Chris Opoka-Okumu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Mr. Kezimbira,Sorry for responding rather lateYou wrote:
"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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sudan rejects Kony rebels - New Vision 25th October 2003
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BALD HEADS: (Left to right) Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia), Abdi Kassim (Somalia), Joachim Chissano (Mozambique) Omar el Bashir (Sudan) facing Yoweri Museveni (Uganda ) and Mwai Kibaki (Kenya) after the opening of the IGAD summit in Kampala Friday. Uganda takes the chairmanship
By Geoffrey Kamali
SUDAN foreign minister, Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, has said his government would not tolerate Kony rebels because it considers the group a terrorist organisation.
He warned that talks with the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army rebels would fail if other conflicts in the region were not resolved.
He said similar efforts should be used in pacifying northern Uganda.
�We believe that if we are to look for comprehensive peace in Sudan, it will lead to comprehensive peace in the region.
�There should be the same zeal in settling the problems in northern Uganda, in Somalia and between Eritrea and Ethiopia,� he explained.
He was addressing journalists during a press briefing at the Sudanese Embassy in Kampala on Thursday.
�We should not look at the Sudan peace process in isolation instead we look at it in a broad way in the region,� he added.
He hailed Uganda's efforts in resolving differences, saying security organs from the two countries had signed various military protocols to flush out the LRA rebels.
�Sometimes, there are some complaints that maybe, some (Sudanese) military officers are involved but to our knowledge, there is no involvement of our officers,� Ismail said.
The briefing was later followed by an inauguration ceremony of the embassy premises by Sudanese President, Omar el-Bashir and Ugandan Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya. Both cut a cake and left shortly.
Ismail said his government is now concentrating on reconciling all people and regions of the country through fair sharing of power and wealth.
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.
He denied that there is slave trade in Sudan.Published on: Saturday, 25th October, 2003
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