Sanctions Devastate Communities Wholesale and Compound Suffering of Sudanese

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The White House's renewal of the unjustified unilateral sanctions imposed on Sudan, regrettable as it is, wasn't entirely unexpected. It is obvious that this "leverage" is one that the U.S. government intends to maintain for a while, the lifting of which for the past 17 years has been dependent on one thing or another. It has always been attached to a certain issue that the U.S. wants a resolution to. Yet once a solution has been achieved, another issue conveniently crops up that now becomes the condition. The target is always in motion. The latest cited is the conduct of the referendum. It baffles logic how that event can possibly be a condition when all Sudanese, regardless of the outcome or conduct of the referendum, stand to benefit from the lifting of the sanctions; currently, however, both the North and the South are suffering from their imposition.

At this critical juncture in Sudan's history, the U.S.-imposed unilateral sanctions can only undermine the great achievements made in our quest for peace. It's in fact tempting to view their imposition as an attempt at obstruction. Recognized by the UN as "legally and practically bankrupt," they are intended to devastate communities wholesale and to create unrest in countries. And in Sudan, they have only worked to compound the suffering of the weary and besieged population. To believe the notion that these are "targeted Sanctions" is to be uninformed on the matter. It is important to recall the aftermath of the U.S. imposed "targeted" sanctions on Iraq where millions, half of whom were children, perished as a direct result.

The irony is that National Security is cited as a reason for perpetuating the sanctions. Yet they turn around and praise Sudan's vital cooperation in counterterrorism. What undoubtedly will jeopardize any National Security is the polarization and alienation that results from people perceiving a given set of actions or attitude as utterly unjust and uncalled for. And unfortunately the Sudanese populace which once highly regarded the U.S. government is increasingly adopting the same opinion and posture held by those in the Middle East. Surely this is not the reputation one would want to create if the goal is to build a bridge.

It is unfortunate, because the new administration with its conciliatory diplomacy did at first show signs that marked a clear departure from its predecessors. Its latest envoy to Sudan was among those who immediately saw the negative impact that these sanctions had on the efforts geared towards resolving the many challenges facing the country and sought to do something about them. Yet his exertions were eventually thwarted. It has become a routine for the successive administrations to reflexively maintain the failed policy. But the U.S. government must recognize that times and circumstances change. And so routines must change. The Administration must understand that the lifting of the Sanctions is not a "carrot" to be dangled. Rather it would be rectifying a heinous policy and injustice committed against the innocent civilians.

SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan