ANALYSIS: BENEDICT TEMBO
THE various belligerents in the Sudan conflict have resolved to forget the past, heal its wounds and are now convinced that the problems of that country can only be resolved through dialogue.
President Marshall Omar Hassan Al-Bashir on October 10, 2016 in Khartoum convened political organisations, the armed movements and social forces with its components, segments and national figures where it was agreed that what makes Sudan stand out is its distinct unique cultural heritage and strategic location in Africa.
According to a communique released by the Embassy of Sudan in Lusaka, The parties to the national dialogue affirmed their commitment to undertake constructive, and frank and deep dialogue in which the greatness and dignity of the people of this country has been strongly confirmed despite the adamant hurdles that kept facing the process of the dialogue.
The Sudanese identity gained its distinct dimension from the multiple ethnicities and cultures fused to produce their current composition and mixture to give them unique entity.
The country’s typical figure, characteristics and idiosyncratic features are responsible for what the people are. The specificity of its geographical location is another dimension leading to cross-fertilisation of cultures, the fruit of which is their Sudanese culture with its diverse but distinctive ingredients.
Sudanese descended through successive centuries of history where different creative civilisations had come and gone.
The past different eras had formed the memory and legacy of the country and the successive heavenly religions have enriched it with all virtuous values that shaped the conscience and emotions of its people.
Therefore, in this exceptional context, citizenship becomes an emotional and a loyal sense of belonging to the homeland.
This, in its right, will reflect its norms, customs, values and cultural components. This, in turn, forms the solid underlying base on which equality in rights and fulfilling our duties are heavily established, and these further go beyond the limits of ethnic, tribal, regional and sectarian affiliations.
This widens the concept of national belonging and fully enriches the diverse cultural, social and political dimensions.
Every Sudanese citizen, by virtue of these values, should exercise every effort to highlight the glaring image of his/ her homeland internally and externally.
Acknowledgement and recognition of cultural diversity and social plurality of the components of the Sudanese people and values that eventually form the basis for its identity are of vital importance.
The Sudanese vow to sow, instil and construct the senses of identity while firmly strengthening their sublime meanings in the minds of the young people through upholding the values of citizenship.
On freedom, they affirm it is Allah’s gift, and to safeguard and disseminate to every citizen is a moral responsibility
The constitution reflects and expresses the people’s will. Religion must be practised without coercion.
They intend to maximise the value and prestige of the State of laws and the establishment of the values of justice and citizenship while renouncing chauvinism, bigotry and the narrow regional values in all their forms.
They are calling for adoption of the principles of transparency and corporate accounting and the rule of law and approval of Shura and democracy as an approach and a basis for governance through pluralism.
Sudanese want freedom of expression, assembly and movement, and participation in public life.
There is affirmation for national sovereignty, and protection of the supreme interests and loyalty to the state.
They have renounced all forms and manifestations of violence and commitment to the principle of dialogue to address all issues that affect the nation while promoting peace, cultural toleration and deepening emotional aspects which promote national reconciliation.
Sudanese want to build and reinforce the social fabric and consolidating peace and peaceful co-existence amongst themselves and protect the family and care for young persons through the realisation of security and social protection and safety.
They wish to enhance the state’s capacity to achieve comprehensive security and fortify society against crime, and establish the values of justice and equality among citizens in the context of the rule of law, while at the same time activating the role of indigenous and civil society and support initiatives.
ECONOMY
They want adoption of an economic philosophy to be based on freedom and social responsibility and laying the foundation for fair distribution of national income, preservation of the environment, sustainability of resources, providing for possession of competitiveness of the national production, then opening up to the global market
There must be a realisation of economic development in line with a comprehensive strategic vision based on knowledge, as well as human, social and environmental implications.
Important, also, is the adoption of a national strategy for economic planning and development in a way that realises the targets of sustainable development and embodies the developmental balance and enhances social justice and welfare for the entire people, combating war taking into account the positive discrimination of war-stricken areas.
Adoption of mixed economic orientation based on agriculture, industry, minerals, tourism and services is vital as they endeavour to exploit and provide clean and renewable energies.
They want to attain self-sufficiency and food security, and expanding employment opportunities in the national economy and confrontation of unemployment.
Creation of appropriate internal arrangements for the management of regional and international economic partnership, preservation of the environment and natural resources, and protection of water rights are important aspects, too.
They want to adopt a foreign policy capable of striking a balance between the requirements of the supreme national interests so as to promote common interests that meet the aspirations of the people and upholding its principles.
Sudanese intend to adopt good neighbouring policy with all countries, confirming and strengthening the relations of integration and co-operation in the regional and international context.
There is emphasis for the respect for international treaties and conventions ratified by Sudan and seeking to promote justice in international relations and observe mutual respect between states and non-interference in others’ affairs.
The parties called for the adoption of policies aimed at achieving security and global peace while combating and confronting violent extremism and human trafficking.
The author is Zambia Daily Mail editorials editor.