Will the Peace Hold in Southern Sudan after the passing of Dr. John Garang?
The roots of the conflict in the Sudan goes back to the early 19th century, several decades before the advent of the Western colonialism in the Sudan; which makes it one the longest wars in the world after the Israeli- Palestine war.
Also, the war in the Southern Sudan, between the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the National Islamic fundamentalism (NIF) in Khartoum is among Africa’s oldest and deadliest conflicts and largest in the region. More then 3 million were killed, achieving a death toll over twenty times higher than Darfur’s do date.
The NIF viewed the CPA as an opportunity to direct the international community’s attention away from their ongoing genocide in Darfur. While they have made some cosmetic changes, the NIF hasn’t fulfilled their core obligations to the CPA and don’t appear any more committed to this peace agreement than to any of the other treaties they’ve signed. In fact the NIF has put enormous obstacles in place to prevent progress on the CPA. It seems clear the NIF has no intention of sharing either power or oil revenue with the SPLA.
On the one hand it is impossible for the SPLA or the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGDA) to know if the NIF is sharing oil revenues according to the dictates of the CPA because the NIF won’t disclose what the total revenues are. It is also likely that the NIF will use oil money to manipulate voting in the upcoming referendum on separation, which will take place in six years time.
The NIF’s continued support for the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda is another problem calling the success of the CPA into question. How could the LRA cross the east side of the river to west, without the logistical support of the NIF? Yei is the only source of food to the population in Juba and most of the Arab trades are not happy that food should come from Yei, because it will have negative impact on their business in Juba.
As know you the recent attacked on the convey in early September between Juba and Yei, the NIF is behind it. How could (LRA) cross the east side of the river to west, without the logistic support of the NIF? Yei is the only source of food to Juba population and most of the Arab trades are not happy that the food should come from Yei, because it will have negative impact on their business in Juba.
The United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), could have prevented the recent attack in Yei-Juba road, but the 700 UNMIS peacekeeping troops are based only in Juba unarmed and mostly allied with Khartoum’s regimes and who have large investments in the Sudanese oil sector. Most of the UNMIS peacekeeping troops from Australia, Russia and other European countries are enjoying themselves in Khartoum’s expensive hotels playing cards and smoking cigars instead of patrolling the North / South border.
Besides this, the mandate of United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is very weak. They have no power to arrest treaty violators, detain suspects or fight back. This is a repeat of the situation in Darfur and if such attacks continue UNMIS will be as impotent as the AU in that region.
Furthermore, the NIF has not disclosed the number of troops it still has in Southern Sudan to the UNMIS, either in Juba or other part of Southern Sudan.
Added to this hostile elements are the 500,000 Janjaweed with their horses, women and children that the NIF relocated from Darfur to Rokon County, about 60 miles south west of Juba. Their presence tends to indicate that the NIF intends to unleash a campaign of atrocities on Rokon County similar to the one they have in Darfur.
Another tactic the NIF is using to destabilize South Sudan is the transfer of large numbers of Egyptian Arabs to that region. This is in keeping with their policy of Arabizing Sudan and the implementation of this policy is what leads to the violence in Darfur.
The NIF encourages immigration from Egypt by offering these migrants the following rights: freedom of entry to Sudan without visas; residence permits are provided free of cost; freedom of movement within the whole of Sudan; the ability to own land upon arrival; the right to vote as soon as they settle in Sudan.
All of this is going on while tens of thousands of Sudanese languish in Egypt in deplorable conditions with none of the aforementioned privileges. Nineteen thousand are registered with the UNHCR, but there are many more Sudanese stranded in Egypt, unable to return to Sudan.
The strategy is obvious; the Arabs are being relocated in the south while African Southerners are being kept from returning in an attempt to shift the demographic to favour Khartoum when the vote for independence comes in 2011.
The abuse of South Sudanese is not restricted to Egypt. There are countless Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in Khartoum or in the IDP camps around it such as Hagi Yousif , Kalakata and Al-Sal’ama Camp in Jebel.
Since the death of Garang the dumping of five to ten bodies of South Sudanese has become a daily occurrence. Those who had managed to scrape together enough to escape the IDP camps and eke out a living in Khartoum are being driven from their homes once again by landlords who are increasing rents by as much as 100%. Whole families are being driven back into the camps straining what resources are available there.
In another effort to keep Southerners from returning home the NIF has increased air fare from Khartoum to Juba from $100, to $200. These are just a few of the tactics implemented by the NIF to insure the CPA fails. It is up to the international community to monitor these violations and, more importantly, insure there are very real and very negative consequences for such abuse. Only through this type of foreign intervention will the NIF be made to respect their obligations under the CPA and implement it fully without delay.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Afro-Canadian MPs and african diplomats have a disappointing record on Darfur
Aug 24, 2005 (Ottawa) — If the Afro-Canadian Members of Parliament do not care about the genocide in Darfur, why should the Canadian government care about Darfur? Canada sent 1,400 troops to Bosnia because Canadians of European decent play a big role in Canadian government and politics today. Today, Africans do have a voice in Canada’s Parliament, but most have chosen to be quiet on issues affecting Africa. Bloc Quebecois MP Maka Kotto, a Canadian-African of Cameroonian decent, has chosen to keep quiet instead of supporting Independent MP David Kilgour in the fight against the genocide in Darfur, in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia.
Why is Maka Kotto so silent on Africans’ problems? Why are Senator Donald Oliver, MPs Jean Augustine, Hedy Fry, Marlene Jennings, Rahim Jaffer and Deepak Obhrai silent in the issue of Darfur? Thanks to Gurmant Grewal and Bhupinder S. Liddar for their continued support of Africans: you are true sons of Africa, may God bless you. It is a shame on our African MPs.
Additionally and most important is the silence of the African diplomatic corps (with exception of some embassies). I think when Europeans come to Africa as diplomats they are very vocal in the press in the countryside, with the people, but our OWN African diplomats as a unit are very silent except for photo opportunities during Independence Day celebrations and parties; leaving their children in Canada when their term has ended. Therefore, I’d like to see the Dean and the African Heads of Missions in Canada form a coalition to ensure that the government of Canada plays its part in peacekeeping in Darfur and to push their weight collectively to answer all of Africa’s concerns.
In 2003, I wrote a letter to Jean Augustine in reference to rape victims in the Sudan and asking how she could assist. I received no formal reply from her office until now. How many times has Ms. Augustine written to the prime minister about the suffering women of Darfur? Not a single letter, that I know of. Last May I wrote an open letter to all MPs regarding genocide in Darfur. I received no responses from any of the Afro-Canadian MPs. So why should the world care about Africans and the Caribbean if black senators and MPs are not concerned about Africa?
It’s too early to know how much the newly appointed governor general will do for the victims of the rape in Darfur, peace in the South Sudan, genocide in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia. I do hope she will not turn her back on Africa and Caribbean. Can she make injustice visible?
©By Justin Laku,
Founder of the group Canadian Friends of Sudan
Why is Maka Kotto so silent on Africans’ problems? Why are Senator Donald Oliver, MPs Jean Augustine, Hedy Fry, Marlene Jennings, Rahim Jaffer and Deepak Obhrai silent in the issue of Darfur? Thanks to Gurmant Grewal and Bhupinder S. Liddar for their continued support of Africans: you are true sons of Africa, may God bless you. It is a shame on our African MPs.
Additionally and most important is the silence of the African diplomatic corps (with exception of some embassies). I think when Europeans come to Africa as diplomats they are very vocal in the press in the countryside, with the people, but our OWN African diplomats as a unit are very silent except for photo opportunities during Independence Day celebrations and parties; leaving their children in Canada when their term has ended. Therefore, I’d like to see the Dean and the African Heads of Missions in Canada form a coalition to ensure that the government of Canada plays its part in peacekeeping in Darfur and to push their weight collectively to answer all of Africa’s concerns.
In 2003, I wrote a letter to Jean Augustine in reference to rape victims in the Sudan and asking how she could assist. I received no formal reply from her office until now. How many times has Ms. Augustine written to the prime minister about the suffering women of Darfur? Not a single letter, that I know of. Last May I wrote an open letter to all MPs regarding genocide in Darfur. I received no responses from any of the Afro-Canadian MPs. So why should the world care about Africans and the Caribbean if black senators and MPs are not concerned about Africa?
It’s too early to know how much the newly appointed governor general will do for the victims of the rape in Darfur, peace in the South Sudan, genocide in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia. I do hope she will not turn her back on Africa and Caribbean. Can she make injustice visible?
©By Justin Laku,
Founder of the group Canadian Friends of Sudan
REINSTATEMENT OF SENIORITY WITH CORRECT RANKS, AND PROMOTION ADJUSTMENTS
May 29th,
2012
To: H.E. Major General Alison Elia Magaya
Minister of Interior
Juba, Republic of South Sudan
RE: REINSTATEMENT OF SENIORITY WITH CORRECT
RANKS, AND PROMOTION ADJUSTMENTS
Dear Mr. Magaya,
I am a concerned citizen of South Sudan,
researcher, an academic, socio-political activist, civil society member, and
watch-dog. I am writing to you regarding reinstatement, and promotions of some
of South Sudan Police and Prison Officers who have not been promoted according
to their batch. The un-promoted Officers have served under the national
government of Sudan with competency, efficiency and effectiveness, reinstated
and integrated into South Sudan Police Forces with the lower ranks, while their
peers of same class were promoted to higher ranks such as Major Generals.
As you know complaint regarding the Police and
Prison Officers were submitted to your predecessor’s desk and to your office to
look into the promotion concerns of the Police and the Prison Officers who are
still not promoted to the same ranks as their colleagues and peers. But the
office of your predecessor failed to address and resolve these issues
holistically, and now it appears that the current office of Minister of
interior is following similar policy of delay, depriving and suppressing the
promotions and reinstatement of certain Police and Prison Officers.
Furthermore, I would like to remind you that
during the 2010 swearing in ceremony of the President of government of South
Sudan, President Salva assured the un-promoted Officers that, he will address
the reinstatement and promotions issues promptly, once and for all, and in timely
manner. However, it appears that nothing has been done to resolve reinstatement and promotions of the current active Police and Prison Services
Officers.
In addition to this, the research showed that
there is a new list of inactive Police Officers before President Salva’s desk
awaiting Presidential Decree for their reinstatement and promotions.
Furthermore, most of the inactive Police Officers were out of police services
for over ten years, and some have lived in the Western countries for many years
and might have forgotten the police system, while the outstanding Police
Officers with excellent performances, excellent academic credentials and
excellent experiences are left out from the current promotions and deprive from
all constitutional rights. How could South Sudan Police system and the Ministry
of Interior explain this discrimination of its own Police Officers? This
discrimination will demoralized the effectiveness of police toward crimes
reduction. This discrimination will help deprive Police Officers not to act or
deter and prevent crimes the high rate of killing crimes in Juba and other
parts of South Sudan, and why should priority be given to inactive Police
Officers who spent many years abroad without active duty? The first priority
should be given to South Sudan Police and Prison Officers who are currently
active on duty.
Finally, as a concerned citizen of South Sudan,
researcher, an academic, socio-political activist, civil society member, and
watch-dog, I would like to see the promotions, reinstatements, and
readjustments issues and concerns be addressed as soon as possible, so that the
Human Rights and equality be recognized in a timely manner. People of South
Sudan fought because of injustice, inequality, and discrimination in the old
Sudan regime, and some of South Sudan Police and Prison Officers are
experiencing similar injustice, inequality, and discrimination under the
current South Sudan government system. Peace without justice and equality is
not a peace.
Thanks for your interest in the concerns of
citizen of South Sudan and I hope to hear from you soon with favorable results.
Yours
sincerely, Justin Laku
P.S. I enclosed to you attached list of deprived
and un-promoted Police and Prison Officers
Cc: H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President
Cc: H.E. Riek Machar, Ph.D., Vice President
Cc: Hon. James Wani Igga, South Sudan
Parliament’s Speaker
Cc: H.E. Clement Wani, Central Equatoria State
Governor
Cc: H.E. Louis Lobong, Eastern Equatoria State
Governor
Cc: H.E. Joseph Baksoro, Westernn Equatoria
State Governo
Cc: H.E. Joseph Bol, South Sudan Senate Speaker
Cc: H.E. the U.S.A., Ambassador to South Sudan
Cc: All Members of National and State
Parliaments
Cc: All Foreign Mission Ambassadors in South
Sudan
Cc: All International Media House
Cc: All Donors Members States
Cc: All Members of Diaspora
© Laku's Research Centre 2012
Friday, December 3, 2010
Sudan Elections: The Test of Democracy
In January 2005, the government of Omar Hassan Al Bashir and the Sudan People Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).Under the CPA provision of “one country, and two systems” model, the north and south will share power, resources and wealth which are located in the disputed areas of Abyei, Blue Nile State and the Nuba Mountains.
These disputed areas are still officially part of the North but may have an opportunity to join the South pursuant to a public vote under the CPA provisions. In addition, as per the CPA, both the north and south will maintain separate armies in addition to a joint integrated army that they share. Following a six year transitional period, the south will determine whether it wants to secede via a referendum or remain part of a united Sudan.
Sudan like other African States is facing a democratic test through transformation from a one party state to a multi-party rule via good governance and its key components of fair, free, transparency, credible, inclusive, legitimacy, accountability, and rule of law. However, the main issues of disputes are the census, free press, the Election Commission, Security law, and ballot papers.
The census is a periodic count of the population and the results are use to define electoral constituencies, affecting the number of parliamentary seats as well as state budget for each Sudanese state. The 2009, census in Sudan reduced the South Sudan population, while increasing the population of war-torn Darfur which resulted in the IDPs displacement, 400,000 died, and loss of life as a result of hunger and drought. Reliable source from the GoSS suggested that the SPLM and NCP agreed that 60 more seats will be created in the national parliament in order to compensate the census results as well as will give SPLM veto power in the national parliament.
SPLM could have organized a census of the South Sudan population and contrasted its results with 2009 census to demonstrate its position credibly, as well as to provide the international community and donors and trustees in particular with substantial evidence about the census. It has not done so.
The free press is compromised by the politics of the state parties in the North and South. Since the CPA, neither the South nor the North state parties have been able to transform themselves towards democratic behaviour with respect to other parties. The SPLM restricts other political parties from campaigning in the South. South Sudan TV under the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) is not mandated to cover non-SPLM political rallies. For instance, in the first week of March 2010, the SPLM-DC was obstructed in Wau by GoSS security officials not to hold rallies. Further, in a letter dated November 9, 2009, “Salva Kirr, the first vice president of Sudan gave a directive through Dr. Luka Tombekana Monja, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, to all the governors of ten South Sudan States to cooperate and not to hinder works of other political parties except the so called SPLM-DC.” Such orders and directives go against the rules of the National Election Commission (NEC).
Most of the northern political parties including SPLM accused NEC of being biased in favour of NCP and suggested that the election be postponed. President Al Bashir warned that there would be no referendum without primary elections in April 2010.
The opposition and SPLM parties were not ready for election, were disorganized and badly financed. Furthermore, SPLM was afraid of losing seats hence lose control of the South Sudan Parliament since there are a large number of independent candidates within SPLM who are nominated by their constituencies and the road for referendum would be difficult. For the NCP, the only way to weaken the SPLM and to break the horns of separatists in the South was through the election. Since SPLM failed to deliver on services and real development since it assumed power in 2005, it was not ready, and it is also inexperienced in the politics of election.
The NCP in Khartoum has delivered many development projects such as building new roads that connect the North, East, and West. Currently the NCP has proposed a new highway that will connect Port Sudan and Senegal through Chad; Sudan and South Africa; schools, universities, hospitals, bridges, airports; electricity and water network; and initiated new agricultural projects in Geizra agricultural Scheme.
To contrast NCP’s achievements with SPLM’s, there are no new schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, airports and electricity and water networks that connect the South’s major cities, the water services and electricity network are still very poor; and there is no agricultural scheme initiated to meet the food demands of South Sudanese. Most basic necessities are imported from Uganda, Kenya, andNorth Sudan. Furthermore, the SPLM is invisible in the North, East, and Western Sudan. The Chairman of SPLM did not visit many cities and states in the North except GoSS Speaker of the parliament. SPLM failed to initiate projects in the North, East, and Darfur. South Sudan is very poor. During heated discussions, SPLM tended to walk out of the parliament sessions.
Based on the above factors, early exit and withdrawal of Yasir Arman was the best solution to avoid disappointment and shame, because the election was about service delivery and real development on the ground. SPLM's new strategy was to consolidate its power, present in the South and hope to win the referendum at all cost, and tried to buy time to avoid the April 2010 election.
If South Sudan under the SPLM achieved referendum, the small tribes will be under the major tribes which control SPLM/A currently and South Sudan will be faced with the issue of majority versus minority as in the Balkans in Eastern Europe.
"We're trying to separate ourselves from the Arabs because of marginalization,” says Clement Maring Samuel, a Mundari SPLA pastor now serving as Terekeka's Commissioner. "But if the Dinka don't behave well, we will separate again."(additional reporting by Chen Aizhu in Beijing and Andrew Quinn in Washington; editing by Sara Ledwith).On the other hand, if the referendum failed, South Sudan will remain under the control of the North and the dream of forefathers of South Sudan separatists and liberation movement will die.
In the case of Darfur the situation is rather different. Al Bashir was indicted and the ICC issued an arrest warrant, but the population of Darfur see Al Bashir like Saul of Tarsus who persecuted thechurch of Christ and became one of the best apostles of Christ to advance the church mission. With support and extra funding from Arab princes and heads of states, Al Bashir is currently building 100 pilot housing projects to relocate IDPs from their camps to new housing (built with red brick). Each house consists of two bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen, and 85 medical clinics. With this real development on the ground, would the IDPs vote for Al Bashir or Abdu Wahide Nur who lives in Francesince 2007 and is invisible on the ground?
Election riggings and frauds such as those that occurred in Nigeria in June 12, 1993, Iran in June 2009, Kenya in 2007, Zimbabwe in 2008, and Afghanistan in 2009 should be an eye opener for the chairman of NEC who was appointed by SPLM. The decision of NEC to print presidential ballots in government owned printing press was the beginning of unfair rigging and possible fraud of election materials. The contract could have been awarded to privates printing companies to prevent boycotts and withdrawal of some political parties from the election. To prevent rigging, fraud, and manipulation of the cast ballots through logistic processes; the cast votes must be counted at the polling centers by the end of each day especially the cast ballots from outside Khartoum. Failure to do so results in boxes being changed during the transportation from polling centers to counting centers in Khartoum and stuffing of boxes with unofficial votes.
It has been almost six years of transitional period that the South will determine whether it wants to secede via referendum, or remain a part of united Sudan. However, the road to the referendum is fair, free, transparent, credible, inclusive, legitimate, accountable, and follows the rule of law in the election process. Are there any lessons that can be learnt from Kenya’s last election?
Justin Laku©
University of Ottawa, Canada.
These disputed areas are still officially part of the North but may have an opportunity to join the South pursuant to a public vote under the CPA provisions. In addition, as per the CPA, both the north and south will maintain separate armies in addition to a joint integrated army that they share. Following a six year transitional period, the south will determine whether it wants to secede via a referendum or remain part of a united Sudan.
Sudan like other African States is facing a democratic test through transformation from a one party state to a multi-party rule via good governance and its key components of fair, free, transparency, credible, inclusive, legitimacy, accountability, and rule of law. However, the main issues of disputes are the census, free press, the Election Commission, Security law, and ballot papers.
The census is a periodic count of the population and the results are use to define electoral constituencies, affecting the number of parliamentary seats as well as state budget for each Sudanese state. The 2009, census in Sudan reduced the South Sudan population, while increasing the population of war-torn Darfur which resulted in the IDPs displacement, 400,000 died, and loss of life as a result of hunger and drought. Reliable source from the GoSS suggested that the SPLM and NCP agreed that 60 more seats will be created in the national parliament in order to compensate the census results as well as will give SPLM veto power in the national parliament.
SPLM could have organized a census of the South Sudan population and contrasted its results with 2009 census to demonstrate its position credibly, as well as to provide the international community and donors and trustees in particular with substantial evidence about the census. It has not done so.
The free press is compromised by the politics of the state parties in the North and South. Since the CPA, neither the South nor the North state parties have been able to transform themselves towards democratic behaviour with respect to other parties. The SPLM restricts other political parties from campaigning in the South. South Sudan TV under the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) is not mandated to cover non-SPLM political rallies. For instance, in the first week of March 2010, the SPLM-DC was obstructed in Wau by GoSS security officials not to hold rallies. Further, in a letter dated November 9, 2009, “Salva Kirr, the first vice president of Sudan gave a directive through Dr. Luka Tombekana Monja, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, to all the governors of ten South Sudan States to cooperate and not to hinder works of other political parties except the so called SPLM-DC.” Such orders and directives go against the rules of the National Election Commission (NEC).
Most of the northern political parties including SPLM accused NEC of being biased in favour of NCP and suggested that the election be postponed. President Al Bashir warned that there would be no referendum without primary elections in April 2010.
The opposition and SPLM parties were not ready for election, were disorganized and badly financed. Furthermore, SPLM was afraid of losing seats hence lose control of the South Sudan Parliament since there are a large number of independent candidates within SPLM who are nominated by their constituencies and the road for referendum would be difficult. For the NCP, the only way to weaken the SPLM and to break the horns of separatists in the South was through the election. Since SPLM failed to deliver on services and real development since it assumed power in 2005, it was not ready, and it is also inexperienced in the politics of election.
The NCP in Khartoum has delivered many development projects such as building new roads that connect the North, East, and West. Currently the NCP has proposed a new highway that will connect Port Sudan and Senegal through Chad; Sudan and South Africa; schools, universities, hospitals, bridges, airports; electricity and water network; and initiated new agricultural projects in Geizra agricultural Scheme.
To contrast NCP’s achievements with SPLM’s, there are no new schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, airports and electricity and water networks that connect the South’s major cities, the water services and electricity network are still very poor; and there is no agricultural scheme initiated to meet the food demands of South Sudanese. Most basic necessities are imported from Uganda, Kenya, andNorth Sudan. Furthermore, the SPLM is invisible in the North, East, and Western Sudan. The Chairman of SPLM did not visit many cities and states in the North except GoSS Speaker of the parliament. SPLM failed to initiate projects in the North, East, and Darfur. South Sudan is very poor. During heated discussions, SPLM tended to walk out of the parliament sessions.
Based on the above factors, early exit and withdrawal of Yasir Arman was the best solution to avoid disappointment and shame, because the election was about service delivery and real development on the ground. SPLM's new strategy was to consolidate its power, present in the South and hope to win the referendum at all cost, and tried to buy time to avoid the April 2010 election.
If South Sudan under the SPLM achieved referendum, the small tribes will be under the major tribes which control SPLM/A currently and South Sudan will be faced with the issue of majority versus minority as in the Balkans in Eastern Europe.
"We're trying to separate ourselves from the Arabs because of marginalization,” says Clement Maring Samuel, a Mundari SPLA pastor now serving as Terekeka's Commissioner. "But if the Dinka don't behave well, we will separate again."(additional reporting by Chen Aizhu in Beijing and Andrew Quinn in Washington; editing by Sara Ledwith).On the other hand, if the referendum failed, South Sudan will remain under the control of the North and the dream of forefathers of South Sudan separatists and liberation movement will die.
In the case of Darfur the situation is rather different. Al Bashir was indicted and the ICC issued an arrest warrant, but the population of Darfur see Al Bashir like Saul of Tarsus who persecuted thechurch of Christ and became one of the best apostles of Christ to advance the church mission. With support and extra funding from Arab princes and heads of states, Al Bashir is currently building 100 pilot housing projects to relocate IDPs from their camps to new housing (built with red brick). Each house consists of two bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchen, and 85 medical clinics. With this real development on the ground, would the IDPs vote for Al Bashir or Abdu Wahide Nur who lives in Francesince 2007 and is invisible on the ground?
Election riggings and frauds such as those that occurred in Nigeria in June 12, 1993, Iran in June 2009, Kenya in 2007, Zimbabwe in 2008, and Afghanistan in 2009 should be an eye opener for the chairman of NEC who was appointed by SPLM. The decision of NEC to print presidential ballots in government owned printing press was the beginning of unfair rigging and possible fraud of election materials. The contract could have been awarded to privates printing companies to prevent boycotts and withdrawal of some political parties from the election. To prevent rigging, fraud, and manipulation of the cast ballots through logistic processes; the cast votes must be counted at the polling centers by the end of each day especially the cast ballots from outside Khartoum. Failure to do so results in boxes being changed during the transportation from polling centers to counting centers in Khartoum and stuffing of boxes with unofficial votes.
It has been almost six years of transitional period that the South will determine whether it wants to secede via referendum, or remain a part of united Sudan. However, the road to the referendum is fair, free, transparent, credible, inclusive, legitimate, accountable, and follows the rule of law in the election process. Are there any lessons that can be learnt from Kenya’s last election?
Justin Laku©
University of Ottawa, Canada.
Sudan Elections: Democracy at Last ?
Elections as a fundamental or instrumental right
In analyzing election outcome and the prospects for democracy in Sudan, it is necessary to distinguish between ultimate goals and the necessary instruments for achieving them. It would make sense for political parties in Sudan to distinguish between fundamental rights and instrumental rights. “The right to vote, for instance, is an instrumental right designed to help us achieve the fundamental right of government by consent. The right to a free press is also an instrumental right designed to help us achieve an open society and freedom of information” (Milton R. Konvitz, 2001).
Democracy in depth / Democracy in theory
By the same token, political parties can distinguish between democracy as means and democracy as goals. The most fundamental of the goals of democracy are probably four in number. Firstly, to make rulers accountable and answerable for their actions and policies. Secondly, to make citizens effective participants in choosing rulers and regulating their actions. Thirdly, to make the society as open and the economy as transparent as possible; and fourthly, to make the social order fundamentally just and equitable to the greatest number possible. Accountable rulers, actively participating citizens, an open society with a transparent economy, and social justice: those are the four fundamental ends of democracy (Roland N. Stromberg, 1996).
In order to achieve these goals, citizens must make their rulers more accountable. The U.S.A., for example, has chosen separation of powers and checks and balances; whilst the U.K., has chosen increased sovereignty of Parliament. These are different ways to make the executive branch more accountable and answerable in its use of powers.
General governance in Sudan
One component of good governance is rule of law, specifically during elections. Again, in the U.S.A, the law is on the side of the open society (Lois G. Forer). On the other hand, in Sudan and much of the rest of Africa, the law of libel can be used to stop the flow of information, rather than facilitate it. Libel law in Sudan can be more an ally of censorship than a partner of an open society.
In Sudan, the free press is compromised by the politics of the state parties in both the North and the South. Since the CPA, state parties in the South and the North have not been able to transform themselves towards democratic behaviour with respect to the political views of other parties. The SPLM party restricts the campaigning of other parties in the South through arrest, harassment, and detention with no legal grounds. Also, South Sudan television, controlled by the Government of South Sudan (GoSS), is mandated not to cover non-SPLM political rallies. In March 2010, the SPLM-DC in the City ofWau, was prevented from holding rallies by GoSS security officials. Earlier, in a letter dated November 9, 2009, Salva Kirr, the First Vice-President of Sudan, had given orders through the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Luka Tombekana Monja to governors of ten South Sudan States to hinder the work of other political parties.This goes against the rules of democracy and good governance.
Democracy in Sudan / Democracy in practice
The question, then is, what does democracy mean to Sudanese voters? African leaders inherited democracy from colonial masters without understanding the concept behind it. In essence, democracy, as applied in Sudan is tantamount to a “copy and paste” of western democracy, and lacks solid beliefs, values, and processes that are meaningful to the locals. As a result, these artificial applications of democracy remain vulnerable to the instinctive impulse of tribalism. Therefore, democracy in Sudan is rife with tribalism, ethnic nepotism, and ethnic favouritism.
It is not the visible process of democracy that will bring success overnight, but rather a host of behind the scenes and necessary development projects and initiatives on the ground, that will lead Sudan to the third dimension of democracy.
The third dimension of democracy is stability: which is a social-political precondition for both sustainable development and durable democracy. Sudan’s three greatest needs are development, democracy, and stability. Alleviation of poverty is one of the fruits of democratised development, and it is also one of the most obvious and tangible gains to be had when democracy and development are jointly stabilised and truly humanised.
Democracy suffered greatly in Sudan during the Cold War era, because Sudanese government of the day was allowed to sacrifice civil liberties in the name of fighting communism. The question now stands, as to whether democracy in Sudan will now suffer, again, because the Sudanese governments in South and North are encouraged to sacrifice civil liberties in the name of unfair election and illegitimate governments?
The three horsemen
Election rigging and other vote frauds, such as the ones allegedly taking place in Central Equatorial, Unity State, Wau, and other parts of Sudan in the Governorship and State Parliament races, are all clear indications of an unfair, non-free, non-transparent, non-credible, and non-inclusive election held with and in, an absence of rule of law. Sudanese democracy is thus being killed by multiple assassins; which are the National Election Commission (NEC), the NCP, and SPLM.
Each of these three suspects in the election rigging game has had a hand in unfair elections, and indeed, has contributed to the death of democracy in Sudan. For example, the NEC in the North, by its decision to print presidential ballots in a government owned printing press, opened the door to unfair rigging and possible fraud in the creation of election materials. On the part of the NCP, its use of oil money and public services to fund its campaigns is a crass destruction of the democratic process and a trampling of Islamic laws.
Finally, the SPLM harassment of independent candidates, and directives and orders handed down to ban the activities of SPLM-DC, are an added false start to the work of democratization in Sudan. However, democracy in South Sudan is not yet fully dead as there are still signs of life and hope. Yes, it is true that first- aid is sorely required to give it life through recounts, cross- referencing voter lists with actual votes cast in areas where irregularities allegedly occurred, and so forth.
The way forward
In the final analysis, this unfair election may cause more harm than good to both SPLM, and NCP as CPA partners, and the road to independence for South Sudan through the upcoming referendum in 2011, will be that much more difficult.
From the indicators on the ground, most Southern Sudanese Citizens are in favour of separation under the SPLM; and the North is trying its utmost best to make continued unity attractive at all costs. The only and final voices on the status and prospects for democracy in Sudan are the Sudanese people, who have remained oppressed for 25 years and would very much like to see change from a one party state to multi-party rule; all through good governance and its key components of fair, free, transparent, credible and inclusive elections; accountability and legitimacy in governance; and, the rule of law.
Kenya election was a litmus test but sadly African governments failed to learn from election riggings and frauds such as those that occurred in Nigeria in June12, 1993, Iran in June 2009, Kenya in 2007, Zimbabwe in 2008, and Afghanistan in 2009 and democracy will continue to suffer in the continent.
What should be done regarding rigging votes? The first step is that the NEC should resolve disputes over election results through a disputes and complaints committee. The results must be reviewed, with options put on the table including a recount (in Terekeka, Bentiu, and Wau) to satisfy stakeholders’ confidence in the NEC.
Finally, the way ahead is creation of a multi-national state thus must ascribe to the principles of equality, acceptance, respect, freedom, separation of religion from state, peace and reconciliation initiatives, need for the creation of national consciousness and of an awareness of common values, sense of responsibility for the country’s other cultures, and the law-enforcement against culture of corruption, tribalism, ethnic nepotism, and ethnic favouritism.
By Justin Laku©
University of Ottawa, Canada.
In analyzing election outcome and the prospects for democracy in Sudan, it is necessary to distinguish between ultimate goals and the necessary instruments for achieving them. It would make sense for political parties in Sudan to distinguish between fundamental rights and instrumental rights. “The right to vote, for instance, is an instrumental right designed to help us achieve the fundamental right of government by consent. The right to a free press is also an instrumental right designed to help us achieve an open society and freedom of information” (Milton R. Konvitz, 2001).
Democracy in depth / Democracy in theory
By the same token, political parties can distinguish between democracy as means and democracy as goals. The most fundamental of the goals of democracy are probably four in number. Firstly, to make rulers accountable and answerable for their actions and policies. Secondly, to make citizens effective participants in choosing rulers and regulating their actions. Thirdly, to make the society as open and the economy as transparent as possible; and fourthly, to make the social order fundamentally just and equitable to the greatest number possible. Accountable rulers, actively participating citizens, an open society with a transparent economy, and social justice: those are the four fundamental ends of democracy (Roland N. Stromberg, 1996).
In order to achieve these goals, citizens must make their rulers more accountable. The U.S.A., for example, has chosen separation of powers and checks and balances; whilst the U.K., has chosen increased sovereignty of Parliament. These are different ways to make the executive branch more accountable and answerable in its use of powers.
General governance in Sudan
One component of good governance is rule of law, specifically during elections. Again, in the U.S.A, the law is on the side of the open society (Lois G. Forer). On the other hand, in Sudan and much of the rest of Africa, the law of libel can be used to stop the flow of information, rather than facilitate it. Libel law in Sudan can be more an ally of censorship than a partner of an open society.
In Sudan, the free press is compromised by the politics of the state parties in both the North and the South. Since the CPA, state parties in the South and the North have not been able to transform themselves towards democratic behaviour with respect to the political views of other parties. The SPLM party restricts the campaigning of other parties in the South through arrest, harassment, and detention with no legal grounds. Also, South Sudan television, controlled by the Government of South Sudan (GoSS), is mandated not to cover non-SPLM political rallies. In March 2010, the SPLM-DC in the City ofWau, was prevented from holding rallies by GoSS security officials. Earlier, in a letter dated November 9, 2009, Salva Kirr, the First Vice-President of Sudan, had given orders through the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Luka Tombekana Monja to governors of ten South Sudan States to hinder the work of other political parties.This goes against the rules of democracy and good governance.
Democracy in Sudan / Democracy in practice
The question, then is, what does democracy mean to Sudanese voters? African leaders inherited democracy from colonial masters without understanding the concept behind it. In essence, democracy, as applied in Sudan is tantamount to a “copy and paste” of western democracy, and lacks solid beliefs, values, and processes that are meaningful to the locals. As a result, these artificial applications of democracy remain vulnerable to the instinctive impulse of tribalism. Therefore, democracy in Sudan is rife with tribalism, ethnic nepotism, and ethnic favouritism.
It is not the visible process of democracy that will bring success overnight, but rather a host of behind the scenes and necessary development projects and initiatives on the ground, that will lead Sudan to the third dimension of democracy.
The third dimension of democracy is stability: which is a social-political precondition for both sustainable development and durable democracy. Sudan’s three greatest needs are development, democracy, and stability. Alleviation of poverty is one of the fruits of democratised development, and it is also one of the most obvious and tangible gains to be had when democracy and development are jointly stabilised and truly humanised.
Democracy suffered greatly in Sudan during the Cold War era, because Sudanese government of the day was allowed to sacrifice civil liberties in the name of fighting communism. The question now stands, as to whether democracy in Sudan will now suffer, again, because the Sudanese governments in South and North are encouraged to sacrifice civil liberties in the name of unfair election and illegitimate governments?
The three horsemen
Election rigging and other vote frauds, such as the ones allegedly taking place in Central Equatorial, Unity State, Wau, and other parts of Sudan in the Governorship and State Parliament races, are all clear indications of an unfair, non-free, non-transparent, non-credible, and non-inclusive election held with and in, an absence of rule of law. Sudanese democracy is thus being killed by multiple assassins; which are the National Election Commission (NEC), the NCP, and SPLM.
Each of these three suspects in the election rigging game has had a hand in unfair elections, and indeed, has contributed to the death of democracy in Sudan. For example, the NEC in the North, by its decision to print presidential ballots in a government owned printing press, opened the door to unfair rigging and possible fraud in the creation of election materials. On the part of the NCP, its use of oil money and public services to fund its campaigns is a crass destruction of the democratic process and a trampling of Islamic laws.
Finally, the SPLM harassment of independent candidates, and directives and orders handed down to ban the activities of SPLM-DC, are an added false start to the work of democratization in Sudan. However, democracy in South Sudan is not yet fully dead as there are still signs of life and hope. Yes, it is true that first- aid is sorely required to give it life through recounts, cross- referencing voter lists with actual votes cast in areas where irregularities allegedly occurred, and so forth.
The way forward
In the final analysis, this unfair election may cause more harm than good to both SPLM, and NCP as CPA partners, and the road to independence for South Sudan through the upcoming referendum in 2011, will be that much more difficult.
From the indicators on the ground, most Southern Sudanese Citizens are in favour of separation under the SPLM; and the North is trying its utmost best to make continued unity attractive at all costs. The only and final voices on the status and prospects for democracy in Sudan are the Sudanese people, who have remained oppressed for 25 years and would very much like to see change from a one party state to multi-party rule; all through good governance and its key components of fair, free, transparent, credible and inclusive elections; accountability and legitimacy in governance; and, the rule of law.
Kenya election was a litmus test but sadly African governments failed to learn from election riggings and frauds such as those that occurred in Nigeria in June12, 1993, Iran in June 2009, Kenya in 2007, Zimbabwe in 2008, and Afghanistan in 2009 and democracy will continue to suffer in the continent.
What should be done regarding rigging votes? The first step is that the NEC should resolve disputes over election results through a disputes and complaints committee. The results must be reviewed, with options put on the table including a recount (in Terekeka, Bentiu, and Wau) to satisfy stakeholders’ confidence in the NEC.
Finally, the way ahead is creation of a multi-national state thus must ascribe to the principles of equality, acceptance, respect, freedom, separation of religion from state, peace and reconciliation initiatives, need for the creation of national consciousness and of an awareness of common values, sense of responsibility for the country’s other cultures, and the law-enforcement against culture of corruption, tribalism, ethnic nepotism, and ethnic favouritism.
By Justin Laku©
University of Ottawa, Canada.
SPLA/M: Does it Hold Hope for Sudan?
July 10th, 2011: SPLM HQ, Juba: Remarks by NCA Representative
The civil war in Sudan is one of Africa’s longest, bloodiest and most inflexible conflicts. Civil wars have been fought in Uganda (1981-86), Ethiopia (1974-91), Rwanda (1990-94), Liberia (1990-93), and Mozambique (1980-93). Oppressed or excluded groups fought their way from the periphery into power at the center to free themselves from oppressive rule by those who had been controlling the center.
In Southern Sudan, power sharing has been absent with regards to the separation of religion from State, sharing of the natural resources, equality and justice among the Sudanese people. Despite the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), power is still centralized in Khartoum.
A point of tension and conflict is the identity of Sudan as an African nation. Despite its geographic location in the Continent and majority African population, the majority of power is held by 39% of its population who are Arabs. These are the main reasons behind the first and the second civil wars in 1950s, 1960s, and 1983s.
Slavery and war against terrorism have placed Sudan on the CIA, FBI and international community’s scrutiny- particularly the discovery of oil in Southern Sudan in 1979. The Khartoum regime allegedly gave Osama Bin-Laden a safe haven which he used to plan the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, with the support of the Khartoum regime.
Four years since the SPLA/M assumed power in Southern Sudan, the security situation has not improved. The Lord’s Resistance Army’s (LRA) military activities are still active in Central and Western Equatorial States. The Government of the Southern Sudan (GoSS) has failed to protect its citizens and disarm the Dinka tribesmen who continue to terrorize Central, Eastern, and Western Equatorial civilians in Magwi County, Nimule, Yei, Yambio, and other parts of Great Equatorial. Furthermore, the Dinka tribesmen deliberately allow their cattle to graze on the Great Equatorial farming land.
The people of South Sudan are divided by power as well. Most of the GoSS cabinet, deputies ministers, attorney generals, as well as senior officers in the police force, prisons, military, civil and foreign service are from the Dinka tribe. Dinkas in the SPLA constitute the largest portion of the military personnels within the movement. The Dinka use their dominance to suppress other Southern Sudanese tribes instead of sharing power, as Arabs did before 2005.
The Dinkas seem to be out to gain control over the natural resources of Southern Sudan; rule over the rest of the South, kill, and imprison anyone who opposes their ill-conceived “Dinka Born to Rule” notion. The classic example is the appointment of hard-line proponent of Dinka nationalism, Able Alier, as a ‘born to rule advisor’ to Salva Kiir Mayardit, for the purposes of implementing the policy of Dinka domination over other tribes.
Since the beginning of 2009, Eastern and Central Equatorial civilians have been killed and the Great Equatorial girls and women raped. The SPLA high officials have been appropriating Central and Eastern Equatorial lands and selling them to Somalia businessmen – leaving the land owners homeless and displaced.
The culture of corruption is rampant with development money leaving South Sudan and going to foreign accounts. The pattern of events in Southern Sudan is symptomatic of lack of good governance and leadership within the SPLA/M.
The GoSS has failed to educate the public on the importance of democracy, fair elections and good governance (whose components include accountability, legitimacy, democracy, equality, inclusiveness, transparency, coherency, conflict resolution, efficiency, and rule of law.)
Pressure must be put on the SPLA leadership to implement their commitments to good governance and full representation of all Southern Sudan tribes in the GoSS. Victims of rape and human rights abuse must be redressed and the lands taken forcefully from the Great Equatorial be given back to their owners. Equality in treatment is paradoxically based on the disorder and injustice produced by inequality.
©Laku, SR
University of Ottawa
SRI Lanka: Canada Should Learn from Rwanda
The Canadian government's silence on the ongoing genocide in Sri Lanka against the Tamil people only helps the oppressor-the Sri Lankan regime. This is the same regime that deported Canadian Member of Parliament Bob Rea. Canada’s silence demonstrates an attitude of indifference, lack of humanity, inaction.
The silence of the international community allowed the death of thousands of Armenians who lost their lives under the Turkish government in 1914. Six million Jews were isolated, denied food and finally killed by Adolf Hitler in 1930s. 750,000 Cambodians were put to death under the Khmer Rouge leadership in 1975; thousands of Tibetans humiliated under the Chinese regime; almost a million Tutsi Rwandans massacred by the Hutus groups in 1994 and 400,000 of the African tribes burned to death by the Khartoum regime in Darfur. No one came to rescue them.
World leaders still sing Never Again, but Never Again is taking place in Sri Lanka, Burma, Tibet, and Darfur. The truth is written on the New England Memorial, but today it remains unexercised in the face of genocide:
“When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent;
I was not a communist. Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me” -Arif Jinha
Like Darfur Genocide, the Sri Lanka Genocide happened right before our eyes on TV and the internet. World leaders watched with knowledge of the intentions of the perpetrator - the intent to kill, to eliminate Tamil people, starve Tamil children and women, rape Tamil women and girls and isolate Tamil men. The international community including Canada, the author of the Right to Protect (R2P), failed to prevent, protect, and to save innocent lives. Has the Canadian government learnt any lessons from the Rwanda Genocide? The Darfur Genocide in slow motion? It is time the Canadian government left indifference and took lead in preventing the ongoing Genocide in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Tibet, and Darfur, and showed that R2P can save lives.
The Canadian government needs to discern between Tamil freedom fighters and humanity. Humanity has no political colors. Humanity is about preventing death, protecting and saving life.
The Canadian government should take the position of upstander, not that of the bystander who does nothing when Genocide is happening in Sri Lanka, Darfur, Tibet and Burma. The failure to do so means creating mass refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps without food security and medical attention, raping of women and girls. It means that human rights abuses will continue against the Tamils, deportation of government officials will increase, and Tamil freedom and self-determination will be lost.
As a middle power, Canada needs to show leadership in the world so that the victims of the Ongoing Genocide in Sri Lanka will know that they’re not alone, not forgotten. Their voices shall be heard, and Canada will not be on the wrong side of History. The Harper government should do the following:
a) Fast track immigration process to the refugees so that they can join their love ones in Canada by send in additional immigration officers;
b) Table peace talk resolutions to the UN Security Council to determine the future of Tamil under the federal state of Sri Lanka, or a two state alternative;
c) Send in Non-Partisan Fact Finding Mission to visit the refugees, and IDPs and assess their needs; consult with other governments to put pressure to Sri Lanka regime to allow humanitarian aids to IDPs and refugees, and;
d) Form a committee of elected officials from European Union (EU), Canada, and the U.S to listen to the aspirations of Tamil peoples.
Can Stephen Harper help make this injustice against innocent Tamil children, women, and men visible?
© Hüstin Läkü, Sr.
The silence of the international community allowed the death of thousands of Armenians who lost their lives under the Turkish government in 1914. Six million Jews were isolated, denied food and finally killed by Adolf Hitler in 1930s. 750,000 Cambodians were put to death under the Khmer Rouge leadership in 1975; thousands of Tibetans humiliated under the Chinese regime; almost a million Tutsi Rwandans massacred by the Hutus groups in 1994 and 400,000 of the African tribes burned to death by the Khartoum regime in Darfur. No one came to rescue them.
World leaders still sing Never Again, but Never Again is taking place in Sri Lanka, Burma, Tibet, and Darfur. The truth is written on the New England Memorial, but today it remains unexercised in the face of genocide:
“When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent;
I was not a communist. Then they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
I did not protest;
I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
I did not speak out;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out for me” -Arif Jinha
Like Darfur Genocide, the Sri Lanka Genocide happened right before our eyes on TV and the internet. World leaders watched with knowledge of the intentions of the perpetrator - the intent to kill, to eliminate Tamil people, starve Tamil children and women, rape Tamil women and girls and isolate Tamil men. The international community including Canada, the author of the Right to Protect (R2P), failed to prevent, protect, and to save innocent lives. Has the Canadian government learnt any lessons from the Rwanda Genocide? The Darfur Genocide in slow motion? It is time the Canadian government left indifference and took lead in preventing the ongoing Genocide in Sri Lanka, Burma, and Tibet, and Darfur, and showed that R2P can save lives.
The Canadian government needs to discern between Tamil freedom fighters and humanity. Humanity has no political colors. Humanity is about preventing death, protecting and saving life.
The Canadian government should take the position of upstander, not that of the bystander who does nothing when Genocide is happening in Sri Lanka, Darfur, Tibet and Burma. The failure to do so means creating mass refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps without food security and medical attention, raping of women and girls. It means that human rights abuses will continue against the Tamils, deportation of government officials will increase, and Tamil freedom and self-determination will be lost.
As a middle power, Canada needs to show leadership in the world so that the victims of the Ongoing Genocide in Sri Lanka will know that they’re not alone, not forgotten. Their voices shall be heard, and Canada will not be on the wrong side of History. The Harper government should do the following:
a) Fast track immigration process to the refugees so that they can join their love ones in Canada by send in additional immigration officers;
b) Table peace talk resolutions to the UN Security Council to determine the future of Tamil under the federal state of Sri Lanka, or a two state alternative;
c) Send in Non-Partisan Fact Finding Mission to visit the refugees, and IDPs and assess their needs; consult with other governments to put pressure to Sri Lanka regime to allow humanitarian aids to IDPs and refugees, and;
d) Form a committee of elected officials from European Union (EU), Canada, and the U.S to listen to the aspirations of Tamil peoples.
Can Stephen Harper help make this injustice against innocent Tamil children, women, and men visible?
© Hüstin Läkü, Sr.
University of Ottawa, Canada
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