Sudan: Another Example of the Failure of Nationalism
(Translated)
According to the laws governing the current system, every nation has the right to choose the laws that govern it, and therefore, every nation has the right to a state. This concept led to a wave of new countries after World War II, as existing countries split, and thus, the chaos we see today occurred.
Since 1945, there have been at least 34 new countries recognized by the United Nations. This resulted from the wave of nationalism that swept the world in the decades following the mid-20th century. Artificial borders were drawn to grant various factions independence and the right to rule, with countries like the formerly unified Sudan falling into conflicts and unrest.
But the new divisions did not solve the existing problems, but rather complicated them. In the case of Sudan, one way to understand this complexity is to look at its industry and oil sector. The oil sector was pivotal in the unified state, and became the backbone of the two newly formed economies. The problem is that the borders dismantled the formerly centralized Sudanese oil industry. In the newly formed states, the south controlled most of the oil fields, while the north controlled the export infrastructure, including pipelines and refineries. Thus, South Sudan, which has recently become landlocked, relied on Sudan's pipelines leading to the Red Sea. This division led to disputes over transit fees, repeatedly disrupting oil exports - exports that both countries still rely on for their economies. For example, in 2012, South Sudan halted oil production due to these disputes, a move that significantly affected the revenues of both countries. While agreements have been reached to resume exports, tensions and economic difficulties remain.
So, since 2011, what we have is two separate countries that are highly dependent on each other. They have the resources, but they lack the development necessary to exploit them. Thus, despite having about 8 billion barrels of oil in them, they suffer from extreme poverty.
This can change if the two countries unite and stabilize. This will not happen under the current capitalist system. This system has exacerbated conflicts between people, and then given them a system of governance that encouraged ideas such as "survival of the fittest," fueling tensions within and between them.
To change the situation in Sudan, and to ensure its political stability and ability to develop economically, it must be returned to the banner of Islam. Then, its oil sector can be optimally exploited, its agricultural sector can be developed, its mining and industrial sectors can be expanded, and its trade infrastructure can be strengthened. This will be done under the guidance of the Caliph and his assistants who realize their duty to ensure the development of regions within the Islamic State, and to exploit resources, for the benefit of the Islamic Ummah. And that they will be sinful if they ignore this responsibility.
It is possible to develop the area of Sudan, as it has the potential to become a major producer and exporter of food thanks to its vast agricultural lands, about 84 million hectares, only 20% of which is cultivated. It grows major crops, including cotton, peanuts, sesame seeds, sorghum, wheat, and sugarcane. It is also rich in mineral resources such as gold, asbestos, chromium, mica, kaolin, and copper. It has the infrastructure for many light industries such as agricultural processing, electronics assembly, plastics, furniture manufacturing, and textile production.
It has the ability to provide resources for the rest of the Islamic country, while benefiting from what it offers, given its strategic location between the Gulf states and West Africa, and it has access to the Red Sea.
Sudan's main seaport is Port Sudan, a natural deep-water port capable of handling large ships. It also supports diverse cargoes including containers, bulk cargo, and oil. This, along with other Sudanese ports, provides the country with direct connection to international shipping lanes via the Red Sea. This not only connects Sudan to its African neighbors, but also to Middle Eastern markets including the coastal city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. This is important because its neighbors are landlocked and will need Sudan's access to the sea in order to trade with the rest of the Islamic country. These possibilities are not limited to Africa and the Middle East, but also extend, perhaps to Asia, Europe, and the Arabian Gulf, thanks to Sudan's strategic location on the Red Sea and its proximity to the Suez Canal.
Despite the current unrest, the country's infrastructure is still functioning adequately, with Sudan currently exporting its crude oil to the UAE and Malaysia via the Bashayer and PLOC marine terminals. These exports are sent via Sudan's Red Sea port infrastructure, and consist mostly of crude oil produced in South Sudan.
So, there is potential for the region to become a prosperous part of the Islamic State. Once the Islamic country is reunited, Sudan will be able to trade with the rest of the Islamic Ummah. This is important because Sudan is not the only country with natural resources sufficient to meet many global needs today - the whole of Africa has been blessed with these resources; as the continent contains approximately 30% of the world's mineral reserves, including cobalt, gold, platinum and copper. It also has approximately 8% of the world's oil reserves and approximately 12% of the world's natural gas reserves.
If we look at Sudan's neighbors, we have Egypt, which is rich in natural gas and oil. It also has access to the Nile River, a vital water resource. There is also Eritrea, which has significant mineral resources, including gold, copper, and potash, and Ethiopia, with its potential in the field of hydroelectric power, agricultural land, and minerals. Then there is the Central African Republic, which has diamonds, gold, and uranium, and both Chad and Libya, with their large oil resources. Despite all this wealth and potential, Africa is home to some of the poorest countries in the world. In addition to Sudan and South Sudan, the rest of the countries suffer from conflict and death, and their resources are plundered and exploited.
Under the Caliphate, this situation will change. The Islamic State will resume its commitment to developing the resources of the earth, so that we (as a nation) become self-sufficient, not dependent on or exploited by hostile countries. This is essential, as the enemies of Islam must not be given any advantage over us. As we can see, it is also possible, if we have a leader capable of uniting the Muslims in Sudan and quelling the current state of instability and unrest.
#SudanCrisis #SudanCrisis
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut-Tahrir
Fatima Musab
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut-Tahrir
