Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Sudan News Update: Motives and Impact of Higleg Attack

Motives and Impact of Higleg Attack

Ibrahim Al-Jack

The opinions of the strategic and military experts polled by Sudan Vision were in harmony regarding the goal of the attack on Higleg where the army of the South was forcibly deterred. It suffered from huge losses in equipment and lives. The experts explained that the attack was meant to undermine the Sudanese oil industry infrastructure in an effort to destabilize the Sudanese economy. The failed attempt was made after it became starkly clear that the Sudanese government was in no way going to accept the unreasonable transfer charge of 70 cents a barrel, a charge rate that was turned down by the Sudanese government because it does not cover transportation costs, leave alone other benefits.

They clarified that the plan of the government of the South was to advance northwards to occupy more northern lands with the help of rebellious Revolutionary Front to force the government to offer more concessions in the issue disputed areas.

The experts called for more alertness and vigilance in expectation of any more attacks on the bordering areas and disputed ones.

Three Plots:

Dr. Hassan Alsaori professor of Political Science in Alnileen University thinks that the first plan was that the government of the South –supported by the forces of the revolutionary front- wanted to take measure of military strength by attacking Higleig. And if they were not deterred by the Sudanese Armed forces, their plan was to advance northwards occupying more lands in the process, including Abyei, Um dafoog, and Hufrat Alnahas.

The second plot was to gauge the local and international reactions and see if they approve of their foray. And if they were, they would have proceeded with their plan trying to oust the regime in Khartoum with the help of the Revolutionary Front.

The third plot –says Alsaori- was to undermine the economic structure to tip the situation into crisis edge causing the people of Sudan to demand the removal of the regime.

Strategic differences:

The military expert, General Mohammed Alabbas clarified that the countries have strategic differences that caused the absence of future perspectives. He said that the disagreement around the issue of oil transportation caused the crisis between them.

He added that the war between the countries is a war of depletion and exhaustion, and that the government of the South does not want Sudan to exploit its oil so that Sudan will reach the Southern economy's fragile state.

He demanded that we change the way we perceive the South as new born country, and formulate crisis plans to confront its every new action.

A war of particular purposes:

Brigadier Hassan Biomi, a security expert, sees that the attack on Higleg was performed by a group inside the ruling SPLM in the South whose agendas are against truce and living in peace with neighboring Sudan, a country that agreed to the separation of the South. He explained that the losses and risks associated with this attack were not properly calculated by South Sudan. He considered that the regime currently ruling the South is undergoing a phase of political adolescence and that is why they act against their country's and people's best interests, interests that dictate peaceful co-existence with Sudan. Their behavior also reveals their ignorance regarding the laws controlling relations between countries.

Brigadier Biomi also added that the army of the South did not withdraw from Heglig, it was forcibly driven out by the strong attack of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

He clarified that the lesson learned from this attack is to reinforce security around strategic areas to prevent similar attacks, in addition to taking precautionary measures to prevent attacks on disputed areas.

Biomi confirmed that there are no benefits now in negotiations with the South, not until after the liberation of all the areas where there is fighting, a time at which the government of the South would have no leverage based on bargaining with the disputed areas like before.

The government of the South lost international and regional support:

Sidig Tawer, Lecturer in Alnileen University, explained that South Sudan has lost its international and regional support -support that was available in the past- since by attacking a completely sovereign country, one that's a member of the United Nations, it became an aggressor according to the regulations of international law. He confirmed that the attack proves that the cabinet of South government suffers from lack of strategic vision, a government that proved to be hostile to the entire Sudanese people.

Regionally, Africans were hoping the longest war in the continent has finally been terminated by the separation of the South and forming an independent country, South Sudan has proved to be the bad example in an operation blessed by the world to end the war.

Also, to the Arab countries, South Sudan has proved to be a racist country that seeks to embrace the Zionist plots to incite trouble in the Arab world.

Internationally, the president of the South refused to submit to the orders of the Secretary General of the United Nations to withdraw from Higleig, instead, Silva Kiir's response was disappointing and deprived South Sudan of UN sympathy, proving South Sudan to be a country that lacks the elements of state and lacks responsibility to coexist peacefully with its neighbors.

Tawer called for an opportunity to enable reasonable leaders in South Sudan and Sudan to avoid a comprehensive war from which the major sufferers are going to be the citizens. He also called for adapting the Sudanese media output to preserve the dignity and interests of the country.


AU Peace and Security Council Accepts Sudan's Conditions

Mohamed Abdullah

Khartoum – Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has accepted Sudan's conditions to resume negotiations with the Republic of South Sudan.

Foreign Minister, Ali Karti, said that the Council revealed a plan focusing on Sudan’s demand regarding giving top priority to security issues to resume talks.

Karti urged the African Union Peace and Security Council to affirm that South Sudan supports terrorism.

He affirmed that the African Union issued a clear condemnation against South Sudan, adding that Sudan's issue is not only liberating Heglig but also the compensation for the damages caused by the aggression.

He added that the second issue is the continued attacks of SPLA in Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile States; besides South Sudan hosting of the rebel movements.

Karti reiterated that Sudan will not enter into negotiations in any of the outstanding issues other than the security.

While addressing the Diplomatic Corp Women yesterday, Karti slammed South Sudan leaders for deporting 154 northern employees working in Petrodar in the South, adding that Southerners in the north are victims and not fighters.

Karti affirmed that the Sudanese diplomacy managed to block all SPLM’s designs.


X-Ray of the Backbone of Sudan.. When Life Imitates Art

Ahmed Saeed Ahmed

Tears of joy cascaded down his face while clutching an army officer who happened to be in his vicinity.

Pride was indelibly engraved on every single feature of her motherly entity and glowing face while kissing an army soldier on the head.

A child in full army attire was raising the Sudanese flag higher than any foreign plot, literally saying: '' The present has taught you –the enemies- an unforgettable lesson, but I –the child- am the future that promises even more deterrence, dignity, and honor.

Women, of all ages and from all walks of life, engulfed the scene, painting an unparalleled picture of support and unrivaled unity.

People swarmed into and around the general command of the army of the country in unequalled numbers and unmatched solidarity.

The army officers and soldiers were speechless, humble, and touched, yet strong, reliable, authoritative, and perpetually ready to do whatever it takes to defend their homeland.

The scene was by all means beyond words. One tattooed onto the calendar of national cohesion by a painter whose skill has before been, and still is, propping the national economy.

Identification Card:

The country: Sudan.

The man, woman, and child: The Sudanese people.

The painting: Whole in one, and one in whole.

The army: Armed Forces of Sudan (the backbone of the republic).

Time: An everlasting moment in Sudanese history, every moment in Sudanese history.

The painter: Higleig.

Brief Background: Sudan, a country reaching so far back into civilization it's no longer possible to distinguish between the two, has volunteered yet another canvas painted with strokes of dignity.

The army is an institution so rooted in traditions of patriotic service that it's not just an institution anymore, but rather an icon. It has proven to be more effective and efficient than what its job description requires, its job is to defend the country, but its spirit –it turned out- is unifying the domestic front as well.

Sudanese citizen

Declaration:

We hereby declare, and confirm an earlier, commitment to support the Sudanese Armed Forces, and maintain our allegiance to them.

For the pride they bestow on us is overwhelming, and the mission they take on 24/7/365 is beyond honor.

Signature:
The Sudanese People Date: Everyday.

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