Young Man Wisdom

Here is an interesting article I found in “Alsudani”(arabic) news paper discussing the issue of Southern Sudan separation. It presents the views of some Southern Sudanese living in North Sudan . I used Google Translation tool, it is good to some extend. The article highlights some of the points I made in my previous post. Southerners in Khartoum show enthusiasm for the idea of separation News - Local News Sunday, December 27th, 2009 07:15 A few days before a crucial vote on the law on the referendum on the independence of southern Sudan due in 2011, showing many of the southern Sudanese enthusiasm for the idea of secession of their region, even if this possibility, some worry. Sabir Azzriha (21 years) expressed his confusion. he is a student in engineering and his father, who belongs to the north and his mother to the South, says he may decide not to belong only to one party in the event of the division of the country. "It seems it's like to put a foot here an

  The Situation in Sudan is becoming, with everyday pass towards the elections more complex . It seems the National Congress Party (NCP) made some changes to the agreement it had with SPLM regarding referendum for Southern Sudan independence and Abyei area. When the bill presented to parliament it was different to what SPLM agreed to, SPLM claims. This led to SPLM to withdraw its MPs from parliament till further notice. The main disputed issue is “Who has the right to vote?”. The SPLM demand, only those who live in Southern Sudan have the right to vote, while NCP want this right to include Southern Sudanese in the north too. In my opinion this is a very important issue which should not taken lightly. Most observers agree that Sudan will not stay a one country and the Southern are more likely to vote for independence. There are certain issues which North and South should need to discuss for a smooth independence to take place without any civil violence or disturbance. Issues like

Today, The National Congress Party (NCP) in Sudan  managed to pass National security bill in the parliament. It was a mechanical vote, because the 2005 agreement gave NCP majority in Parliament by which it managed to pass this law today. The SPLM MPs did not boycott the session but they voted against the bill, while  MPs for Northern opposition parties walk out of the session. The main issue in the bill that generating a lot of concerns among many Sudanese is the right of security forces to arrest individuals and keep them in custody for a maximum period of four months. This obliviously contradict 2005 peace agreement which stated that the Security forces task is to gather intelligence and provide them to authorities. This seems to be the deal which NCP and SPLM agreed upon recently after demonstrations. The NCP offered SPLM to agree for  its demand regarding referendum bill while SPLM does not boycott the National Security Bill so it would have some sort of legitimacy. The big lo

I found this interesting interactive time line for Sudan coming election. It is not up to date because the election has been delayed till April 2010. Sudan's Election Timeline on Dipity .

I do not know if you are familiar with the term  “Tea Lady”, but if you visited Sudan you probably know what I am talking about. Tea Lady, in short, is a mobile coffee shop!  it is composed of small box which contain the necessary equipment to make tea, tea with milk, coffee, and hot hibiscus. They use coal to boil water. Most of the ladies providing this service are of low socioeconomic status and illiterate. Women displace by conflicts in different wars in Sudan constitute a high percentage of this population. Generally, Tea lady has a low social status in Sudanese community specially in Khartoum . they are quite often associated with prostitution. The Federal Ministry of Health HIV programme considers them a special population group which deserve unique identity when reporting  HIV in Sudan. Most of the time they are bullied by local council  trying to get rid of them. They are always at risk of being sexually harassed. The lucky ones are those who managed to secure a spot i

It seems the situation in Khartoum is not going to calm down any time soon. Today the opposition collation went down to the streets, again, to protest against the delay in passing legislations related to next national election coming up this April. BBC Arabic service radio interviewed Mariam Al Sadiq, The daughter of Umma party leader, who was arrested by government security forces. She stated that all paper work required for the demonstration was made. according to her, the law only require organizers to alert official of demonstration but not to wait for their approval. she even quoted a section  of the constitution to prove her point. Around 38 people were arrested today according to Sudanile.com Pagan Amom( SPLM ) confirmed his party participation in today’s demonstration, despite an agreement reached with National Congress Party (NCP) yesterday! While the stand of the opposition parties is clear, the position of SPLM kind of strange. It is a part of the unity government, whi

Today’s agreement between northern National Congress Party (NCP) and SPLM was a surprised to me. Not the fact they reached an agreement but what they did agree on. SPLM seems to care more about independence of southern Sudan than the democracy reforms.  Mr. Pagan Amom (SPLM) told BBC Arabic service today that both parities have agreed on referendum law, Abyei , and consultation law. Legislation regarding security forces is going to discussed through a special committee by the two parties. It is clear that SPLM is not interested in National election taking place this April as long as legislations related to southern Sudan referendum are approved by the parliament. SPLM has used northern opposition parties to press NCP into giving them what they want in exchange of lower down the demand for laws reforms which will create the require environment for  free and fair election. SPLM main supporter are in south Sudan which make sense when it make the previous mentioned laws a priority. 

Akhir Lahza (Arabic) Sudanese news paper reported today cases of H1N1 have reached 200 case in Sudan , according to unnamed medical resource. Only three Pilgrims returned from Mecca were diagnosed with the virus. The unnamed medical resource added that all cases were discovered in Khartoum state , Red sea state , and Juba. I guess we need to wait for official confirmation of these figures from a reliable resources, but ministry of health has bad reputation in preventing and containing epidemics. The recent Haemorrhagic fever outbreak is a good example. Related articles by Zemanta The Hajj: A perfect storm for swine flu? (cnn.com)

An Interesting report by CNN from South Sudan abut the coming election. I wished to see more reaction from the people towards the elections, as many people there do not only know what democracy is. Its impact on the SPLM is going to be sever, so far SPLM enjoys a no opposition in south Sudan. The NCP is trying to create opposition but so far no real success. I hope when it come to election there will be reasonable options for southern Sudanese to choose from.

The current situation in Khartoum and Sudan in general does not look good. The rising tension between the ruling party and its partner is endangering the whole future of the country, north and south. It is beyond doubt the government is not going to allow for free, fair, and transparent election. All the legislations related to freedom of speech and press have not been passed yet by the Parliament, where the ruling party maintains a majority.   If things continue in its current course most likely opposition parties will boycott the coming election. The referendum will not take place and most likely the SPLM will retreat back to its base in the South gearing up for declaration of independence from rest of the country. Khartoum will go into unrest with everyday demonstrations and people go out to the streets, the government as usual will respond to demonstration by force. Putting in mind that there many groups in Khartoum carry weapons thing will get ugly, in fact it may deteriora

I have to say I was really surprised by the lack of accuracy by Amanpour regarding Monday Demonstration in Khartoum . For some reason she did not save an effort to present the picture as the government of Khartoum(which is the south part of it) is trying to oppress Southern Sudanese leaders. The Monday demonstration was organised by a collation that many opposition parties representing wide spectrum of Sudan community including north and south parties. I am really disappointed......

Today’s opposition demonstration is just another example of how the Sudanese government will act during the upcoming election. The government excuse, as usual, is no permit was obtained by the organizer, so the demonstration is illegal and the police has the right to use force to stop it. The world has seen many rallies and demonstration by the government supporters on the streets of Khartoum, I really doubt any permit was produced before the organiser hit the streets. The chance of the opposition for obtaining a demonstration permit is more slim than the chance of a Palestinian to obtain a building permit in east Jerusalem! This type of acts by the government really shed doubts on the upcoming elections.Is the government really ready to accept the results of elections? Today action tells it all. Is the election going to be fair and transparent? No chance. I am sure the government will do everything possible to undermine the election process. it is a dangerous situation which may