The vote for succession cast by the southern Sudanese is a historic occasion. After a decades-long civil war with the Arab north, southern Sudan will is one step closer to independence. It is a joyous moment.
Yet, it is also cause for concern. Often when states are born from autocratic forbearers, they themselves exhibit governmental repression. This has been the case in Eritrea, which gained independence after a long struggle with Ethiopia.
Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir certainly fits the label of an autocrat. His regime has instituted Sharia law, despite the fact that southern Sudan is largely Christian and animist. He has imprisoned his friends and those he views as a threat to his leadership. His government also has ties to the Janjaweed militia, which massacred millions of black people in the western region of Darfur.
Thus, the situation for repression against the southern Sudanese people is ripe. The hope is that they are not simply exchanging one dictator for another. This can be avoided in part with the help of the international community. One election is not enough. Parties must be created on the basis of issues. This means that Western institutions such as the World Bank and IMF should not be allowed to dictate policy in Southern Sudan, because that takes the freedom of choice, the true root of democracy, away from the southern Sudanese people.
Instead, the Western community needs to foster local entrepreneurs with the help of subsidies provided by donors. The Western powers can also donate materials and expertise to create school and universities. However, if the Western powers keep course, they will force southern Sudan to be a free market and turn a blind eye to human rights abuses, which will leave the people of southern Sudan in the same predicament that they've been enduring.
(The HQT-IE)
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