"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.
This is not a well thought-out move by the Republic of Sudan. While “for all countries except Israel”–one that is featured prominently in my old Sudanese passport which I still carry..was justified on the never-ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is just plain hard to account for the new dogma of “for all countries except South Sudan.”
Responding on what was printed by Khartoum on their passport which says “for all countries except Israel and South Sudan”, Dr Marial stated that Sudan and South Sudan are not enemies. He added, however, that it is their decision. He also cautioned that Khartoum government should also know that Misseriya and Rezigat are grazing in South Sudan territory.
After all, South Sudan and Sudan, just as it was in 1956 when Sudan got her independence from Great Britain, are historically, economically, culturally and politically linked forever by their shared past. For the NCP-led Khartoum government to champion the preposterous idea of “to all countries except South Sudan” when President Bashir (plus other government officials) would be jetting between Khartoum and Juba is just unrealistic, ill-informed and impractical.
If freeing oneself from servitude and oppression was such an unimaginable crime in the eyes of the NCP, then they better hurry up and petition the UK government to sanction the same “to all countries except Sudan” directives on the Sudanese. Otherwise, it is just a hubristic move meant for imagined domestic audience perceived to be baying for the blood of “Southerners” who dare to break away from the paradisaical Islamic and Arabic Republic of the Sudan.
Let’s wait and see what punishment, if any, would be imposed on the nomadic Misseriya and Rezigat whose seasonal movement make South Sudan part of their grazing land. Will the NCP place morality police on the border to effect the new law? You bet!!
PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.
