| Posted to the web on November 22, 2007 |
|
|
November 22, 2007 (Nairobi) — Sudan is walking on a tight rope demonstrated by the strident and belligerent exchanges between the National Congress Party led by President Omar el-Bashir and the Salva Kiir-led Southern Sudan Liberation Movement/Army.
For a couple of weeks, the two groups have been tearing into each other, reaching the peak this week when President el-Bashir minced no words about his disdain for the government of Southern Sudan. First he warned that the government may not honour some of the agreements arrived at in Nairobi in January 2005 under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This was followed by an attack of Mr Kiir’s recent visit to America, arguing the trip was not authorised by his government. Observers were taken aback by this contention, which simply meant there was bad blood between the two. There was little doubt that the government was wavering on the peace deal and it was just a matter of time before a conflagration.
Mr Kiir, the President of Southern Sudan and the national vice-president answered in kind, invoking the war spirit. Not only did he chastise President el-Bashir on his remark about the America trip, but also warned that the SPLM/A was ready for war to defend itself if attacked by the Northerners.
After two years of peaceful co-existence following on the spirit of the January 2005 peace accord signed in Nairobi, the two groups are throwing caution to the wind and seems to be inching for war. This is an unfortunate development that must be stopped by all means. Sudan must not be allowed to degenerate to chaos and lawlessness that defined its life for two decades and reduced it to a basket case. Kenya, which has been at the centre of negotiations for the peace deal, must leverage its position and convince President el-Bashir and his vice, Mr Kiir, to sit down and thrash out the sticky issues that threaten to tear the nascent state apart.
Other neighbours and the international community, particularly the African Union and the United Nations, must forestall a new Sudan crisis. The country has suffered immensely, including the festering Darfur tragedy, hence must not be allowed to go to the dogs again.
(Daily Nation)
|
