Congressman Ed Royce: “The Sudanese have suffered enough”
Congressman Ed Royce from the 40th district in California.
I am glad to see our very own Congressman Ed Royce convey his thoughts about the upcoming Referendum in Sudan. Below are a few short excerpts.
Even a successful vote next week is just the beginning of a dangerous, tricky transition. Two sides: Africa and Arabia, differing cultures, races and religions –the north looks at southerners with contempt and worse. They’ll have six months to work out many contentious issues like security, borders, water, citizenship, etc. Plus, the north has failed to honor almost any commitment. Bashir has ruled for two decades because he’s ruthless, not a peacemaker. Relinquishing Sudanese territory isn’t a legacy he’s eager for.
The biggest challenge is oil. Most reserves are in the south, but must be transported north for refining and exporting. Some say this creates “mutual reliance.” Others, dare I say “realists,” see a recipe for more conflict. Most problematic is the oil-rich town of Abyei, straddling north and south. It was to hold a vote on where its loyalties lie, but that’s delayed. Bashir lets the south have the majority of the oil? Doubtful.
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Less grasped, the vote creates a new state in the north. Bashir will play up its Muslim identity, implementing sharia and getting closer to Libya, Egypt and others. As the former sanctuary of Osama bin Laden, it’s not hard to see Khartoum becoming a live terrorist threat.
So we better look beyond next week’s photos of jubilant Sudanese voters. I’ll be absolutely thrilled to be wrong. Sudanese have suffered enough. But this ride could get rough. Best be ready.
The Sudanese certainly have suffered enough. Thank you Congressman Royce. All of us here in Orange County are grateful for your steadfast support.
Anshul Mittal
Orange County for Darfur, a project of Living Ubuntu
http://ocfordarfur.org
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