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"Mr. Opoka-Okumu,
Could you assist in this space by throwing some analytical
insight from your experience. Speculations are that the latest
dramatic events surrounding Sudan/SPLA relationship is an American
gimmick aimed at serving their own interests with their eyes
firmly glued to Sudan's new found oil wealth."
It is no gimmick. The US has often made is clear that
their interest is first and foremost in their foreign policy.
Read The Bush Doctrine 2003. And the US has never wavered
over their strategic interests. So we should not wonder but accept
their premise of global engagement. Remember when CNN carried the
news of Chad oil pipeline stating boldly that it will reduce
American dependence on Middle Eastern Oil. What was clear and
boldly missing was that it will reduce Chadian dependence on
Western Oil Corporations or that it will lead to social and economic
transformation of Chad. Recall also the Angolan Oil fields at Soho
when it was declared that it will move them away from the Middle
East; the Sao Tome military base because of the offshore Oil
deposits. Yes, the US has been consistent in stating their policy
and there is nothing wrong with that. What is wrong is that even
when it is stated boldly and many times over, we still disbelieve
it.
Could such efforts of brokering peace with ultra motives by
the USA be construed as genuine?
Oil business flourishes best where there is peace because
your pipeline will not be blown up. Just revisit the Iraq tragedy
which is current and needs no re-stating. Would the peace
effort be genuine with ulterior motives? Yes and No. Yes, if the end
is to facilitate the exploitation of Sudan's natural wealth; No, if
it is meant to dampen concern over the Iraq debacle. Because among
Africans, you can point to settling the longest running conflict on
the African continent and many Africans will be bought over.
Remember the Museveni's Pan-Africanism, where even Congolese
supported the Pan-Africanism without critical reflection. The
Pan-Africanism became pan-gangsterism with western complicity. With
over 3 million people dead, the pan-Africanism, which Wamba Dia
Wamba supported and promoted, is the silent holocaust of Africa in
our present century. And to the Arabs, you can point to the settling
the longest war. Indeed, the US will appear concerned and caring.
"The Sudanese foreign minister (read below) is reported to have
said that his government would not tolorate Kony and further warned
that his governement's peace efforts with SPLA would fail if
other conflicts with in the region were not resolved. Does that mean
that the Sudanese are somehow skeptical about the peace drive under
the pressure from USA?
Why would they not be skeptical? After all, the US
supported and equipped the SPLA. What is new? We should
not doubt the intelligence of the Sudanese in this
matter.
Finally, will the latest development bring Uganda and
Sudan honestly closer considering that there is a
tremendous mistrust between Bashir and Museveni?
It all depends. We need to know the situation on the
ground. However we must move beyond diplomatic utterances in order
to dechiper the langauge and intentions.
You must have seen the trend whereby Museveni and Bashir
have appeared to warmly embrace each other and only for
Museveni to call Bashir names the next day. The last paragraph in
the news item below reads: "Under the on-going peace talks, it has
been agreed that the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army takes over the
Southern Sudan for a period of six years while elections are
organised." Is a new nation between Uganda and Northern Sudan
in the making?
To my knowledge, the SPLA are not asking for
seccession from the government of the
north. It would appear to me that dividing Sudan at this time would
be out of question, especially if the hand of the US is seen
appearing in it and especially after the Iraq debacle. It would rile
the Arab sensitivities in the middle East and further alleniate
the Americans in the Muslim world. The US would not be keen on this
especially that the SPLA has not asked for it.
I hope I have been of some use to your
quest.
Chris Opoka-Okumu
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Sudan rejects Kony rebels - New Vision 25th October
2003 | 
