By: Tarig Anter

Tarig Anter — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:11:56 +0000

All the Sudan is living now the aftermath of two centuries of intensive and wide spread atrocities of slavery. The old conventional forms of slavery had died out; but now new forms and practices of exploitation, violence and deception were reinvented and emerging. No sector of the Sudanese population or state institutions were not corrupted by slavery. And the post-slavery practices and “Mafia” did not save any of them. The range of victims extends from the status of children, women and manual laborer to political parties, the Judiciary and businesses.
Post-slavery practices and mentality degenerate and block the aspirations and endeavors of state building and nation building since they took over power in 1956 and it consolidated elite illegitimate privileges and powers while createing underdevelopment and poverty nation wide.
In fact, the roots of the various violent problems in the Sudan lay in the control of the post-slavery advantaged elite and heirs over the economy; society and politics creating a state within a state. Some reasons of rebellion have sprout while others are still growing.
All civic organizations and political parties have to enhance practical moves towards truth; reconciliation and affirmative actions. One of the most essential elements in facilitating socio-economic and political participation on equal footings in order to achieve democratic transition to good governance is to bring the recent history of slavery into the lime light. Both the poor victims and the influential post-slavery elite and heirs are suffering under the burden of immoral legacy.
Slavery and post-slavery have always sought support, protection and legitimacy from extreme Islam; corrupt Sufism and fanatic Arab pan-nationalism. All the Sudanese ethnic groups had participated and also fell victims of slavery and post-slavery with different degrees and forms of involvement. Contrary to what happened in most parts of the World, the post-slavery elite in the Sudan is trying to fight instead of showing willingness to pay the dividends of sincerer democracy and prosperous peace.
Recovery from post-slavery in all of its forms is a prerequisite for real and wide social and political participation for democratic transition. The current limited margin of freedom must be cultivated, protected and developed.

Comments on: Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir’s Record Speaks for Itself

By: Tarig Anter