Friday, July 30, 2004
[389] Of Sudan and the United Nations
[389] Of Sudan and the United Nations
It is incredibly slow how the world community is reacting against the alleged genocide in Sudan. Yesterday, the United Nations Security Council merely passed a resolution threatening economic and diplomatic sanction against Sudan. That is probably a progress but nevertheless, it is a frustratingly slow development. The Sudanese government on the other hand has rejected the resolution swiftly.
Whether it is genocide or not, people are dying as the moments pass. I believe the United Nations should send a size of credible peacekeeping force to make sure Sudan would disarm the government-backed militias that are currently displacing many. Enough rhetoric; now it is time to act.
What I am more disappointed in is the Islamic community, especially the OIC which is currently led by Malaysia. An uproar was heard when the Muslims were the one on the other side of the gun. However, when one of them is holding the trigger, they stay quiet and act as if nothing big is happening.
This is absolutely true when I was attending the Friday prayer at the local mosque probably three weeks ago. After the prayer, somebody went up and announced a few minor things. But one of the not so minor issues was Sudan. He claimed that the media is manipulating the issue, depicting the Muslims as the aggressors. He went further but claming in actuality, it is the Muslims that are being oppressed.
Clearly in Sudan, it is the Muslims that are committing the atrocity, not the other way round. I who was sitting in the mosque hearing the announcement was utterly shocked. I stood immediately after that and left, disgusted by the hypocrisy shown by probably a prominent local Muslim figure.
The African Union (AU) had promised to send in some sort of force into Sudan but so far, nothing has happened yet. The AU said they have to delay the deployment due to logistic problem.
The Arab League offered help earlier but was refused by Sudan. Even if the Arab League was accepted by Sudan, I doubt it would do any good. The Arab League is useless because they cannot even solve their own problem and thus, there is no strong reason to see how the League would be of any help. In the end, it is only the United Nations that could help. The excessive red tape does not help however.
In the resolution, the UN gives Sudan 30 days to comply with the UN demands. I hope during those 30 days, Sudan will comply. I however do not feel Sudan will comply and if this if true, I hope those 30 days will end fast and thus, allowing tougher stances to be developed.
Whether it is genocide or not, people are dying as the moments pass. I believe the United Nations should send a size of credible peacekeeping force to make sure Sudan would disarm the government-backed militias that are currently displacing many. Enough rhetoric; now it is time to act.
What I am more disappointed in is the Islamic community, especially the OIC which is currently led by Malaysia. An uproar was heard when the Muslims were the one on the other side of the gun. However, when one of them is holding the trigger, they stay quiet and act as if nothing big is happening.
This is absolutely true when I was attending the Friday prayer at the local mosque probably three weeks ago. After the prayer, somebody went up and announced a few minor things. But one of the not so minor issues was Sudan. He claimed that the media is manipulating the issue, depicting the Muslims as the aggressors. He went further but claming in actuality, it is the Muslims that are being oppressed.
Clearly in Sudan, it is the Muslims that are committing the atrocity, not the other way round. I who was sitting in the mosque hearing the announcement was utterly shocked. I stood immediately after that and left, disgusted by the hypocrisy shown by probably a prominent local Muslim figure.
The African Union (AU) had promised to send in some sort of force into Sudan but so far, nothing has happened yet. The AU said they have to delay the deployment due to logistic problem.
The Arab League offered help earlier but was refused by Sudan. Even if the Arab League was accepted by Sudan, I doubt it would do any good. The Arab League is useless because they cannot even solve their own problem and thus, there is no strong reason to see how the League would be of any help. In the end, it is only the United Nations that could help. The excessive red tape does not help however.
In the resolution, the UN gives Sudan 30 days to comply with the UN demands. I hope during those 30 days, Sudan will comply. I however do not feel Sudan will comply and if this if true, I hope those 30 days will end fast and thus, allowing tougher stances to be developed.
