China miss opportunity in South Sudan
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By Steve Paterno
April 29, 2012 — The relationship between People’s Republic of China
and newly independent state of South Sudan has always never been
strong. China close ties to the Sudanese regime in Khartoum play
significant role in straining relationship between China and South
Sudan. Of recent, such already strained relationship is further
troubled, when South Sudan accused Chinese oil companies for being in
cohort or at least complacence with Khartoum stealing the oil of South
Sudan. The accusation resulted into expulsion of Liu Yingcai, the head
of China’s oil operating company in the country. The expulsion was
accompanied with stern warnings for more repercussion to follow
against Chinese involvements in South Sudan. This strenuous
relationship is even complicated more, with engagements of Western
powers in Sudanese affairs, particularly the USA influence over South
Sudan.
However, the current escalation of violences between Khartoum and Juba
provides great opportunity for China to amend things and entice South
Sudan into developing better relationship with the newly emerged
country. China has more at stakes as far as South Sudan is concern. It
needs to ensure stable flow of its oil from South Sudan. China is the
major importer of oil produced in South Sudan. With the growing
influence of the West in the region, China also needs to exert its
political and economic influence over South Sudan to offset the
challenges and competion of the West. More importantly, China needs to
build and foster trust as an strategic partner with South Sudan.
The recent visit by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir to China amidst
ongoing crisis in South Sudan underscores the significance of
China-South Sudan relationship. South Sudanese strongest Western ally,
the United States of America already bailed out on South Sudan, when
the newly emerged country needed a friend at most critical point;
facing Khartoum’s flagrant onslaught against the country. In the
current border dispute, particularly over Panthou, US completely
behaves out of a norm of being a friend, risking losing trust of South
Sudan. America was among the first to jump into fray of condemning
South Sudan for overrunning Panthou in self defense against Khartoum’s
constant aggression. Traditionally, an ally like US would have sticked
along with South Sudan, and if it so believes South Sudan violated any
international law by militarily taking over Panthou, then it must at
least refrain from joining forces with the allies of Khartoum in
public condemnation of South Sudan. The US has more leverage and
influence in defusing the tension between Sudan and South Sudan than
abandoning South Sudan as it has done. As Jendayi Elizabeth Frazer,
the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs,
eloquently explained, America needs “to give South Sudan a security
blanket,” and tell the North, “if you mess with the South, you mess
with the United States.”
Since the US fails on South Sudan, sending the country in isolation
undeservingly, South Sudan turns to China, which is complemented with
the visit of President’s Salva Kiir into the People’s Republic of
China. Unfortunately, China also failed South Sudan. China avoided to
address South Sudanese most pressing issues, which is security and
oil; specifically Khartoum’s flagrant aggression and constructions of
alternative oil pipeline for South Sudan. Even though China pledges to
assist South Sudan’s developmental needs in other sectors, South Sudan
very existence is threatened security wise and economically by the
regime in Khartoum, China’s closest ally. For China to secure its
political and economic interest in the region, it must urgently
address South Sudanese concerns over the regime in Khartoum.
Thus far, South Sudan already fulfills its international and
partnership obligations. Despite overtaking Panthou in self
defenses—in bravely military show of force, a land that rightly
belongs to South Sudan, but occupied by the North Sudan, the country
is able to pull out its troops under intense international pressure.
South Sudan government has decided, unilaterally to do things in
deescalating the border rows with North Sudan—things which are
unpopular with South Sudanese masses. Even worst, South Sudan accepts
its citizens to be bombed and killed by Khartoum’s aerial bombardments
so as to win the trust of international community and allies. What is
left now is the role of international communities to reciprocate South
Sudanese friendly gestures. It is up to the allies of South Sudan to
prove the worth of friendship. South Sudan already played it roles and
cannot play being nice than it has already done. As far as South
Sudan’s natural resources are concerned, which draws the interest of
friends in the first place, the country has already decided that those
resources rather remain deep underneath the ground than exploited by
enemies of South Sudan. So, is there a South Sudanese ally out there
who is willing to engage in real mutual friendship?
Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain
Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at
[email protected]
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