Because the website of Sudan Advocacy Action Forum is down, we are posting the commentary they recently sent to their email distribution list here.
Sudan Advocacy Action Forum
Situation Update 5-2012
May 19, 2012
Dear Friends of the Sudanese and Sudanese Friends,
"If history is any guide, Khartoum's agreement to the cease-fire terms dictated by the May 2, 2012 UN Security Council Resolution, supported by the African Union, will prove meaningless; follow-up agreements will be signed, and they too will prove meaningless. The National Islamic Front/National Congress Party regime has never abided by any agreement with a Sudanese party---and never will, certainly not without much more vigorous international pressure on Khartoum, pressure that is not disabled by a factitious "even-handedness," a moral equivalency between the NIF/NCP génocidaires and the struggling leadership in Juba. Eric Reeves
Conflict continues to dominate Sudan and South Sudan precluding progress in either nation.
1. North attacks North: The government of Sudan continues to conduct war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur, Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile. Why does the U.S.relatively ignore this while it forcefully engages in Libya, Egypt and Syria? Ask President Obama during his re-election campaign.
2. North attacks South: Following routine aerial bombardment of Southern towns and refugees, the South Sudan army easily defeated the Sudan Armed Forces when it attacked their troops in the oil-rich Heglig area. In response to the U.N. request, Southern armed forces withdrew to promote an atmosphere for peace. On the other hand, Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir responded, "We only do the things we want to do. And no security council or the whole world for the matter can force us to act otherwise."
3. South-South: Both Khartoum-supported rebels and tribal conflict disrupt peace and prevent progress in South Sudan. The government, not always effectively, seeks to defeat the rebels and promote peace among its communities. Tragic example: Recently during a forced disarmament 9 people were killed in Pibor County by SPLA troops. The flavor of the killing is revealed when we realize that one unarmed 15 y/o boy was killed when the SPLA stole his cattle.
I am encouraged that there have been several Op-Ed pieces written recently which acknowledge that the path taken by the U.S. and the U.N. has been both inappropriate and ineffective. For example, Rev. Franklin Graham encouraged the U.S. to bomb the airfields from which the Sudan Armed Forces attacks South Sudan and its own civilians; Andrew Natsios noted the need to arm South Sudan with anti-aircraft weapons so that they can stop Sudan's air attacks; and lastly, but most importantly, Prof. Eric Reeves, and former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer publicly spoke out noting that we must stop treating conflicts in Sudan with moral equivalency.
That path, which makes no sense, has been followed by the A.U., U.S., and U.N. There is nothing morally equivalent between those who bomb innocent women and children and those who try to defend them. Yet this has been the immoral policy of the U.S.administration for three years. As he seeks re-election, ask President Obama why he thinks these are equivalent.
May the wisdom of God guide local, national and international leaders to establish a just and lasting peace.
In His Service,
Bill Andress
Sudan Advocacy Action Forum
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