The
United States delegation at the United Nations circulated a draft resolution
this week to work out a possible, targeted sanctions against South Sudanese
personalities seen to be impeding the peace process being mediated by IGAD in
Ethiopia.
This
is a good step since previous warnings were mere lips-service meant to show us
that something would be done. We still know that countries like China and
Russia will oppose any possible sanctions against South Sudan given the way they
present themselves as natural opponents of US’s indiscriminate wielding of
power. While this resolution has a long way to go, it’s a needed step in the
right direction because South Sudanese leaders have shown during this 10-month
long war that they only care about power.
However,
the most appalling thing is South Sudanese government’s response to the threats
of sanctions. Dr. Marial Benjamin, the foreign affairs minister, argues that
any sanctions would negatively affect the peace talks. What these leaders need
to understand is that these sanctions aren’t going to be aimed at the whole
nation to cripple whatever economic breathing space is left. These sanctions
are merely targeted sanctions aimed at forcing naughty officials, both in the
government and in opposition, to get their heads straight and start thinking
about their people.
No
right-minded leader in any part of the world would impose economic sanctions on
a country that’s teetering at the edge of famine. The sanctions will only be
aimed at obstructers of the peace and at a possible ‘Arms Embargo’ in order to
prevent the continued on-and-off war in the country.
I
don’t know how the minister thinks these targeted sanctions would negatively
affect the peace process. If the parties renege on their promises or refuse to
negotiate because some of their officials have been sanctioned then such action
would actually give impetus and authentic ground for the imposition of
sanctions. These sanctions would not be imposed because United Nations Security
Council fancies sanctions. The sanctions are a function of the intransient and
insensitive attitude of South Sudanese leaders; leaders who see little
rationale in alleviating the suffering of their own people.
Unless
the minister believes the government is obstructing the peace process, I
believe there’s nothing he should be worried about. The government made very
reasonable concessions, however, it’s the final result that counts. If these
concessions don’t bring peace to ease the suffering in the country then a lot
needs to be done.
It’s
common knowledge that the rebels want to indirectly negotiate their way to
power. That’s a reasonable concern; however, the two parties are locked in a
meaningless power quest that leaves none of the parties blameless. Even more
painful concessions need to be made to avoid the imposition of these sanctions.
President
Kiir, being the head of the government, needs to take charge of the talks and
stop giving us an impression that he’s incapable of bringing peace to South
Sudan. In his recent interview with Qatar-based Aljazeera TV, the president
sounded very pessimistic, helpless and unpresidential. He sounded like a
clueless fellow just handed power and has no idea what to do with it.
The
president should be the voice of the people. He should be positive and come up
with innovative strategies to bring peace to the country. The pessimism the
president portrayed reflects so much what’s wrong with South Sudan. He
should stop asking people to go an ask Riek Machar about the peace talks. Riek
isn’t the president of South Sudan. We’d expect more from the president of the
country.
I
therefore believe that these sanctions are warranted to accelerate the signing
of the peace agreement. If South Sudanese leaders don’t want sanctions then
peace is the only way out.
