São Paulo – The proclamation of independence of Southern Sudan has been scheduled for Saturday (09). Those who accompanied the civil war in the country and the peace process that began in 2005 believe that Southern Sudan may work out if it seeks to solve its challenges politically, not through war. The task is not easy. The South has tribes that challenge the government and suffers with lack of infrastructure, but inherits oil reserves from the North, land that may be farmed and a large volume of heads of cattle, goats and sheep.
The ambassador of Brazil to Khartoum, Antonio Carlos do Nascimento Pedro, said that both countries are optimistic regarding the division, although there are differences that must be negotiated. “There are talks about cities, natural resources and agreements in other areas. In the South there is a spirit of optimism, it is a country that needs to be boosted and supported, but there is a very positive sentiment. The same may be said about the North. The process is on the right track,” he said.
He points out, however, that there are complex issues yet to be solved, like the situation of Abyei region, which is rich in oil and is disputed by both nations. “The question of oil is very important for the North and South. Most of the known resources are in the South, but the structure for transportation, refining and export is in the North. There cannot be a rupture, as both countries would lose. They are discussing the matter, but it is very complex,” he said. The South would be landlocked. A referendum will be promoted so that residents in Abyei may choose whether they want to remain in Northern Sudan or Southern Sudan.
A Brazilian businessman who has been operating in the region for nine years, Paulo Hegg returned from Sudan on the 4th, after three weeks in the country. And he states: “It is all very peaceful. The nationals are imbued with a feeling of positive nationalism and are proud to become independent.” Hegg is associated to Pinesso Group, from Mato Grosso, and is cultivating 80,000 hectares of cotton, maize and soy in Blue Nile state, in the north of the country. He does not believe that the separation between North and South will affect his business.
Despite being optimistic, Hegg will wait a few months before deciding on new investment in the South. “I want to see what the formation of the new government will be like, who the new ministers will be, how this process will take place,” said the businessman, who should return to Sudan in September.
Invasions and ethnic, religious, economic and political motives have been causing wars in the region in which Sudan is currently located since the VII Century AD, during the Islamic expansion. Since then, conflicts have resulted in over 2 million dead and 4 million refugees: the North of the country is Arab and Muslim, and the Southern part, Christian. The several ethnic groups in the South have lived in peace for short periods of time. The differences between them increased when British colonizers occupied the country and fostered the development of the North, against the South. When the country became independent, in 1956, it went into civil war.
The division of Sudan into two countries began in 2002, along with cease-fire talks between the government and rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). The civil war only ended in 2005. The broad peace agreement forecasted that the residents of the South would choose, in a referendum, whether they would like to separate themselves from the North. In January, they decided for the separation.
However, conflicts continue. A report disclosed on Thursday (7) by the United Nations (UN) shows that conflict has recently been growing in Pibor region, in the South. According to the study, 2,368 people have died in the country from the beginning of the year to June, due to violent conflicts. Of these people, 500 in the latter 15 days of last month.
The ambassador of Sudan to Brazilian capital Brasília, Abd Elghani Elnaim Awad Elkarim, said that it was the search for peace that caused the separation between Northern and Southern Sudan. “We hope that the South may remain in peace and prosper as a nation.”
Brazil played an important part in the process. “We are considered their partners, as we have very strong South-South relations (between developing nations). And we also had great Black and Arab influence in our consolidation. Therefore, dialogue with them is very easy. In the economic point of view, we have great experience in agriculture and it is an important route for their development. The Sudanese want that,” said Pedro. To the ambassador of Sudan in Brasília, in turn, Brazil is an “example” among developing nations and, for this reason, may help Southern Sudan grow.
According to the Brazilian Foreign Office (Itamaraty), Brazil has been participating in peace talks in Sudan since the end of the civil war. Now, the country should be one of the first nations to recognise the new country and to establish diplomatic ties with it. The Foreign Ministry should have a non-resident ambassador to Southern Sudan.
The Brazilian ambassador to Khartoum believes that, if peace is maintained, the two neighbours may follow a route to prosperity. “With peace between both sides, the South should grow fast, as they have fertile resources. The North should also develop as it has better structure. With peace they can only win, but we cannot forecast possible hitches in the route,” said Pedro.
*Translated by Mark Ament
