Showing posts with label International Relations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Relations. Show all posts

How Sudan War Started?


Timeline:

1899-1956: Under British Colonial rule (Independence on 01.01.1956) - Since Independence, Sudan has remained under civil war between Arab African and Non-Arab African.

1989: Military coup by Umar Al-Bashir, who deposed P.M Sadiq Al-Mahdi and became President (3 times through rigged elections).

2003: Sudan Government used Janjaweed Militia (Arab Africans) against the rebels (non-Arab Africans in Darfur region.

2005: Peace agreement between Sudan Government and Sudan Liberation Movement.

2011: Independence of South Sudan (Non-Arab Africans having traditional religions - non-Muslims).

2013: President Umar Al-Bashir issued an order to make Janjaweed militia a para-military force to assist the government to bring law and order in the Darfur region. He named it RSF (Rapid Support Force) and appointed Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti) its general. It is pertinent to mention here that another reason behind the formulation of this force (RSF) was to prevent a military coup in the future by dividing the power of the Armed Forces into two factions i.e. RSF and the SAF, 

April, 2019: After the independence of South Sudan, Sudan lost more than 75% oil, which resulted in financial repercussions. To mitigate it, the government withdrew subsidies even on staple foods, hence the inflation skyrocketed. As a consequence, protests erupted across the country against Al-Bashir - demanding him to step down. When the economic, social, political and law and order situation became out of control, the RSF and SAF worked together to depose Umar Al-Bashir in a military coup. Moreover, General Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan became the Commander-in-Chief as well as the de facto ruler of Sudan.

August, 2019: General Abdul Fateh established the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) composed of military officers and civil members/politicians to run state affairs. General Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan and commander Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo became chairman and vice chairman respectively of TSC. Moreover, the TSC was tasked to handover government to the civil elected government (Prime Minister) within 39 months.

October, 2021: The president Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan dissolved the Transitional Sovereignty Council in a military coup-2021 and re-established it. He replaced civil members of the Council with those civil members, who were part of the government of Umar Al-Bashir in the past, which made the chairman doubtful before General Dagalo. According to the chairman of TSC, it is impossible to transfer power to the elected government while there are two powerful armed forces with two commanders. Therefore, he presented a bill in the Council to integrate RSF under the regular Sudan Armed Force, and under one command i.e. the president Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan within two years, whereas the commander of RSF required a time of ten years.

15th April, 2023: Both of the generals disagreed with each other and proclaimed their control over Khartoum International Airport, Presidential palace and several military bases. Major clashes have been reported in Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri. The SAF has an upper hand with the help of the Sudanese Air Force, while the RSF has an air defense system to repel air-strikes. Till now, several important buildings/infrastructure have been damaged in Khartoum and Omdurman. Furthermore, hundreds of civilians have been killed/injured and thousands have been displaced.

General Dagalo has become the one of the most wealthy persons in Sudan with Gold mining, car rental, transport, iron and steel business. RSF militia personnel have their bank accounts in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Moreover, they earned a lot of money from their services in Yemen from KSA. General Dagalo has stronger relations with UAE, Saudi Arabia and Russia than his counterpart General Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan. However, Egypt, Libya, United Nations (UN), Russia, United States of America (USA), China and other neighboring states have no interest in the internal peace of Sudan, but they are interested in their own political and economic relations. Ceasefires have been agreed a number of times, but nobody agrees to it truly.

It is unlikely that the president of Sudan, General Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan will retreat now, because it is like a defeat of the Sudan government and the end of the presidency of General Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan. On the other hand, Dagalo will also not move back, because doing this is the death of him and the serious consequences for his whole militia. Somehow, RSF gets amnesty, but General Dagalo will lose his perks and privileges i.e. freedom in usage of funds, Gold mining & others businesses, direct dealing with international political leaders and a political leader and a commander equal to that of the General Abdul Fateh Al-Burhan. Therefore, it is impossible that General Dagalo will retreat. It is the need of the hour that the international world, United Nations (UN) and countries like the USA, UK, France, Russia and China come forward to solve the Sudan conflict. The solution of this conflict is necessary to avoid a new cold/world war, because evil minds could use this conflict for their evil purposes.

World from Geostrategic to Geoeconomic

    In international relations, states make alliances on their national interests. In the 20th century, most of the states made alliances on geostrategic lines, especially military related matters. During the cold war, there were two blocs; Western led Nato alliance and USSR led Warsaw pact. After the dissolution of the USSR, America became the sole superpower - unquestioned over her actions.


    After 2010, China became the 2nd largest economy in the world, posing a challenge to American supremacy. BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) by China is the largest infrastructure development in the world covering about 130 states, including most of the Western states. It has negatively impacted the economy of America, which is declining day by day.


    China’s policies have attracted the foreign companies to establish their businesses in China. To end American monopoly over finance related matters, China has established “Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank”, in parallel to The World Bank. Through this bank, China is lending borrowings to the developing states connected via BRI for infrastructure development by Chinese contractors.


    America has pressured her allies to work on “Contain China” policy and to be limited with China. To counter BRI influence, G7 states have made an agreement to launch B3W (Build Back Better World) infrastructure development. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has refused to host American military bases for surveillance in Afghanistan. Moreover, Pakistan is determined to complete the BRI project in Pakistan as CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor), which is the shortest way from China to the Indian Ocean via Gwadar port.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Pakistan (CPEC)

    Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the world’s biggest project BRI for the inter-regional connectivity and promotion of the economic development. Belt and Road Initiated (BRI) earlier known as One Belt One Road (OBOR) was started in 2013 with an aim to be completed in 2049. Till now, 147 countries are signatory of BRI. China aims to be a superpower with the help of this project. On the other hand, USA (United States of America) want to sabotage this project, as a threat to its economy and challenge to its position.
Two parts: Land area rout is called Economic Belt, whereas, sea rout is called Maritime Silk Road.
Three Continents: Asia, Africa and Europe will be connected via this project.
Three Key Areas: International trade, infrastructure development and financial investment.
Six Corridors:
  1. China-Mongolic-Russia Economic Corridor
  2. China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor
  3. Bangladesh-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor
  4. Eurasia Land Bridge Economic Corridor
  5. China Indo-China Economic Corridor
  6. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): CPEC is a “Flagship Project” and “Buckle in the Belt” for the China due to its vital location. CPEC is shortest and safest trade route for China to reach Indian Ocean, Middle East, Gulf countries and international market, because China has conflict in South China See and Strait of Malacca. It will reduce the distance of China to reach Gulf countries from 16000Km to 5000Km and time duration from 45 days to 10 days only. Moreover, it will provide route to landlocked countries Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
    Under CPEC different projects like airports, special economic zones (SEZs), Expressways, Motorways, Highways, Railways, Bridges, Tunnels, Hospitals, Power Plants (Solar, Hydro, Wind and Coal), and Technical & Vocational institutes will be constructed in Pakistan. CPEC will improve Pakistan’s economy, provide jobs to the locals, supply of energy and trade route to international markets. Moreover, developments in Balochistan and North China Provinces will minimize or end the militancy and separatist elements in these regions. Pakistan and China will collaborate with each other in security related matters, which will eliminate Indian subversion (Kabhushan Jadev – An Indian spy captured from Baluchistan).  Pakistan-Iran pipeline will also be effective due to CPEC.
        It is pertinent to mention here that due to political turmoil, economic upheaval, militant elements, inter-provincial disharmony, Kashmir-conflict with India and international pressure by UK, USA and allies, CPEC is a challenging project for Pakistan. But, somehow, Pakistan is on the track. By the grace of Allah Almighty, the good days are not far away.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan | Determinants | Objectives

    Foreign Policy is a strategy/policy used by a state in relationships with other state/s to secure its national interest and to achieve national objectives at international level.

Foreign Policy of Pakistan outlined by Mr. Jinnah: “Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world, and in upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter.”

Determinants of Foreign Policy of Pakistan:
  • Ideology (Two Nation Theory)
  • Geography
  • History
  • Domestic Policies
  • Security (Military Assistance)
  • Economy (Financial Assistance / Economic Development / Trade)
  • Kashmir Issue
  • Religion (Islamic Identity – Good Relations with Muslim countries)
  • Sovereignty
  • Public Opinion

Principles of Foreign Policy of Pakistan:
  • Neutrality
  • International Peace & Harmony
  • Non-Alignment
  • Good relations with Muslim countries
  • Peaceful settlement of international conflicts.
  • Respecting sovereignty of other states
  • Non-interference in internal affairs of other countries
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
  • Implementation of UN Charter