Kids on Cart

I suspect the most abused creature in Malakal is the Donkey. Hitched up to trailers carrying water, branches, reeds or other cargo, there are hundreds of these strong animals in this city. To drive a vehicle we have to be licensed but there is possibly more danger on our roads from the hazards created by the donkey carts, often whipped along by boys as young as ten, than by motorised vehicles.

Elections are scheduled in Sudan for the week beginning April 11^th. People sometimes refer to the advantage enjoyed by the first-listed candidates on the ballot papers because they receive ‘the donkey votes’, the votes by unthinking people who simply vote down the page. They vote because they are compelled, in Australia, to vote, not because they have a preference to express. In this instance it is the donkey whose acumen is under question when the term ‘donkey vote’ is used. 

Some people are reputed to have sold their voter registration – worse than donkey voting! In theory, elections are a step forward in the democratic process. In practice, it appears unlikely the elections will be free and fair.

The elections may bring violence. Elections produce winners and losers. The real question is how will the candidates react after the election is over? There are ten candidates for the position of Governor of this Upper Nile State. So after the election, one will be happy and nine less than happy! 

Now there is a shortage of diesel in Malakal. We have had virtually no town power the past four nights – no diesel fuel to run the town generators. So far we have managed to get enough fuel, at an inflated price, to run our own generator for limited periods but the service stations have been closed. One re-opened yesterday and Sr Margaret, God bless her, sat in a queue for two hours to refuel our vehicle. At present a donkey-drawn cart could be an attractive proposition if I could dangle the proverbial carrot in front of the donkey’s nose rather than resort to whipping!

The January 2011 referendum on a unified Sudan, or secession by the south, seems to me to be not much of a choice. My sympathy is with the welfare of the poor people of Southern Sudan who have suffered for centuries from violence, slave trading and all kinds of oppression. President of the south, Salva Kir, caused concern in the north when he pointedly said to his southern constituency: ‘Do you want be second class citizens in your own country?’  

The south itself, however, has no unity other than fractured opposition to the north. Secession would very probably lead to more inter-tribal violence and, maybe, anarchy. While the south has some independence at present, the north does impose some order and there is very evident development. The standard of living and infrastructure in Southern Sudan is improving. So I don’t think the referendum offers much of a choice. The south is not ready to be an independent nation – and yet, I don’t want the people of the south to lose their right to be first class citizens.  

What is needed in both the north and south is greater respect for the differing viewpoints of others and a more profound respect for human freedom. North and south is an arbitrary division. Why can’t there be one people of Sudan with respect for different ethnicities and religious convictions?

I look forward to a Sudan where the people of Sudan, no matter wherever borders are drawn, give greater recognition to the intrinsic dignity of every person and where we do not classify anyone as inferior, be they Muslim or Christian, northern or southern, Dinka or Nuer, male or female, rich or poor. That is my hope and that is why we, in Solidarity with Southern Sudan, are here.            

Br Bill