No surprise there. And it’s also no surprise that most Southern Sudanese are pro-US. Precisely because of things like this:
January 28, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — The US administration today affirmed its commitment to helping Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) transform into a modernized army.
Of course, many up North don’t like the idea but few know the following:
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the civil war in Sudan provides for two armies in the North and the South with joint units in certain areas such as oil fields.
The Sudanese government at the time refused to fund the Southern army from the federal budget so a compromise was reached that will allow the South to receive military assistance from abroad.
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Is there a map somewhere that would show the border between northern and southern Sudan as discussed?
I am wondering whether the southern state, if it becomes independent, would have access to the Red Sea. It doesn’t look like there would be such a corridor.
How would the south do trade? I suppose Kenya will be a good connection. Afaik Kenya enjoys excellent relations with all western countries and Israel.
I am looking forward to the day an Israeli ship arrives in a Sudanese harbour being happily greeted by the locals. If the south had a harbour, I suppose that could happen.
Awww. How nice…
@Andrew
ReliefWeb maps might have what you’re looking for.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/doc404?OpenForm&rc=1&cc=sdn
Hi Andrew,
The first liberation war waged by southern Sudanese received considerable support received considerable support from the Israelis (http://www.newsudanvision.com/opinion/book-review-sudan-odyssey-through-state-ruin-hope-lt-gen-retd-joseph-lagu-693).
My father’s uncle, a rusty old man who I saw as a kid, used to regale us with tales of his exploits as a guerilla fighter. In fact, he was a sort of a hero in my dad’s village because he blew up a government truck using a bazooka. I first heard the word Uzi from him.
The religious dimension of the war also helped to generate a lot of sympathy and support for Israel in the world. After all, most southern Sudanese would tell you that it was only the Sudanese government they were fighting, but the whole Arab World. My relatives cheered loudly when Saddam was whooped in the first Gulf War because they said he gives arms to the Sudan government to kill southern Sudanese.
Also the south’s Judeo Christian heritage of course had a lot of sympathies for Israel. I had an aunt, a devout Christian woman, a product of a Christian revival movement that started in Rwanda in the ’20s and spread to south Sudan, whose only dream in life was to visit the holy land.
Suffice to say, there is very little literature about the Israeli involvement in south Sudan in the ’60s. I am sure if anyone cares to check Israeli archives, one would find something substancial. I thought I should share with you this perspective.
About trade,
About trade, the port of Mombasa in Kenya would certainly serve as a conduit. However, I always argue with my south Sudanese friends who are adamantly opposed to the idea of any links with the north, that it is stupid to think so in the event the south secedes. The north should be our closest trade partner in my opinion. Why?
Despite the many differences the south has with the north, there are still certain things that unite us. eg. Language and familiarity of dealing with each other. Here’s that link again:
http://www.newsudanvision.com/opinion/book-review-sudan-odyssey-through-state-ruin-hope-lt-gen-retd-joseph-lagu-693
Asma Ana, regarding Israel’s support for the South, yeah, spot on. It was used to brainwash the youngsters back then to go fight in the supposed “jihad” against the “Southern kuffar”.
“They’re backed by the evil Joooooooz. This is a Joooooooooowish conspiracy!”
Asma Ana,
That is great!
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