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U.S. Foreign-Policy Shift: Sudan’s Long March to Peace
Dr. Hashim El-Tinay
Guest Editorial Archives
Friday, January 21, 2005; Page 18
The signing in Nairobi, Kenya, on January 9, 2005, of the comprehensive peace and the permanent cease-fire agreement between the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, witnessed by Secretary of State Colin Powell, marks a new beginning in the – hopefully - irreversible march toward peace in the Sudan. It is the culmination of much sacrifice and a long, hard struggle waged by peace-loving people in the Sudan, in Africa, and throughout the world.
Unlike the Clinton administration, the Bush administration has done the right thing by accepting the fact that, beyond ideological and theological considerations, the Sudanese people (Christians, Muslims, and others) want, need, and deserve freedom, peace, dignity, and prosperity – not war. The lesson here is that oftentimes when America takes sides, it becomes part of the problem; but when it acts on principal and as an honest broker it can become part of the solution.
The long-term interests of the United States would best be served by an enlightened foreign policy that strives to serve the universally sound American ideals of freedom, justice, peace, democracy, human rights, and prosperity for all, locally and globally. This is the right thing to do. This is the direction that led us to this moment of opportunity in the Sudan.
The Bush administration deserves credit for heeding the call for a strategic shift in American foreign policy towards peace in the Sudan. This model of sharing power and resources among those who have been excluded, and the inclusion of Sudan’s marginalized peripheries are the way forward. It could hasten a successful conclusion of the Abuja Conference (Nigeria) and enable the people of Darfur to join the march towards peace and development. Success in the Sudan could be a force for good for both countries and for the cause of justice and peace in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
Using American power wisely to encourage warring parties to negotiate and find political solutions to their problems is the best way for America to serve freedom and democracy and in the process win the hearts and minds of many people in the African, Arab, and Muslim worlds who are angry at U.S. policies. Many now, and especially after the invasion of Iraq, perceive American policy as unilateral, unjust, racially and religiously-biased, oblivious to international law and arrogant. The world has a high expectation of the World’s only Super Power and judges America on its commitment to its own ideals within its boarders and in its international relations. It expects America to lead by example, dialogue, and persuasion rather than by coercion and intimidation.
The Southern Sudan has been devastated by 21 years of war, and it urgently needs potable water, food, clothing, housing, schools, hospitals, and river, road, railway and air transport. These investments can spur development and will help the region welcome the return of millions of refugees. In the long run these investments will stimulate economic growth and development.
While the signing of the Sudan peace agreement on January 9 is an important political achievement, with the ongoing Darfur crisis, it is still the first step in the one thousand miles march to real peace in Africa’s largest country. Although we cannot restore the two million lives lost, we have a moral responsibility to see to it that both parties abide by this agreement and respect it. We also have a moral responsibility to lead the international community’s reconstruction efforts and to help the Sudanese people rise from the ashes.
Dr. Hashim El-Tinay is Founder and President, Salam Sudan Foundation, a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit organization working for justice, peace, democracy, and human rights through cross-cultural and interfaith research, education, and cooperation and the promotion of a thoughtful dialogue of cultures, civilizations, and religions.
E-mail: salamsudan@aol.com, Web site: www.salamsudan.org/ |
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