The conflict in Darfur has given me much to think about. Not because of the unspeakable horrors being committed against innocent civilians but more about why "the West" and its media has suddenly just stumbled upon this conflict?
The Civil War in Sudan between the Government and the Sudan Peoples's Liberation Army (SPLA) was, before the ceasefire, one of the longest running conflicts in the world. Yet despite this knowledge of the conflict was confined to a minority or those with a specialist interest in current affairs. So what has triggered this sudden interest in Africa's largest nation (by area).
The answer unfortunately is Oil. Sudan has lots of it, enough to satisfy the thirst of the West and emerging giants like China and India.
The discovery of Oil is usually followed by lucrative tenders which traditionally have gone to western oil companies. However this time round companies from the developing world like China, India and Malaysia have been able to flex their muscles and win these contracts which has no doubt irked the traditional oil companies and Governments in the West particularly the energy hungry US.
However to oppose the awarding of contracts to non western companies is unlikely to generate sympathy amongst the general public in the west, many of whom despise the Oil industry's bumper profits. In this situation it becomes easier to exploit peoples' humanity by giving much needed attention to the civil conflict in Sudan.
Major media corporations who have long stayed quiet on the issue of Darfur now start to blare out images of torture, famine, and suffering to millions of viewers and readers. Governments which have long turned a blind eye to this impoverished region of Africa suddenly threaten sanctions if unless the Sudanese Governement takes action.
The questions that one should justifiably put to their Governments and media corporations are ;
The Civil War in Sudan between the Government and the Sudan Peoples's Liberation Army (SPLA) was, before the ceasefire, one of the longest running conflicts in the world. Yet despite this knowledge of the conflict was confined to a minority or those with a specialist interest in current affairs. So what has triggered this sudden interest in Africa's largest nation (by area).
The answer unfortunately is Oil. Sudan has lots of it, enough to satisfy the thirst of the West and emerging giants like China and India.
The discovery of Oil is usually followed by lucrative tenders which traditionally have gone to western oil companies. However this time round companies from the developing world like China, India and Malaysia have been able to flex their muscles and win these contracts which has no doubt irked the traditional oil companies and Governments in the West particularly the energy hungry US.
However to oppose the awarding of contracts to non western companies is unlikely to generate sympathy amongst the general public in the west, many of whom despise the Oil industry's bumper profits. In this situation it becomes easier to exploit peoples' humanity by giving much needed attention to the civil conflict in Sudan.
Major media corporations who have long stayed quiet on the issue of Darfur now start to blare out images of torture, famine, and suffering to millions of viewers and readers. Governments which have long turned a blind eye to this impoverished region of Africa suddenly threaten sanctions if unless the Sudanese Governement takes action.
The questions that one should justifiably put to their Governments and media corporations are ;
- Why have you just woken up to this fact?
- Why is it now such a high priority?
- Why were you sleeping whilst Sudan burned for over 20 years?
The conflicst has been presnted in various guises to western audiences, some misconceptions about the conflict include;
- This is an ethnic conflict between Arabs and Blacks - they are all Black as is the majority of Sudan
- This is between Muslims and Christians - they are all Muslim
- This is a sectarian conflict between different Muslim sects - they are all Sunni Muslim
The fact is this is a conflict with roots in the 60s and 70s and is between landowners and peasants, where the peasants have had to endure most, if not all, of the suffering.
In addition to the propaganda war the US Government has tried to take the moral high ground by criticising those companies/countries who have invested in Sudan's booming Oil industry in the face of such conflict.
It seems rich that lessons in ethical foreign policy are being prmoted by an administration that has supported and continues to support dicatatorial regimes to serve its own interests. Examples include Egypt, Uzbekistan, formerly Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko and uncritical support of Israel.
Constant US pressure and threats of sanctions can be viewed as frustration at the inability of US companies to tap into Sudan's oil resources.
There's no doubt that pressure should be applied to Sudan to stop the killing in Darfur. But before Governments in the West speak out against the abuse of human rights they themselves need to be sure that their conscience is clear and that they're not supporting regimes for the sake of commercial or strategic importance.
Unfortunately very few Governments, especially the US administration, can sleep with a clear conscience.
In addition to the propaganda war the US Government has tried to take the moral high ground by criticising those companies/countries who have invested in Sudan's booming Oil industry in the face of such conflict.
It seems rich that lessons in ethical foreign policy are being prmoted by an administration that has supported and continues to support dicatatorial regimes to serve its own interests. Examples include Egypt, Uzbekistan, formerly Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko and uncritical support of Israel.
Constant US pressure and threats of sanctions can be viewed as frustration at the inability of US companies to tap into Sudan's oil resources.
There's no doubt that pressure should be applied to Sudan to stop the killing in Darfur. But before Governments in the West speak out against the abuse of human rights they themselves need to be sure that their conscience is clear and that they're not supporting regimes for the sake of commercial or strategic importance.
Unfortunately very few Governments, especially the US administration, can sleep with a clear conscience.
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