Encounter: Should Sudan have another CPA from the ashes of Abyei and Omdurman?
June 5, 2008 (Kordofan, Sudan) -Two recent events on Sudan's political scene have stripped Naivasha's CPA naked, leaving it vulnerable for other minor adversaries like Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)affiliated nomadic tribes, who pulled the other standing frames of the comprehensive peace agreement to its total collapse. The two events all violated human rights code by all conventional standards.
The aftermath of crackdown on Darfuris, in Khartoum, Kosti, El-Obeid, Atbara, Kassala and Darfur itself, is unfortunate. The JEM's "Operation Long Arm" launched against Omdurman, generated intense racism and hatred from riverain tribes of the Sudan towards marginalized people of Darfur.
Another event is the total destruction and capture of Abyei from 13th to 21st May 2008, by SAF's 31st Brigade assisted by misseriya militia forces from the neighboring towns of Mugled, Babanusa, Meiram, Kijera and Fulla.
There are growing signs that a truly and only one comprehensive peace agreement should be signed in the Sudan before the great year of partition, 2011. Naivasha' CPA is proving unworkable because of 10th May assaults on Omdurman and capture of Abyei by Sudan armed forces-SAF in mid May. Let me tell you why we need another CPA soon! 2005 CPA is dead! Will it rise from the ashes of Omdurman and Abyei?
Assaults on Omdurman:
It was a brave move by a former NIF acolyte who knew the easiest way to Khartoum was through fire and ashes. Dr. Khalil Ibrahim wanted to end marginalization of his people that Saturday afternoon of 10th May, 2008.He used more than 130 "Fere-fere" Toyota Land Cruiser commonly used in desert attacks. Women ululated for them as they were entering Khartoum! The man clearly studied the terrains to Khartoum. Citizens from Darfur and Kordofan offered his caravan water and food on the long way.
"If they are going to depose this oppressive regime in Khartoum let them go by Allah's blessing!" Yes, many marginalized citizens from Darfur and Kordofan wished and blessed JEM's fighters; "boys, safe journey to Khartoum," they said.
In June 1989, Brigadier Omer Bahsir walked from Mayom, Mugled and finally Khartoum. Dr. Khalil too wanted to do the same. If JEM's passage to Khartoum was not facilitated by growing number of sympathizers along Darfur-Kordofan borders, who are the people living in these areas? Are they Chadians or Israelis? If the Kordofanians and Dafurians hated JEM and Dr. Khalil Ibrahim, they would have reported their military advance to Khartoum. Remember, all the villages in Kordofan are awash with Thuraya satellite phones provided by guardians of NCP. The purposes of these intelligence operatives are to report to nearest military or security base of any unfamiliar activities deemed; "threats to national security."
Dr. Khalil Ibrahim followed the same route of Mohamed Ahmed Al Mahdi, Islamic rivalist revolutionary, who in 1880s swept Sudan with his ansar-army. Mahdi's decisive assault on Khartoum was through the gate of Omdurman. The first "Khalifa", successor, to Mohamed Ahmed Al Mahdi was Abdulahi Taishi from Darfur. Today's dark-skinned Sudanese of Omdurman are Abdulahi's tribesmen. The similarities between Abdulahi and Khalil Ibrahim are not the determination founded in Islamic faith. There is more than that. Real liberators in the Sudan are frequently coming from the marginalized regions of the country. Let us think again and stop brandishing Khalil's assault on Omdurman as conviction on dervishsm drawn from religious drunkenness. Dr. Khalil Ibrahim might have failed taking power in Khartoum. But his bold move is a lesson and a pill that rulers in Khartoum will take long time to swallow. Do they sleep with assurance these days in Khartoum? No! Khalil Ibrahim just made a "missed call". Next time he or someone will make a real "Call" with full receipt with the Sim card of marginalization. As far as things are not in order in Khartoum, the Hot Seat will remain hot and accessible from all corners. First it was from the south, east, west and who knows, the north may follow soon.
Now let us answer this; if 2005 CPA was truly comprehensive, why did reserve police force and Sudan security battle JEM alone on 10th May in Omdurman? There is clear manifestation that the Republican Palace in Khartoum and the whole power structures belong to NCP. The government of national unity, GoNU, should be protected by joint integrated unit, JIU. Khartoum as the seat of GoNU should have been protected by JIU until 2011. While Naivasha's CPA is still a failure, Free Lions, SLA, SPLA and any other armed group that signed "peace" with NCP government will NEVER fight alongside police reserve force and Sudan security to safeguard coups or uprising. Assaults on Omdurman proved one more thing, Sudan Armed Forces, SAF, is a relegated force. Name calling began after Darfur's revolution. Today's SAF is "fifth columnists" in the eyes of NCP officials. SAF's services in Khartoum are not needed. Darfur and Abyei are there regions of exploits currently.
It is now clear, for the people of southern Sudan, CPA's remaining symbols are the SPLM ministers in the GoNU and the parliamentarians in Omdurman. As for Eastern Front and SLA\M, the concern is to protect Minni Arcua Minawi and Mohamed Ahmed plus few of those who benefit from their presence in Khartoum.
This article has been divided into two parts. Please check for part two next time
*John Oryem is The New Sudan Vision Chief Bureau Officer in Sudan, author of two books and editor of Author-me.com and lives in Kordofan. He can be reached at oryemjohn@yahoo.com
