Is The Vision Of New Sudan Feasible In The North "Imposition or preference of Arab and Islamic culture in the north will do more harm than good and might disintegrate the country further". 23 August 2011 By Masmino Gore Jhon, (Manchester, UK)
GURTONG- The new Sudan vision was proclaimed and vigorously pursued by Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) throughout its 21 years of civil war which started in 1983. SPLM/A consistently and unequivocally asserted their intention and objective to fight tooth and nail with the ultimate aim of overhauling the unjust and undemocratic political system in Khartoum. The paramount objective was to bring down the autocratic Islamic government and replace it with a fair and representative government that delivers equal services and development to all people in Sudan regardless of region, ethnicity, religion and cultural backgrounds upon which they hail from. The New Sudan Vision was promulgated by SPLM/A following its inception in 1983 as a rebel movement to fight the injustices and malpractices perpetrated by successive ruling clique in Khartoum against the vast majority of marginalised people in the South, West, East, further North and even central Sudan which was believed to be the hub for development in Sudan. The vision was readily and quickly received and well echoed by many South and North Sudanese alike, particularly those living in the most deprived and appalling living conditions across the Sudan. For instance, the concept of New Sudan Vision resonated well particularly in some of the most neglected and marginalised areas such as Southern Kordofan, Southern Blue Nile, Eastern Sudan, etc . Many compatriots from these regions joined SPLM/A ranks voluntarily and unreservedly in massive numbers to fight for freedom, equal opportunities and fair treatment in their beloved country- the Sudan. Successful military and political campaigns in the South, West and Eastern Sudan were absolute testimonies that SPLM/A was destined to overthrow the regime in Khartoum. Hence, it instiled unceasing nightmares in the NCP ruling clique. To contain the contagious spread of viral New Sudan Vision and inhibit its engulfment of the whole country, NCP leadership - following excessive and relentless pressure from the international community- reluctantly agreed to a peaceful settlement of North-South problem which resulted in the signing of the famous peace accord known as Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. At the nucleus of the CPA was the quintessence of South Sudan Referendum option which was timely, fairly and successfully conducted in January 2011 and delivered overwhelming results of nearly 99% in favour of much-anticipated secession of South Sudan from the North. This option was fully realised in July 2011 when ultimately The Democratic Republic of South Sudan (RSS) was officially proclaimed and unanimously recognised by all countries (including the staunch foe and rival, President Omar El Bashir) in the world as the newest country on the planet. Owing to the short-sightedness and lack of candid political judgement of the unfolding scenario (i.e. independence of South Sudan) some NCP leaders harboured an extensive dim-witted and ill-fated notion that secession of South Sudan might transpire and transform North Sudan into a homogenous and harmonious society governed on the basis of draconian/Islamic religious laws. Furthermore, other political parties such as Just Peace Forum (JPF) headed by El Bashir’s cousin, El Tayeb Mustafa enormously share analogous conviction and fallacious belief that the equation- “north Sudan minus south Sudan equals to peaceful coexistence and Islamic state in the north”. Some key religious and political leaders erroneously arrived at this mistaken conclusion that the independence of South Sudan would rid North Sudan of successive and inescapable devastating civil war(s) and ultimately inhibit the eye-opening and menacing New Sudan Vision which poses impending threat to the wobbly political establishment in the North. Nevertheless, the current political reality in the north presents the contrary; SPLM/A which was mistakenly perceived by its foes in the North as South Sudan fighting force still prevails in the two regions of south Kordofan and Blue Nile states as per CPA 2005 arrangements. These two contingents are undoubtedly determined and focused on renewed fierce struggle until Khartoum/NCP leadership agrees to implement the Popular Consultation protocol as stipulated in the CPA. More importantly, recent strategic, evolutionary and revolutionary decision adopted by SPLM HQ in Juba to disengage/split SPLM/A into two independent political forces- SPLM/A-South under the chairmanship of the President of South Sudan, H. E. Salva Kiir Mayardiit and SPLM/A-North headed by the Governor of Blue Nile, H. E. Malik Agar. This new strategic political dispensation presents a glaringly continuing image of New Sudan Vision in the eyes and ears of North Sudanese, particularly those who falsely believe that secession of South Sudan from the North might bring an end to the civil wars in Sudan and probably lead to formation of viable Arab and Islamic state in the north. On the contrary, prevalence of SPLM/A in the north revives and refreshes the worst case scenario of the New Sudan Vision coming into play once more. Besides, it is more complicated and incomprehensibly challenging this time round as other political forces are fusing with SPLM-North to fight for the New Sudan project. Recent military and political alliance between SPLM-North in South Kordofan unit under the leadership of Commander Abdel Aziz al-Hilu and twin factions of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur and Mini Minawi portrays the fact that New Sudan Vision is destined to pose imminent threat to NCP rule in Khartoum. This newly formed liberation front as known as Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) aims to liberate Sudanese people from supremacy of Arab and Islamic cultures and establishment of democratic, secular and inclusive government in the North. No doubt, this is the exponential impact of New Sudan Vision. Furthermore, in the Eastern Sudan, and particularly Blue Nile state where seeds of New Sudan Vision were unhesitatingly sown and widely blossomed during SPLM/A unified military and political campaigns, alarm bells are already sounding. As long as injustice continues unabatedly against ethnic minorities and non Arab citizens in North Sudan, the struggle will continue until a just, democratic and secular system is established in Khartoum. SPLM/A-North Chairman and Governor of Blue Nile State, H. E. Malik Agar has clearly given strong indication of possible resistance and resilience in confronting NCP leadership in Khartoum following recent attempt by Khartoum National Assembly to amend the original Popular Consultation Bill as stipulated in the CPA 2005. The Bill was drafted without due consultation with the stakeholders (in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states). This tendency to undermine CPA in as far as Popular Consultation protocol is concerned indicates revival of New Sudan Vision as an option/resort to people in these two states. It may be prophesied at this juncture that similar disgruntle voices would soon be echoed across North Sudan and in particular Central States where sizable population of black African and indigenous Sudanese are located. Therefore, to those northern politicians and southerners alike who erroneously believed that SPLM/A vision of new Sudan was a personal invocation of our visionary leader, late hero Dr John Garang de Mabior, they have been proved incorrect. Six years on after his unfortunate martyrdom, the vision of new Sudan project is still manifesting itself in different form and shape and raging on with renewed vigour, dynamism, momentum, wrath and gusto. The re-emergence or continuation of New Sudan Vision in the North is not a new phenomenon to many Sudanese, particularly those who were abreast and believed in this philosophy as the only means upon which the political problems in Sudan could be solved. As a matter of fact, the Vision of New Sudan is in conformity with what late Dr Garang foresaw and asserted repeatedly and effectively during the period of liberation struggle. Through his lectures/speeches, Dr John Garang de Mabior used to urge all sceptics of New Sudan Vision- in particular the South Sudanese- to join the war and fight until they reach the border between the North and South. According to him, those who liberated their territories could stay and safeguard those areas; whilst those compatriots who felt that the solution of Sudan’s problem cannot be achieved by segmentation of Sudan can continue fighting until the unjust regime in Khartoum is overturned. Therefore, secession of South Sudan from the North will not cease pursuit of new Sudan vision. On the contrary, it has given freedom fighters in the North new impetus and determination to fight until they overhaul the regime in Khartoum and institute fair, democratic and inclusive government in the North. The peril of some delusionary leaders in the north as represented in the calibre of the likes of Just Peace Forum (JPF) headed by El Tayeb Mustafa, President El Bashir cousin, is more than likely to worsen the situation and perhaps plunge the country (North Sudan) into more turmoil. His damaging campaigns in the north against the presence of the “African element” in North Sudan and preservation of the “purity” of the country’s Arab and Islamic identity is a pure fantasy dream. El Tayeb and his supporters who sarcastically and disdainfully celebrated independence of South Sudan (on July 09, 2011) in Khartoum with slogan of “Goodbye to the unity of blood and tears” will soon realise that the menacing Vision of New Sudan still prevails; the wild dream of establishing pure Arab and Islamic state in the North is far more remote to achieve than ever and the “blood and tears” will regrettably continue to be shed in post independence North Sudan. In reality, it is now evidently clear that NCP leadership in Khartoum is on the verge of collapse as profound discord amongst the ruling elite is emerging between regime’s diehards (and its religious demagogues) and the considerate elements within NCP who believe in more sensible approach in handling all issues in Sudan, including future politics and governance in the North, impasse in Abyei, settlement of the outstanding CPA protocols, careful handling of SPLM/A-North and permanent peaceful settlement of Darfur problems. In conclusion, as it stands at the moment, NCP leaders have no choice but to recognise circumstances and trustworthily acknowledge the complex political, regional, cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious setup in North Sudan. Imposition or preference of Arab and Islamic culture in the north will do more harm than good and might disintegrate the country further. As well, it is beyond any stretch of imagination or wishful thinking that under any circumstances the separation of South Sudan from the North will unify the north under the umbrella of Arab and Islamic identity. The leaders in the North (whether NCP, Umma Party, DUP, etc) have to recognise the complexities: multiplicity of cultures, religions, traditions, languages and ethnic groups across the country. More importantly, they need to solemnly soften their tone and stance vis-à-vis the New Sudan Vision if they want to safe their skin in the post independence North Sudan. Otherwise, the pangs of flames of new Sudan vision will ceaselessly continue to seethe in the North until fair representation of all groupings in the country is attained. *The author is a South Sudanese resident in the United Kingdom. You can post your response to this opinion in the space provided Posted in: Opinions CommentsThere are currently no comments, be the first to post one. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
