Interview: Uncertainty in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan State

In 2005, a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ended a 21 year civil war pitting Sudan’s Arab Muslim-dominated northern government against the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed by Black African peoples from the country’s largely Christian South.

The two rival sides agreed to share power for a six year lasting transition period, with national elections in 2010 and a 2011 referendum in which the SPLM-governed South will decide whether to secede into a separate country or remain part of a united Sudan.

Between the North and the South lie three disputed territories – Southern Kordofan, Abyei and Southern Blue Nile. The three areas are governed jointly by President Omar al-Bashir’s National Congress Party (NCP) and the SPLM.

In October 2008, the International Crisis Group described Southern Kordofan State as “the next Darfur” The report cited political tensions between the NCP and SPLM, failure of integration between the two sides, skewed resource distribution, arming of militias, recurring violence, disappointment among the Nuba people and criticism of the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

One year on, Newsfromafrica’s PHILIP EMASE visited the Nuba Mountains region of the State, where he interviewed YOUNAN AL BAROUT, the chairman of the SPLM in RashadCounty.

How is the voter registration process going on in the Nuba Mountains?

The voter registration process has faced a lot of challenges in terms of transport, budget, and the limited time allocated for the exercise. We needed about two months for the exercise.

Nationally, the process began on November 1, but here in the Nuba Mountains it started four days late because of poor coordination from the National Elections Commission.

First there was a delay in the formation of a local committee to oversee the process. Then the National Congress Party (NCP) formed a team with members exclusively from their own side, without including the SPLM. We discussed the issue at State level, and by the time we were included, we had already lost four days, so the registration began on November 5 and ends on December 7.

How is the power sharing between the NCP and the SPLM in Southern Kordofan?

Quite frankly, there is no real power sharing here. There is a joint State government, but in reality the administration of government and SPLM-controlled areas is still separate. In the CPA, the two sides were supposed to be integrated, but four years have now passed without the integration being achieved.

For example, our SPLM personnel were supposed to be absorbed into the civil service and start receiving government salaries. As we speak today these people are still working as volunteers. We do not have allowances to give them, but what keeps them going is their commitment to continue fighting for the ideals we fought for during the war – freedom, our rights and democracy. They are still volunteering because they are aware that we will not achieve these things easily.

Now we are approaching the 2010 national elections. In 2011 the South Sudan referendum will be held, and it will be too late for integration in South Kordofan.

Is the government at least providing social amenities like schools, health services and roads?

Well, there are budgets for these amenities, for education, health and so on, but these development activities exclude the SPLM –controlled areas. If you go to government controlled areas like Kadugli, Abu Jubeiha, Lagawa, Dilling and Muglad, you will clearly see efforts being made in terms of building roads, health units and Arabic-curriculum schools.

In the SPLM-controlled areas we depend completely on foreign donors for even the most basic social services.

What do you think is the future of the NubaMountains and the entire Southern Kordofan State after South Sudan’s self-determination referendum?

As it is now, we have been left as orphans, belonging neither to the South nor to the North. But it is our right to determine our own future. Politically we are with the SPLM. According to the CPA we will decide our future through popular consultations in the State assembly.

But one thing is clear – nobody is imagining the possibility of remaining in the North. We were marginalized for many decades under the authority of Khartoum. Even now they are not giving us the social services we need. That is why we joined the SPLM struggle.

You said the region is politically aligned with the SPLM, but don’t you think it is also quite possible that you could remain in the North?

We fought these people, we killed them and they killed us. How will we join them? It is hard for you to join someone who was your enemy, is your enemy and will remain your enemy!

The main problem is that they are keen on imposing Arabization on the Nuba. We are not Arabs, we are Africans, the pure Africans of the Sudan. Imposing (Islamic) Shariah law on us by force will never work. We have our own culture and traditions, and in any case we are diverse groups within the Nuba nation. Forced rule under Shariah law infringes on our rights and identities.

Did the disarmament of civilians occur as stipulated in the peace agreements?

No, it is impossible to disarm people without guaranteeing peace. In the Nuba Mountains the so-called peace is only on paper. Just this week, we received reports of people being killed, over several days, in clashes between nomadic Arab and Nuba tribes.

Finally Mr Al Barout, what do you think of the fact that your State Governor, Ahmed Haroun, is one of the Sudanese leaders indicted by the International Criminal Court  over the Darfur conflict?

Haroun is a suspected war criminal. He is not above the law, and should face justice since he has been accused. If he is found innocent, well and good, he can return to participate in governance. You see, the sanctions resulting from the suspected criminal records of leaders like Haroun affect the entire Sudan. They should face justice. Even President Bashir should face justice.

Do you have any reservations about being quoted on that?

No!