How the Arab world lost southern Sudan: Both pan-Arabist and Islamist governments have failed to embrace diversity and pluralism – to their own detriment.

Reviving the ‘New Sudan’ vision

In the face of growing unrest, former statesmen John Garang’s vision could serve as a banner of unity.

The late Sudanese politician John Garang reframed the overarching narrative about Sudan’s internal conflicts [EPA]

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – John Garang, the Southern Sudanese Christian rebel-turned-statesman, was arguably one of the best and most charismatic leaders Sudan has had. He surely had many flaws, but one of his greatest contributions was his “New Sudan” vision, which widely appealed to many Sudanese, even in the predominantly Muslim Arab north.

What Garang essentially did was reframe the overarching narrative about Sudan’s internal conflicts and struggles. Rather than talk in terms of either the counter-productive Arab Muslim north versus African Christian south narrative or Darfur’s Arab versus African tribes storyline, he took an honourable stance and made an important valid observation………………..

Read the whole story here…

Liberating Juba from Khartoum: the future of South Sudan

The recent squabble over oil between the country and Sudan points to its need to forge new regional alliances.

Although South Sudan has gained independence, it remains economically dependent on Sudan [GALLO/GETTY]

Addis Adaba, Ethiopia – When South Sudan seceded in July 2011, the world knew that they would be taking the vast majority of the Sudan’s oil wealth with them. A new country with dismal infrastructure but vast oil reserves, hopes were high that despite years of conflict, South Sudan could use its oil wealth to build itself up.

But what good is all that oil in a country that cannot get it safely and reliably to market? This question is especially pressing due to the fact that domestic crude refining capabilities are non-existent and the only immediately available partners are their old foes to the north…….

Read more here……..

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/02/20122141158184697.html

How the Arab world lost southern Sudan

Both pan-Arabist and Islamist governments have failed to embrace diversity and pluralism – to their own detriment.

Sudan’s leaders failed to extend rights to people in the South, which led to the nation’s partition [EPA]

The division of Sudan into two states is a dangerous precedent. The Arab world has to draw the right lessons from if it wants to avoid the break-up of other Arab states into ethnic and sectarian enclaves.

The birth of South Sudan is first and foremost a testimony to the failure of the official Arab order, pan-Arabism, and especially the Islamic political projects to provide civic and equal rights to ethnic and religious minorities in the Arab world.

The jubilation that swept the people of southern Sudan at their independence from the predominantly Arab and Muslim north attests to the long-standing feelings of repression and alienation by a people, the majority of whom were born into the post-independence Arab world……..

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PaanLuel Wël

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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.

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