Will the Sudan Interim National Assembly pass the proposed Referendum Act that has generated quarrels between the native CPA partners or will it play delay-or-avoid tactics in the rush hour in which this bill has been tabled? This is the critical question that keeps the minds of many people focused to Khartoum these days.
Anyway, it is better late than never as it is said there is no hurry in Africa. Also it is understandable that many African countries are struggling to get out of perception or/and experience that Africa is a very good graveyard for best constitutions and agreements whose articles remains as ink on papers without honouring their implementation in time. The Sudan is best known for dishonoring some important deals but we hope this time, with the obligatory referendum exercise, this bad attitude could be avoided. There was no way for the unfaithful partners (SPLM and NCP) to deny publicly what they have agreed to in the CPA and the Sudan Interim Constitution. Otherwise the people, especially Southerners who are most concerned about their referendum and the international community who have pushed for the realization of the CPA and witnessed its signing, would have considered these partners as liars and untrustworthy to lead the country any more (whether in the North or the South).
Now the Southern Sudan Referendum Act has been inked on the paper, would it be honoured for it to see the bright light of its dawns; be it independence of South Sudan or continuity of unity with the unjust North!!!Would the referendum be a priority to the current contradictory SPLM leadership or they will continue to look after other confusions in the pretext of democratic transformation in the fragile country that they are dreaming to re-named “New Sudan” in accordance with the vision of late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, and as surrogated by his trained errand boys who are zigzagging the SPLM and SPLA and claiming it as their personal properties under the incompetent leadership of Salva Kiir Mayardit who thinks that he could oppress any political party or community in the South in the name of liberation credit?
I doubt whether it is yet uhuru (liberation) under the current situation in the South!!! And I doubt whether the South would be born as a non-failed state under Kiir’s leadership that is incapable of improvement with all the suitable opportunities availed since 2005. I prefer that new leadership comes in so that it could take the South safely to the promised destiny!!! May God hear my sincere prayers for better change in the South after 2010 elections?
Dr. James Okuk is a concerned citizen of South Sudan and he can be reached at: [email protected]