Shenali Waduge

If Sudan ended up a show of supremacy between US and China over Africa culminating in the separation of a nation into 2, we can expect a similar scenario concerning Sri Lanka in Asia. Many of the conflicts taking place around us today have been choreographed to establish modern colonialism against the very countries that have been fleeced in the past ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s case is no different and Sri Lanka now needs to be alert. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

As of 2005, SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s population (concentrated mostly throughout the central belt) stood at 39million with over 40% under 15 years. South Sudan is tropical, under developed & inhabited by mostly Africans. North Sudan is drier but wealthier and linked to Muslim Middle East. Darfur located North-West of Sudan is SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s largest region with a population of about 4-5m. Sudan has over 400 ethnic groups with their own languages and dialects.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Sudan is a former colony of both Egypt and Britain and is the largest state in Africa sharing borders with Chad, Egypt, Congo. Central African Republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya and Uganda. There is only 1km that divides Sudan & Chad. Thus, cultures are similar & trade (legal & illegal) including marriages take place making citizenship factor difficult to identify. This echoes similar scenario in Sri Lanka where Tamil Nadu Tamils have obviously been encouraged to cross over to Sri Lanka and have made a large number of illegal immigrants which India obviously refuses to acknowledge.

It is estimated that 2.5m lives have been lost thus far through decades of violence in Sudan. What is important is not that the Government has been funding militia, or that the rebels are being funded and armed by the West but that the gap between the North and South was solidified by the British who had set up an imaginary border disallowing people of the North and South to integrate isolating Muslims of the North while South Sudan was being converted to Christianity. Meanwhile, tribal wars were encouraged by arming farmers. By January 1988 there were said to be over 50,000 automatic weapons in Darfur (1 for every 16 men).

Well known to Sudan political society, that their countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s elites often mobilise the ethnic, racial and religious difference that exist between them in maintaining themselves in power. This has been the case with the elites of both Sinhalese & TNA in Sri Lanka.

In 2003, Sudan was faced with a situation where militias backed by the Sudanese Government were killing civilians of 3 African communities in Darfur (a region west of Sudan). In 2006, a similar wave of attacks occurred and 500,000 lives are said to have been lost whilst millions were left homeless. Darfur became the 1st genocide of the 21st century.

In 1998 President Clinton apologized in Rwanda for not doing ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-as much as we couldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ to stop the Rwanda genocide in 1994 since it ignored intelligence reports that came as early as 1990s. The 1994 massacre took place no sooner Rwandan President HabyarimanaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s plane was shot down. The Clinton administration stands guilty of even blocking international intervention in Rwanda and simply withdrew UN forces from Rwanda.

SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s situation was really no different. Nothing was done by the West because the chaos has been created by them and peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s lives were not important.

What is this conflict all about

It is extremely important for people to realize that certain events taking place around us are not natural events but oneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s that have been artfully choreographed to take place (just like the rise in kidnappings in Sri Lanka). That chaos once created kickstarts the role of international media together with the humanitarian organizations who jointly cry ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-stop genocideƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, do ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-somethingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Save DarfurƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s intervention came after lobbying by a coalition of 164 organizations (Evangelicals). Most of the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s humanitarian organizations are all Christian or Catholic. We note similar calls in Sri Lanka by these same groups.

These ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-save humanityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ chants gives the opportunity for these ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-choreographersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ themselves to enter as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-moral humanitarian crusadersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ sending out harsh diplomatic statements who thereafter put into action what they had already planned before the chaos took place in these countries. Interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Yugoslavia were all choreographed to perfection. These countries including Iran, Syria, Somalia, Lebanon and Sudan were all targeted nations in a US Government plan drawn up in 2001.

It is extremely important to take note of the trends before the political tsunami. Maj.Gen. Salah Abdallah Gosh accused of attacking Darfurian civilians is invited to the US & flown on a CIA jet in 2004. How similar to Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s case!

Then we have bodies like the IMF praising these nations signaling neoliberal economic reforms much like that is happening in Sri Lanka and we are to be happy that loans are been given. How many actually know what compromises were made for these loans?

That militants in Sudan were armed and trained by US allies in Africa is a known fact. Similarly, groups of militants were first trained in India by India and then sent on a mission to destabilize Sri Lanka. Thereafter, LTTE emerged the most powerful having killed or frightened away all other Tamil militant movements. LTTE then stole the idea of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-saving Tamils from the SinhaleseƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ for a Tamil Eelaam as it camouflaged their terrorism. The idea to separate was mooted well before independence by Tamils having being brainwashed by the British to think they were the rightful heirs to Sri Lanka. Eventually, LTTE became a hindrance to that Eelaam goal since it turned itself into a mercenary outfit by being hired to kill and resorting to killing their own people whilst making millions transforming a terrorist outfit into a commercial enterprise.

Thus in Sri Lanka the West has understood the problem wrongly unless they are not concerned with the problem at all but desire only to create further problems that would help realize their own agendas.

The reality remains that despite the chorus of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-discriminationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ chants in every area of society Tamils are represented and hold prominent portfolios in both private & public sectors including Government. There is no example that Tamils are able to give wherein they are exclusively denied rights legally or constitutionally. There are no examples that Tamils can give to show that Sinhalese enjoy privileges that Tamils & Muslims do not enjoy. The only example is that it is unlikely that a Tamil can become the President of Sri Lanka ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” but then how many Sinhalese can attain that milestone?

Why is Sudan so important suddenly?

Why has the largest country in the African continent become of sudden interest to US? Sudan has oil reserves that could rival those of Saudi Arabia. Sudan also has natural gas, uranium and copper. ChinaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s trade volume in Africa exceeded USD150billion while US figures were USD82billion. China purchases more than 60% of Sudanese oil & 71% of Sudanese exports. 80% of SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s revenues come from oil. Sudan has granted China unhindered access to Port Sudan Harbor (a Red Sea port allowing China to deliver shipments by sea to Sudan & the entire East Africa). Port Sudan is a short distance from Yemen & Saudi Arabia & serves as transit trade for Ethiopia, Chad, Central Africa Republic, Egypt, Congo, Uganda & Kenya. Chinese has laid out a plan to develop ports on the Red Sea until 2020. In neighboring Zimbabwe there are over 15,000 Chinese working in mining, energy & other industries while in Sudan over 35,000 Chinese nationals work on oil rigs.

Unlike the US, China has provided technology and equipment to build pipelines and has been purchasing SudanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s oil while the US policy has been to shut down export of oil through sanctions and to support separatist movements south of Sudan assuring a long civil war leaving the Sudanese Government helpless enabling US to pressure a peace agreement. The US uses military supplies to forge links and the US cannot deny that it uses its closest allies to train & arm the SLA and JEM despite the US discussions with the Sudanese Govt.

The scenario is no different to Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka should not take praises from both the West and India thinking that these countries are genuinely happy with them. ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s only a charade. There are no friends in politics. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

There are 7000 African Union troops stationed in Darfur assisted by US/NATO forces. There are thousands of UN personnel overseeing refugee camps for hundreds of thousands IDPs as a result of war, famine & drought. They are all part of the neo-colonial clique presently on missions throughout Africa and Asia.

The former French colony, Chad is funded by US and French forces. Chad is supporting the rebels in Darfur obviously with US nod of approval.

The US that often chides nations of targeting civilians may like to recall how President Clinton ordered the 19 missile attack in August 1998 on El Shifa pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum killing civilians and children. The US excuse was that it was a poison gas facility. No compensation was ever given by the US.

Thus, we do not need to be reminded as to how the US exerts power in the UN. In 1950, US invaded Korea carrying UN flags ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” 4m people died & the US still occupies part of Korea. UN troops were deployed in Congo in 1961 again at the insistence of the US. This led to the assassination of Patrice Lumumba ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” CongoƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s 1st prime minister. In 1991, US got a UN mandate to bomb Iraq ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” civilian infrastructure, water purification plants, irrigation & food processing plants were all destroyed. 1.5m IraqiƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s have died from US sanctions. We know too well that the UN presence in Yugoslavia & Haiti are only a cover for US/NATO requirements.

Sudan divided & what next!

A referendum held in Sudan separated South Sudan (mostly Christian & Black) from North Sudan (mainly Arab & Islamic). Sudan will be refashioned along neoliberal lines by US companies, NGOs & think tanks under a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-humanitarianƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ cover. President BashirƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s fate is already taken care of and ICC has charged him with genocide. These are all cues for Sri Lanka as we see with the persistence of accountability on civilian casualties during the last stages of the war. The numbers that the LTTE has killed and the fact that the LTTE is a banned terrorist organization is of no consequence neither is the fact that even by the UN Charter Sri Lanka has every right to safeguard the nation and its people. That successive Governments failed to realize this is part of the problem we face.

There is already talk of Southerners in North Sudan to be deported. What is the likelihood in Sri Lanka where of the likely 1.5m or less Tamils more than half this number live amongst the Sinhalese while Tamils abroad and a few Tamil parties are crying out for an Eelaam in the North and India wants the East to be again merged to realize their own agenda? Out of 65,610 sq km why should 18880km be devolved to the North and East for less than 800,000 people (inclusive Sinhalese and Muslims) while over 19m live in the rest of Sri Lanka including Tamils?

Sudans problems are many : Sudan is a country suffering consequences of colonial divide and rule, tribal rivalries encouraged by supplying of arms by the West, famine, drought creating further disharmony, clashes amongst ethnic groups, religious factions, Sharia Laws enforced by the Government being one of the biggest problems. Separating Sudan has created new problems out of the old problems because the root causes have not been addressed simply because those that decided upon the division was only interested in advancing their interests and not those of the people of Sudan. In Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s case it is no different.

We are unlikely to get anywhere by expecting politicians to canvass the real issues. All politicians throughout the world enjoy making prolonging problems for their own political existence. All throughout the past the international message has been given by these same people. It is the same with the Tamil political parties who prefer not to project the truth as their livelihoods will be at risk and neither will the Tamil Diaspora for they have been making USD300m from this tiger enterprise for an Eelaam.

The US backed Resolution against Sri Lanka is part of a gameplan for Sri Lanka and it is highly likely that the West is encouraging calls for a referendum by the Tamil Diaspora not to give Eelaam but to divide the country so that the West can have a geographically important area to control Asia. When money talks there is no morality and let Tamils not forget that the Diaspora is a LTTE tool tied up to their bogus charities. We need not tell how important Sri Lanka is geographically. The people of Sri Lanka whether they are Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim is of no importance to these bandits of peace.

World affairs today is all about liberal imperialism, imperial intervention, liberal theorists who are intervening in nation states in the name of justice and humanity to plunder countries that have already been plundered.

Can these earmarked countries be able to liberate themselves? Yes, if the people are made aware. As for Governments that know its time is limited it is best that they do not follow a do not care attitude and carry on with business as usualƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦they are unlikely to enjoy any of the riches they acquire if they end up suffering the same fate as Bashir. It is far better to gain the respect of the nation and its backing whatever eventuality. There is no stronger shield than the people of a nation for any Government against all foreign and locally-bought enemies.

Sri Lanka can show we are different to other nations whose fall has been choreographed only if we remain united.

Shenali Waduge