. Ban Jusa (Ban Ki-moon) of the United Nations became annoying because of ill advice given by the iron lady heading the Unit around here.
Khartoum was made to lie and deny before the watchful eyes of the so-called International Community and no one stood up and challenge them; why are they bombing displaced persons and why are they violating the air space of another country? Khartoum is aware of toothless UN. No one came to question them when they massacre innocent Masaliit and Zangawa tribes in the Western Darfur Region. Non was there when they roam havoc to the people of South Sudan and the Nuba Mountain in the 1990s. What do the people in this world really wait to happen to stop Khartoum exporting troubles others around the globe?
I therefore request my people to stand up and fight for their rights. No one from the West and anywhere cares about the wellbeing of the people in this part of the planet. We must return to Panthou since no one bothers to look into the disputed land. We can even go to Abyei and see that sanction whether it will have an impact. Let these people bring their threats; they don’t know the pain we have from these people North of our land. They will understand us in the process, but the business of liberating and securing our territory must continue.
See, our oil is being pump back to the National Congress Party when even the land is in dispute. That resolution in fact didn’t go far enough otherwise it would have asked Khartoum to hold back, and then deploy neutral units (troops) until the disputed land issue is sorted out through arbitration. We hear them talk of Abyei troops withdrawal, but mum on Panthou occupation by the Northern Sudan. Down! Down! Down! With Ban Ki-moon! God bless the people of South Sudan!
Isaiah Abraham lives in Juba; he’s on [email protected]