Africa Day: Sudan is at the heart of the continent … Challenges and opportunities for unity – something for the fatherland – ✍️ Mr. Salah is strange
The twenty-fifth in May each year, the African continent celebrates its glorious day, on the day of unity and liberation, one day when African countries remember our common struggle against colonialism and their aspirations to a future of peace, prosperity and integration. On this occasion, it becomes very important to stop at the Sudanese-African relationship, this relationship which is historically rooted and geographically, which is now witness to major challenges, but at the same time, it offers enormous upgrading and cooperation opportunities.
Sudan cannot be separated from its African environment. It is a bridge that connects the north and south of the continent, and a crush with a cultural and ethnic diversity that embodies the true spirit of Africa. Sudan has always been an essential player in regional and continental organizations, and a partner in African release and development issues. But today, unfortunately, Sudan faces a crushing war that breaks its social fabric and hinders its career in stability. This situation, which raises a great concern through the continent, pushes us to ask: how can Africa help Sudan overcome its ordeal? How can Sudan, in turn, restore its position as a strong and active partner in the march of the continent towards integration?
The strengthening of the Sudanese-African relationship requires a complete and multidimensional approach, based on common interests and mutual respect. In terms of political and diplomatic support, African organizations, led by the African Union, must continue its active role in supporting the political solution to the Sudanese crisis. This requires continuous diplomatic pressure on the parties to the conflict to stop the fighting and sit at the negotiating table. The role of African mechanisms for mediation and conflict resolution should also be reinforced and to provide the experiences necessary to help Sudan constitutes permanent peace, and in the light of the humanitarian crushing crisis that Sudan goes through, the sister of African countries and African humanitarian organizations must intensify their humanitarian and development efforts to provide urgent assistance to the affected population. In the longer term, Africa can contribute to reconstruction and development projects in Sudan and the exchange of experiences in fields such as food security, education and health.
Dialogue and cultural, artistic and sports programs between Sudan and other African countries should be encouraged. These exchanges contribute to the construction of understanding and rapprochement bridges between peoples, to improve common African identity, to limit negative stereotypes, to facilitate the movement of individuals and basic products and to work to eliminate bureaucratic and customary barriers to facilitate the movement of individuals and goods between Sudan and neighboring African countries. This would improve economic and commercial links and create new growth opportunities.
It sometimes increases the accusations of certain African countries to argue and support war in Sudan. These accusations, whether based on facts or simple doubts, are greatly harmful to African unity and hamper peace efforts. Processing these problems requires.
The African Union and regional organizations must take these accusations very seriously and conduct transparent and neutral surveys to investigate the facts. If a country is proven involved, the necessary measures must be taken in accordance with African alliances and instead of mutual accusations, a direct and constructive dialogue between Sudan and the countries around which these doubts are raised. This dialogue can help dispel misunderstandings, solve fears and strengthen confidence.
All African countries must decide on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and support the sovereignty and the unity of Sudan. Any support for the parties to the conflict, militarily or politically, undermines peace efforts, as well as the development and strengthening of the early alert mechanisms of the African Union to monitor the developments which can lead to fuel conflicts and to take the necessary preventive measures.
Sudan has enormous natural resources and a unique strategic location, making it a promising economic partner for Africa. Improving economic cooperation and investments and integration between Sudan and Africa is the key to carrying out joint prosperity by investing in cross -infrastructure projects, such as roads, railways and electricity lines, which connects Sudan to neighboring African countries. These projects will facilitate commercial movements and reduce transport costs.
Encourage inter-exchanging between Sudan and other African countries by removing customs and commercial obstacles, facilitating procedures and providing the necessary information on the markets. It can focus on agricultural products, livestock and minerals enjoyed by Sudan.
Attract African investments in Sudan in various sectors such as agriculture, mining, renewable energies and tourism. On the other hand, Sudan can invest in other African countries in the fields of their experience.
Work to develop integrated regional value chains which benefit from the relative advantages of each country. For example, Sudan can be a major resource for raw materials for certain manufacturing industries in other African countries.
Cooperation in the fields of energy and water, and taking into account its location on the Nile, Sudan can play a pivotal role in regional cooperation in the field of water resources and energy management, in order to reach mutual advantages for all countries in the Nile Basin.
Africa day is not only a memory, but rather a renewal of the alliance to build a unified, prosperous and peaceful continent. Sudan, its resources and capacities, with its unique geographic location, represents an essential pillar in this African dream. Sudan has exceeded its current crisis, and its return as a strong actor on the African scene, is an interesting African interest. This requires concerted efforts, rejecting the differences and focusing on what collects instead of what is separated. It is only through real cooperation and real integration that Africa can achieve its aspirations, and Sudan is an integral part of this triumphant walk towards a better future.
