Issue No. 599
Editorial
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15 - 21 August 2002 Issue No. 599 Editorial |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Recommend this page | ||
Separatist dilemma
The signing of an agreement between the government in Khartoum and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) that includes the possibility of secession for the south poses a serious challenge for Egypt, which has always viewed maintaining Sudan's territorial integrity as a cornerstone of its own national security. Allowing the creation of a separate state in the south, along religious and tribal lines, represents a dangerous precedent for several other African countries made up of a mosaic of tribes and religions.
Recent statements made by Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher and other senior officials suggest the government is readying itself to meet the challenge, and is unlikely to remain satisfied with issuing carefully worded statements on the importance attached to relations with Sudan.
The agreement between the Sudanese government and SPLM reached in Machakos, Kenya, in late July, offers a referendum on secession after six years. According to Sudanese and SPLM representatives the six-year delay offers an opportunity to assess the relative benefits of unity or secession.
Egypt's position, as outlined by Maher, is that Cairo should work towards helping the Sudanese people maintain unity during the coming six years. This objective requires coordination with Arab, African and other countries involved in Sudan. A special fund already exists under the umbrella of the Arab League aimed at helping Sudan pursue development projects in both the north and the south. Unfortunately, the fund has done little beyond renew its existence on paper.
The recent history of referendums on self- determination suggest that voters, angered by past injustices at the hands of the dominant power, usually opt for separation. And the challenge facing Egypt and other countries concerned with the situation in Sudan is to try to offer a different model.
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