One Army..One Nation

By : Abdul-Aziz Ali Omer
The president of South addressing a delegation coming from Khartoum in one of occasions said:’ we are one people in two countries” , but it is only now half of that people in one country that suffers more. In a consolation, its suffering is not ignored on the domestic level and on the seceded part of South Sudan whose president in a Cairo summit of neighboring states focused on the importance of respecting Sudan sovereignty and preserving its territorial integrity. Internally, Sudan TV announced the advent of Sudanese observatory for the violations of 15th April war propagating its objectives. In more than one episode titled ” The Black Record ” , the Sudan TV Featured abuses such as evictions under gun-point , trespassing into people homes under a derisive caption” The search for democracy in the houses of citizens”. In addition, the police promoted its special application called ” Balaq” accessible on Google Store to help citizens report crimes which they were prone to or had been eye-witnesses. In my opinion, such an effort will constitute evidences of conviction to future trials without an impunity and foreign judicial intervention. The Sudan TV in its program ” Home land Pulse” spread the news of ” Nafra” the general mobilization campaign which included a response from veteran combatants . In one shot, the deputy of the chief of staff shook hands amicably with an army and police retirees and pensioners. On the other hand, we saw the influx of young bloods into training camps to be drilled on the weapon to defend their families against any unjustified aggressions. The Sudanese masses proved themselves to be different from analysts describing as indifferent to war by going abroad to perform pilgrimage rites or investing their money somewhere else . With every televised approach of special Task forces combing various areas, women burst into ululations, children and adult people raised their fists in the air chanting ” One army..one nation” The inhabitants run to catch up with the fighters trucks to serve water and food. Every where the residents mingled with an army personnel to the extent that one native took the gun from the soldier to brandish it in a spontaneous dance. Even the owners of minor ranks were lifted on shoulders of the laity in a heroic welcome . An officer explained such an impressive emotional and psychiatric closes when he remarked ” The Sudanese armed forces were born out of the womb of Sudanese people” .
The Sudan TV broadcasted lots of images that didn’t bear an element of propaganda as these were genuine examples of fraternity , hospitality, humane coalescence and patriotism. You can take for instance , the last words of martyr sergeant Osman Makawi to his comrades-in-arms and Sudanese people :” I love you” adding that he lived enough by the grace of Allah. ” Thank God” he said with satisfaction as he contemplated his impending death, and he concluded urging others to continue the strife and struggle for a descent life in Sudan .
We shall never forget that elderly woman among the crowd of spectators cheering ” Malesh…malesh, we have an army” she apologized in confidence to those who belittled the value of Sudanese army . she withdrew and then she re-appeared to add ” our army is not a thief” which suggested that the Sudanese armed forces in its fight against munity didn’t commit any act of plundering.
I had seen the governor of the Nile River state interviewed on Sudan TV saying ” Tents were erected on roadside to receive the displaced which he referred as ” newcomers” and then houses had been opened for them to be accommodated . In other states of Sudan, the concerned authorities were keen on observing merchants adhering to the emergency law which prohibits monopolizing or smuggling basic commodities outside their territories . One thing one can admire is good treatment of war prisoners and many captives appeared on Sudan TV and assured their families that they were well and in the safe hand of Sudanese armed forces. As the Egyptian soldiers in Meroe air-base were released through the mediation of the Red Cross, will the abductees in Khartoum be set free to reunite with their children.? We hope so. My sister switched from Sudan TV to Alarabiya Alahadath TV Channel that hosted an expatriate member of the Sudanese Union of Doctors in Canada where tears flowed on his cheeks. ” He is weeping’ my mother said. She was right , and he did so as he thought of physicians who were killed or injured while they paid duty-calls in hospitals. Geography is no insulator. So, Other members of Sudanese communities in the Diaspora angrily condemned the atrocities of war in their country and raised supportive signs to the Sudanese armed forces. In another scene, a Sudanese native said that they were destined for supper when a stray bullet broke the plate in their food tray. He and his friends smiled, for a moment at least, they forgot that similar gun shots assassinated many of innocent souls. At last, we want one army , one nation to be more than slogan by turning into a tangible reality to end the sate of rebellion, defection, counter –polarization and political dissent that incites violence in order to pave the way for a general fair election to build a stable and prosperous country.