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Sudan: The Price of Separation

By: Nisrin Elamin

During this week, the people of Southern Sudan will cast their votes in a historic referendum to determine whether to secede from the North, likely becoming Africa’s newest independent nation. The date for this referendum was set six years ago, during the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) ending a 22-year civil war between north and south. The extraordinary voter turnout and jubilation at the polls this week reflects the desire of so many to free themselves from decades of oppression and marginalisation by successive Northern-dominated regimes. After enduring a brutal war in which two million people were killed and four million more were displaced, it is clear that the people of Southern Sudan are ready to become first-class citizens of their own sovereign nation.

As a northern Sudanese living in the diaspora, I am experiencing this historic moment with mixed emotions. I feelhopeful and inspired by a people who are inching closer towards their dream of self-determination. The demands of the Southern Sudanese liberation struggle represent the Sudan many of us in the North want: A nation in which wealth and power is more equitably distributed and where everyone, regardless of ethnicity, faith, or gender is treated with respect and dignity.

The impending secession of Southern Sudan should also serve as a wake-up call for us to recommit ourselves to the struggle for democratic change within our soon-to-be, newly drawn borders. The balkanisation of African states can be devastating, because it makes them more vulnerable to neo-colonial exploitation and undermines their political sovereignty, so we must ask why it has come to this.

The fact is, the Sudanese government failed to make unity a viable option for Southerners. Over the past six years, rather than making strides towards equitably sharing wealth and political power with the South, the Khartoum regime strengthened its grip at the expense of the majority of its citizens. The peripheral regions of Darfur and the South remain particularly neglected and underdeveloped.

A vote for secession will give the South control of about 80 per cent of Sudan’s current oil production of 490,000 barrels a day. This will represent a drastic shift from the 50-50 share between the Sudanese government and the Government of Southern Sudan set for the interim period, following the signing of the CPA. Meanwhile, the burden of these potential losses, are likely to be carried by those already marginalised in Northern Sudan. In the days leading up to this referendum for instance, the Sudanese government raised the price of fuel and sugar in preparation for the nearly 70 per cent oil revenue losses, which are expected once the South secedes. According to economic experts, the new price increases reflect the ‘price of separation’ from the country’s south.

These price increases have already caused suffering in the war-torn region of Darfur, where basic food items such as grains and vegetables are becoming more expensive as transportation costs rise. For the millions of Darfurians still living in the squalor of camps and dependent on food aid, an increase in fuel prices also has implications on food delivery and access to water among the displaced.

Sudan is currently sub-Saharan Africa’s third-largest oil producer, behind Nigeria and Angola, providing China with 30 per cemt of the oil that fuels its factories. And yet very little of Sudan’s oil profits have benefited its people. Instead, oil companies, primarily from China and Malaysia, have been providing the technology to explore the oil, while sharing the profits with the elites in power. Khartoum’s regime is said to have siphoned off as much as 40 per cent of total oil revenue, lining its own pockets through various forms of mis-pricing, instead of taking on the task of developing vast regions of the country that have been neglected for decades.

When a regime driven by greed loses its grip on power, it tends to tighten that grip before losing control. President Omar Al-Bashir’s latest remarks on the eve of this referendum, demonstrate this tendency quite vividly. In the days leading up to the vote, he announced that were the South to secede, he would change the constitution in the North to impose Sharia law and ensure that Islam and Arabic are the official religion and language, respectively. He also declared that the 1.5 million Southern Sudanese living in the north would lose citizenship rights and be removed from all public service positions, thereby perpetuating the marginalisation and exclusion Southern Sudanese people fought against for decades.

The people of Sudan belong to over 597 ethnic groups and speak over 200 languages and dialects. Of those ethnic groups, approximately 60 per cent identify as indigenous African and 40 per cent as Arab. 70 per cent of Sudan is Muslim, 25 per cent follow indigenous traditions and 5 per cent are Christian. If the South secedes, these demographics will shift, but the cultural diversity and religious pluralism of the country will remain intact. People who identify as indigenous Africans and do not speak Arabic as their first language will continue to constitute a majority in the north. And while most are Muslim, many do not adhere to the practices and interpretations of Islam put forth by the ruling elite. Forcefully imposing a mono-cultural national identity is therefore, a dangerous project, which could potentially lead to future demands for secession.

As we witness the people of Southern Sudan cast their votes on this historic occasion, it is therefore my hope that we in the north will organise ourselves, around an alternative project which recognises our people’s diversity as its strength. While the referendum represents a failure on our government’s behalf to make unity a viable option, it also represents our own complicity and silence around policies that, if left unchallenged, could ultimately lead to the further fracturing of our nation. We cannot however, rely on outsiders with a variety of agendas and motives, to challenge these policies for us. It must come from within, with the support and solidarity of those who respect Sudanese sovereignty and have the best interest of all Sudanese people at heart.

“I Listen…

Gray matter… doing rapid turntable spins as my cochlea attempts to focus in on a coherent rhythm… of LIFE
I said gray matter doing rapid turntable spins as I attempt to become one with LIFE’s sound
The sound of violent, neon red gun claps Often muddled between melancholic, syncopated drum beats
I hear the elders weeping through the drum
Life fluid splattered like paint on traumatized concrete like Basquiat strokes but it’s not a pretty picture
The reverberation of society’s dead beats… mothers and fathers to sons and daughters mistaken for unpleasant, awkward time signature gaps Gaps of time that should have been Love given to seeds in need of it…unconditionally
I see the elders weep in the sky, pouring profusely from cloud edges
The noise of terrified AK47s and hands trembling like Richter scale vibrations Shell shocked soldiers in ground combat
Morphine induced robotic killers
Programmed minds that sound like lost mutated, sizzling synapses going MAD
Sounds akin to anguished guitar riffs
What has this generation become? Where is the education in our mis-education?
My gray matter… is spinning rapidly as I continue to listen for the calm in all of LIFE’s chaos

By: Sanaa Talibah © 2010

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Another year, huh?

At this point it’s pretty much common knowledge that adults break New Year resolutions about as quickly as children break Christmas toys.

So let’s try something different this time around; something more relevant let’s say.

Let’s not even bother with New Year resolutions. After all, even if we do keep them, and we don’t because we’ve somehow grown convinced that intention alone is a victory…even if we do keep them, they generally don’t really make us a whole heck of a lot better as individuals.  And they certainly don’t do a damn thing for our collective condition.

So how about this: let’s pick one thing (a task, a commitment) one thing to accomplish with and for other Black people by next Kwanzaa.  That is, let’s actually have a harvest to celebrate.

Too broad?

All right, how ‘bout some basic guidelines:

1)   Speak positively about Black people.

We know some folks is trifling.  We know some folks is downright whack!  But if the only thing you can find to say about us is how we ain’t worth this or how we can’t to do that, chances are you the one with the problem.  Keep talking bad and that’s exactly what you gonna get.  Redirect that energy into making us better.

That leads to number two:

2)   Be solution oriented.

Quit complaining!  State that it’s whack once (twice if it’s particularly whack), then commit yourself to changing it.  Broadcasting how such and such ain’t did this or that aint helping it get done no quicker.  It’s unfortunate, but it’s true.  If you truly about the liberation of African people, you gonna need to accept that you’ll most likely be doing more than your fair share.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly:

3)   Love yourself and the rest of us.

Yo, we a sick people.  We oppressed and suffering. We got all kinds of issues.  Keep that in mind when working with others.  Patience and understanding.  Use these two words like a refrain, a woo-sah, if you will.  Some folks count back from 10.  We’ll say “patience and understanding.”  Matter fact, throw in a “Mama Africa” for good measure.

i know it gets mad frustrating, but what greater work?  And i ain’t tryna sit on no high horse.  i struggle with these same issues myself.  Baba Malcolm knows i struggle!

So with that, i dedicate this year to the development of righteous character.  May my word and deed be twin, my feet remain grounded, and may the Ancestors guide my heart, mind, and hands.

It’s gonna be a powerful year, ya’ll.  Let’s just make sure that power is working for us.
-brother amari

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Self determination; Southern Sudan vs Khartoum

It seems the new year will commence with the happening of a historical event. ON january 9th 2011, Sudan will hold a referendum that will potentially set the Southern part of the nation as an independent and separate nation from the rest of Sudan. While this might be welcomed with much optimism in the South, it is perceived negatively from Khartoum and some members of the world, who are concern that this might ignite a wave of succession movements in the continent. The Southern population of Sudan has faced constant attack of islamization from the northern Khartoum and has consequently suffered enormously, in terms of human lives and economic factors.  What will it mean for the rest of Sudan if the Oil rich and neglected south is to become an independent nation? What will it mean for the rest of the continent and the ‘international community’?

In the west, in the Darfur region, civilians are scared to participant because of what the government might do to them. Some are leaving and heading back to their hometown or moving to other areas where they feel safe from the Khartoum government.  In fact, one will not be wrong in assuming that Sudan is at a moment where it could easily break into  a devastating civil war as a consequence of the referendum.

Making matters even more complicate, what of the displaced population or refugees in Uganda and Kenya; will they participate? This leaves an enormous proportion of Sudanese whose voices will not be heard because they fear for their lives.

With the requirement of at least 75% vote in favor of independence, Southern Sudan’s hope of self determination seems an impossibility; and agreement between both parties is that turn out needs to be about 60% for the outcome to be valid, which makes sense as it will be the majority.

There is also the risk of the Khartoum refusing to recognize the result of the referendum ( this is in the case that it looses) and this might escalate internal conflicts in the country. That is to say that, although this referendum is important in its timing in that it halted the conflict, the chances of civil war erupting is also higher, given the heated nature of this debate.

The referendum also has the potential to create more conflict in terms of which areas are to be given to which government, etc. Given that natural resources is part of the war perpertuated by Khartoum, it will be in its interest to make sure that it gets the richest areas in terms of resources, especially oil (the south is rich in oil production, which happens to be Sudan’s main source of foreign income as it sells most of its production to China)

The south has received little gain from this oil extraction even though they have at times have to relocate so oil extraction can be increased.

In the case that the referendum becomes a success a new African nation will be born. And similar to the poorest of African nations (although rich in resources) it will be characterized by mass hunger of people, unavailability of services, even as basic as health care, unequal distribution of income that they encounter even from the wealth made from oil production.

At least Southern Sudan needs its chance at self determination. It needs what is not receiving from Khartoum and it seems the only way t get this, is independence. The only fear is that the outcome will not result in separatist movements in other African nations  (such as Nigeria) that face internal divisions.

Practical Nguzo Saba: Why Kwanzaa should be 24/7/365

By: Tafari Melisizwe

12.27.6250

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It is very rare to hear Afrikan children speak about aspirations of becoming a doctor. However, they are more than able to become one because  it was Afrikan people that were educators of the world. Afrikans practiced the first forms of medicine; mostly using resources found in nature. These kinds of medical or healing practices still stand in contemporary Afrika. Anything from healing a wound to using the liquid from a certain tree as eye drops all have been used, imitated and/or exploited by western and european powers.
There are Black physicians today that know all too well the health and medical issues concerning Afrikan people around the world. Sista C.N. Howard is one of them. It is not only important to be able to establish oneself as a physician, but it is necessary as a person of color to understand the conditional health of the people. During this interview from our sista she explains her early dreams of becoming a doctor and continues on through her journey of not only achieving her goal, but her purpose for becoming a healer for the people.

Interview:

What made you decide to go into medicine and what is your focus?
Becoming a physician has been a childhood dream of mine. I received a Fischer Price Doctor’s Bag from my mother when I was approximately 3 and I’ve been giving examinations and/or inquisitive about health issues ever since. I’m currently a first year Osteopathic Medical Student, but I desire to practice primary care in the underserved community.

What is your take on the health of Black people across the Afrikan Diaspora?
There are several contradictions when considering the health & health care of Africans around the globe. Limited access to adequate and holistic health care being a primary concern, this includes those of a higher socio-economic status in our community. We need to focus more on prevention and wellness within our community (i.e. regimented exercise, healthy & balanced diet, drinking at least 8 glasses of water, cleansing our gastrointestinal system, taking vitamins, etc.).

Given the history of unethical experimental science throughout the world on people of color (i.e. the infamous Tuskegee experiment, vagina mutilation of slaves to advance gynecology, and the current practice – throughout various countries on the continent – of spreading HIV for the sake of finding vaccines and or measures to decrease transmission), Africans are very skeptical of participating in research experiments (and understandably so) that may help advance various conditions that plague our community. The solution I propose is funding our own experiments, lead by Black scientists & researchers, and formulating partnerships with Black physicians and scientists to maintain checks and balances.

Out of all the diseases and medical problems that we are facing, which would you say is the most dominant and why?
HIV/AIDS is definitely a grave concern. Sisters are being infected at alarming numbers in the States and abroad, according to statistics. As we know, there is no available cure for this virus, so we should all be concerned. Prostate Cancer is very detrimental in the older Black male population and should be aggressively screened. Diabetes Mellitus – Type 2 (a.k.a. sugar) and Hypertension (a.k.a. high blood pressure) are very prevalent in the African community. I can postulate that a conglomeration of factors are at the root of these concerns (i.e. diet, life style, genetics, distrust in the healthcare system, lack of access to healthcare, etc.), but I really would like to encourage my people to become pro-active to prevent the aforementioned through gaining proper knowledge about the diseases and focusing on wellness.

What are some ways to prevent some of the medical conditions of our people and how much does health tie into that?
Again, I have to stress the importance of wellness (physical, mental, and spiritual). A healthy, well-balanced diet, in addition to exercise, vitamins & herbs. The body has the ability to heal itself, when given optimal conditions to do so.
 

Are there any healers of the past that you admire? Are there and Black doctors/ physicians?

As the Yoruba Proverb states, “If I stand tall it is because I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors”; I have to acknowledge all of my predecessors who created a path for me (inclusive of the nameless and renowned natural healers, firsts to receive a Medical Degree or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, or invent medical techniques or instruments). I give much thanks for Imhotep (the father of medicine), who influence science around the world.

As you know Imhotep is the father of medicine. Is there anything from his practices that you feel could be applied today?
A lot of the teachings of Imhotep were passed to Hippocrates who the western world credits being the father of medicine, thus many practices of Imhotep and other ancient African physicians are in use today, in some shape, form, or fashion. If one studies the Metu Neter (a.k.a. hieroglyphics) they can see that many of the instruments used today in medicine, were used thousands of years ago in Africa. One thing that I would like to return to practice is birthing stools (a woman standing during delivery works with gravity, as oppose to lying down).

We hear talks about building our own businesses and schools but we rarely hear anything about starting our own medical centers/ hospitals etc.

Do you have any interest in creating an outlet for that?
While I can agree that we don’t hear much discussion about starting a hospital by Black physicians, there are some who open their own practices. Hospitals have become focused heavily on dollars and cents, business, and politics. Unless, one is seeking to create a hospital that actually serves the interest of the people, there isn’t a need for one to be started to merely capitalize off of the illnesses of the people. I plan to link up with like-minded physicians to establish a community health center that serves the needs of the underserved, specifically -but not limited to- the Black community.

 Lastly what is your message to the people?
We are at a pivotal point and can no longer sit idle & complacent as we continue to get attacked politically, socially, and economically. There is no better time than now to become pro-active, gain political education, and organize so that we may be an empowered, self-determining people. “Rise up mighty soldiers, you can accomplish what you will”.

Currently Sista Howard is still working towards her medical career and continues to dedicate liberated efforts towards the people through medicine and knowledge of self.

This has been a liberated Black Power Media interview. Hotep