Esther Sprague, founder of Sudan Unlimited, posted a very interesting article we want to share with you, titled: The Demand for Real Change: Putting the Interests of the Sudanese People First.
In her post she explains how the U.S. and Europe have championed the cause of the people of Sudan before changing their policy. She also mentions the engagement of activists and the newly cooperation with the Sudanese regime.
A must-read piece, full article here. Some excerpts below:
Historically, the U.S. and Europe have championed the cause of the people of Sudan; however, over the last few years, a movement has been underway to align more closely with the Sudan regime in order to further certain political and economic interests. The U.S. has found a source of information with regard to the war on terror; the West’s ally, Saudi Arabia, has found a source of soldiers for the war in Yemen; and Europe has sourced Sudan’s brutal military to stop Africans and other refugees from seeking safety within its borders. In return, the U.S. has lifted key Sudan sanctions that has opened up markets and investment opportunities for companies such Baker Hughes, currently a G.E. subsidiary, which is providing assistance to the Sudan regime in its oil and gas operations, and Squire Patton Boggs, a Cleveland-based law firm that is representing the Sudan regime in Washington and beyond for $40,000 a month.
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Sudanese and human rights defenders, however, are not fooled. While the regime has made some minor concessions to garner international favor, it continues to bomb and attack civilians, blocks humanitarian aid from reaching Sudanese in need, arbitrarily detains and tortures opposition and civil society leaders, shuts down the press, persecutes Christians and moderate Muslims, and has bankrupted the country due to gross corruption and mismanagement. While the U.S. and European governments are willing to look the other way, Sudanese and activists refuse to be silent.
