…For now. I just got off the phone with a well informed friend in Sudan. He says things are calming down now in Khartoum. There were a few isolated killings here and there after Mohamed Taha’s beheading but nothing that major. The so called “investigation” into Mohamed Taha’s murder is still going. The hilarious part as I’ve said previously is that the investigators are not ruling out the possibility of “Western hands”. The price increases continue but people are too scared to riot now and they’ve accepted the reality already. This is the situation for now in Khartoum. Just remember that if the UN steps into Darfur without consent, things would turn upside down very quickly. Sigh!
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Drima,
I know it’s been ages since I’ve posted a comment, but I read you almost every day - just so you know
One thing about this post:
“a few isolated killings here and there … but nothing that major”.
I realize that what you mean is that at least they’re not in a full-scale war, but, with all due respect, there’s nothing minor about a killing, especially if you happen to be the victim (and the victim’s family). Part of the problem in Sudan, which you have accurately described in many places in this blog, is that the international attitude seems to be that Sudanese lives are expendible. In my humble opinion, as an outsider looking in, calling a “few isolated killings” “nothing major” is tantamount to saying that yes, indeed, those lives are expendible.
Now, I know that’s not what you’re saying, because I’ve been reading your blog and I know your views, but the comment, being made by your friend in Khartoum, probably reflects a view that exists there, and that says “well, this is the minor price we have to pay”. It seems to me that you don’t, in fact, have to accept payment of that price; and that in any event, it is not minor. Apart from anything else, if you, and other Sudanese people, accept that “isolated killings” are not “major”, then how can you expect the rest of the world to view them as anything else?
If the international approach to Sudan is to change, then the Sudanese people’s attitude towards itself must change as well, and probably first.
Anyway, not trying to lecture you. I know that it’s not your view that these victims of isolated killings are in any way trivial. I’m just trying to point out one message that seems to come out of what was probably an off-hand remark.
Ramadan Kareem
Hey NC, it’s been a while. I thought you disappeared… Good to know you’re still around
You make a really good observation. I should probably update the post so that new readers won’t misunderstand me.
““a few isolated killings here and there … but nothing that major”.I realize that what you mean is that at least they’re not in a full-scale war”
Yes, that’s what I meant.
“there’s nothing minor about a killing, especially if you happen to be the victim (and the victim’s family)”
I certainly agree. I’ve known first hand the feeling since relatives of mine have been killed during the time I was in Sudan when the civil war was still going on and political oppression was at its peak. I still remember those dark days.
“but the comment, being made by your friend in Khartoum, probably reflects a view that exists there”
You’re right when you say that in Sudan, to a certain extent a bad attitude towards people dying does certainly exist. Truth be told, a considerable number of people couldn’t be that much bothered about what’s going on in Darfur because they themselves are struggling to survive and make ends meet. Others enraged about Darfur keep silent since there’s no other choice really. Some pretend to be engraged but don’t really care that much eg. Turabi’s oppostion party. They’re just trying to leverage the situation politically.
Hope you had a great Rosh Hashanah.
Peace mate!
Bless you for your concern for Darfur.
The question that is being debated everywhere - invasion or persuasion- I respectfully submit is a distraction from the otherwise obvous and only moral question: How do we raise and manifest so much international will to stop the Genocide that it STOPS NOW? Join us
Several of us have decided to begin a RESCUE DARFUR FAST. One of us began 5 days ago, and several others today. Links below for the details.
Nothing less than a worldwide fast-until-the-genocide-stops will be enough to stop it.
Nothing less will be a sufficient moral response.
Nothing less will preserve our humanity, yours and mine.
Please consider linking (below) to increase the visibility of this effort.
Jay McGinley jymcginley@cs.com
Day 134 Darfur Vigil at White House; Day 68 Rescue Darfur Fast (since July 4, 2006)
DARFUR Dying for Heroes (you would find this a helpful resource)
Stand With Darfur-White House II
Please consider linking here to increase the visibility of this effort.
http://darfurdyingforheroes.blogspot.com
http://darfurdyingforheroes.blogspot.com/2007/09/join-rescue-darfur-fast-till-it-stops.html
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