In a shining example to Africa of how a motivated people can vote in peace and transparent honesty, many polling stations in South Sudan closed their doors a full day early, having accounted for all the registered voters in their ward. As the allotted period came to an end the streets of Juba rang to the delighted songs of those who have placed their mark to end decades of repression. Only in Khartoum did those Southerners who have managed to secure worthwhile jobs mutter that continued unity was by far the best thing for all. No doubt they will be concerned for the security of their future income as foreigners in a less than welcoming environment. The results will be public knowledge on Feb 1st, although the official announcement will be made by Khartoum on Feb 14th. South Sudan is scheduled to become the newest nation on Earth July 9th. My lucky number and wedding anniversary.
Once the partying has finished the politicians and peacekeepers will push ahead even harder to try and achieve some kind of acceptable settlement in the two bleeding ulcers that threaten to derail ideas of peace for all. The talks on the future of Darfur continue unabated; will Khartoum dig in to fight or have the ruling party lost some of their belligerence with the anticipated loss of half the country? At present each idea put forward is being rejected by one side or the other. Not a lot changes fast in Africa.
The loss of Abyei would be too personal and involve too much loss of face to be accepted without a shout. Here the potential for conflict remains uppermost in many minds. The world’s press will be most interested in the possible news stories that will erupt from this corner of Africa if concession cannot be gained to the satisfaction of both parties.
The international journalists are (rightly) making a field day of events in Tunisia and in keeping with other Muslim countries, Sudan has joined the vociferous throng. However, in a tone of unconscious irony, the Presidency has responded to the events in Tunisia by saying that it welcomes the choice of their people and supports the overthrow of the despotic ruler. Ever looked in the mirror, Mr President?
Showing a firmer grasp on reality Mariam Al-Mahdi, a leading figure in the opposition Umma party and daughter of Sudan’s former prime minister, has echoed the plight of North Sudan by stating: "What caused this in Tunisia is so little compared to what we are going through. Our country is being divided; our sovereignty is lost and we are humiliated, and this is happening in Tunisia ... I feel ashamed." It's all grist to the mill of those wishing to bring about the downfall of this particular government.
The South look forward in gleeful anticipation, rightly or wrongly, to a New Beginning and expect President-elect Kiir to turn the swamp into the Promised Land for his people. The North cower amongst the prospects of internal strife, runaway inflation, the breakdown of constitutional law and order, the possibility of a freefall into the kind of Hell beloved by those who defile the name of Allah for their own, twisted, ideas of power. What would “Chinese” Gordon have thought of it all, I wonder?
Dave
You'll be glad to read this is probably my last missive on the referendum!
