Sudan

Sudan is currently involved in the Darfur Conflict. Reported as genocide, the government and the militia group, the Janjaweed, has attacked tribes and groups in the south accusing them as being government rebels. Sudan generally has high connections with the countries of the Muslim Arab world. Sudan has special ties with the People’s Republic of China, mostly due to the arms trade. The global relations with Sudan though have been affected a lot, mostly because of the Darfur Conflict. Also, Chad has declared a ’state of belligerency’ with Sudan and accused the country of being the common enemy of the nation (Chad).

2) Outline the political situation in your country (this can be given in a timeline). How stable is your nation? What type of government is in charge of your country? What is its rank on the corruption index (look this up on transparency international)?

The government is a one party rule, that isn’t stable. For the past few decades, government overthrows has occurred frequently. The man currently in charge is Omar Hassan Al-Bashir. Corruption is one of the many problems that overshadow Sudan. According to Transparency International, Sudan is ranked 172^nd out of a possible 179, one of the most corrupt nations in the global community. The 19 year civil war between government north and rebel south also has affected Sudan’s condition severely, and the footprint can still be seen today even after the war “ended” in 2005. Plus, the Sudanese government has been heavily criticized by the global community on the Darfur conflict.

3) Be critical: is your country a hindrance to global peace? Does your nation engage in ‘questionable’ activities? What is your nation’s reputation globally? Is it a pariah state or a global citizen? (You may use information derived from your interviews to address this question and the state of the world atlas).

Sudan is a pariah state. And could be a problem to global peace. According to the State of the World Atlas, the United States has declared Sudan as an “unfriendly state”. The terror network Al-Qaeda has been known to seek refuge in Sudan. Their leader, Osama bin Laden was reported to be in Sudan in 1992 until he was thrown out in 1996. During the time, Sudan was backing the terror network. Even after the government dissolved relations with Al-Qaeda, the terror network is still going strong in Sudan. Sudan is also under sanctions imposed by the US in 2001 after the New York terror attacks due to accusations of the country’s involvement. Europe, Canada and other countries are applying to the sanctions. Also, Sudan is at the brink of war with Chad. Disputes between the two countries has brought major debates in the global community.

4) What is your nation’s human rights record? Check out how they are doing according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and Transparency International.

The Darfur conflict puts Sudan as a major human rights abuser. Also seen as an Ethnic Cleansing, the people of Darfur are killed, raped, tortured and held as prisoners. The government supported Janjaweed has been raging through western Sudan, forcing them to flee in to neighboring Chad. This certainly is an act against humanity. According to Amnesty International, help from the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force to Darfur (UNAMID) has had little effect in Darfur. One reason is be the refusal of President Bashir to allow the UN soldiers into Darfur, and only little help can be given by the poor managed African Union soldiers that are allowed in to Darfur. A simple tactic used by Bashir that informally abuses human rights.

5) Would you be proud to be a member of this country? Why or why not?

I would have to say no. The country is a beautiful one. Rich in culture, tradition and history. But the Darfur conflict is a giant stain in Sudan’s condition. And I would not want to be in the middle of the conflict, as a victim or the oppressor.

6) If you were a policy advisor to the leader of your country, what would you recommend to him/her to make your nation a better GLOBAL CITIZEN?

I would advise the leader to stop the killings. The global community won’t accept Sudan as a global citizen if the Darfur conflict continues. This can be seen today as the Olympic torch is extinguished by protesters against Beijing in the connection to Darfur. Another point is to strengthen connections with Chad. The war is useless and nothing will be achieved out of it. Plus, the influx of refugees could be cut down with a peace plan between the two countries. Also, the use of child soldiers in the army must stop. These children need to be in school. Not out in the field.