Judges of the ICC issued a warrant of arrest for President Omar Al-Bashir for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan. In light of this expected development, I wonder whether Sudan will finally know any peace.
Many will be quick to point out the hypocrisy of the ICC in issuing this warrant while George Bush walks free in Texas, while others will note that this warrant highlights a new form of colonialism. But, I have always wondered why African blood has always been in such a fragile vase that it continues to flow. And if you are African like me, you should be wondering about whatever happened to African solutions for African problems.
I wonder what a child who has never known their parents or parents whose children have vanished because of this war will say. I wonder what the girl whose innocence has been stolen from her by some gun-carrying, horse-riding-soldier will say. And what are you going to say?
Should n't the Darfur situation be a thing of the past only to be found in the history books? Should not the mission of every leader and country be to defend the well being of their people against all threats, not to take lives away in pursuit of power? In that light, how helpful is it to kick out NGOs who are helping the poor when there is no plan to meet the needs that will arise? Is it useful to have to be begged to protect lives? Most importantly, why should Westerners have to protect Africans, why can't our leaders protect Africa? The suffering in Africa has gone on for far too long. The length and breath of our continent is covered in blood and tears. Tears that continue to flow into a red river whose source never seems to run dry. Why?
Perhaps the sun will dry our tears? Perhaps global warming will burn through the fog of impunity and dry away the red rivers? Perhaps this is something for you to pray about and go about your day? Perhaps this is something for you to protest about? Perhaps this is something for you to sing about? When will Africa know peace? I wonder!
Friday, March 6, 2009
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