His Street: "Investing In Others"

Analysis: Wk 4 - Exploring Sudan's Political Structures

So this week I’m focusing on the political groups and parties existing in the Sudan. I figure to assess power structures affecting the region and contributing to the genocide there, it’s best to have an understanding of the physical power structures in conflict. The websites listed give both a history of the existence of several of such structures in the region and address their goals.

So far, I’ve been very focused on aid organizations, like Save Darfur, and what the international community is doing or failing to do to help, without looking to the groups already in existence on the home front. One of the concerns in looking to the Sudanese groups for guidance for the church is the issue of corruption, but this is just as prevelant in looking to the US (even the Embassy of the Sudan within) and international political groups (like the United Nations). This link to the UN is actually a website for the United Nations System in the Sudan and contains facts pertaining to UN action specifically in that country.

But just this brief amount of research admits that both of the main political/military opposing groups in Sudan, the National Islamic Front (NIF) and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) reportedly manipulate the media. Both are reportedly active in violent fronts against the other parties contributing to the violence and civil unrest in the region. Granted, the SPLM/A was proposedly formed to resist the NIF’s Arabic regime in the a country that is predominantly African in population. Research suggests that most Southern Sudan organizations, like the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army are promoters of unity in diversity; that is, a democratic unity that reflects the countries varied racial and religious make-up.

I was delighted to find a Christian organization called South Sudanese Friends International which exists to promote “grassroots peacemaking and self-reliant living for Southern Sudan.” Interestingly, the founder of this organization served and resigned in 2004 as Chairman of the South Sudan Liberation Movement (SSLM – one of many southern Sudanese military/political groups) citing a desire to serve as an activist outside of a political military group. He had grown disheartened by the other Southern Sudanese parties that sought self-seeking power over the welfare of the civilians. The problem of corruption is clear. These resources will definitely assist in identifying smaller practices that may lend to a discussion of how the church can respond to the social problem of corruption in Africa.

Another strand that keeps recurring is this issue of oil in the region. Maybe next week I’ll get into that. But there’s something more to that story and my fear of economics is keeping me out of it, but I think I’ll have to jump in and see what’s really going on. Stay tuned.

More general background information regarding the political structures in the Sudan can be found at the following websites: Wikipedia gives a good overview for those wanting to familiarize themselves with the Darfur conflict in a more general way. Sudan.net gives a more cultural look at the region.

Note: Without a real knowledge of the conflict, many of these political groups sound very familiar because the names are really similar. I assure you, each are different, and I myself continue to process the distinctions between each faction.

posted by Colleen Yvonne Mae @ 9:37 PM