Thought I’d pick up a copy of one of Sudan’s English-language newspapers, Sudan Vision (‘An Independent Daily’), to see what the word is on the streets of Khartoum. I've chosen a few choice excerpts, leaving the spelling and grammar as it was for authenticity:
‘SUDAN DIRECTION TOWARDS EAST’ – main editorial
“In simple calculations Sudan’ search for joint interest with the western countries is just like plowing the sea. Politically the dealing with China doesn’t have any pressure on Sudan and will not lead to any problems in the Arab and African arena.”
Steve Madgwick: It’s been an age since the West was favoured by the government in Sudan, but China is gaining a tangible foothold here. The brand-new tarmac roads in the northern areas of the country are evidence of this. Trade without ideology seems to be the Chinese mantra, which certainly has found its mark here.
‘FOCUS: THE COWBOY TRAITS’
“Washington was partner to the peace agreement in Sudan, but mounting pressure on it by the Jewish lobby made its position sway, and as such should stop meddling with Sudan’s domestic affairs (Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, information secretary for ruling party NCP).”
SM: Well, you won’t see that one on Fox News or in The Sun every day…
‘OPINION: IS [name deleted] ACTING ILLEGAL IN SOUTH SUDAN?’
“There is always wrong thinking by these foreign banks; they term South Sudanese rich and so they just come to the country to take advantage of our weak civilians but not to serve them as usual, rather, enough that they started their own way of exploiting the citizens.”
SM: Good to see that banker-bashing flows across borders and cultures. The full article was one of the most libellous I have seen.
‘MBEKI BEGINS MOVES TO CONVERGE VIEWS’
“Mr Mbeki begins extensive contacts with the Sudanese parties to save the last Addis agreement. African Union source affirmed the intention of mediation to hold separate meetings with the two parties to soften the attitudes and the resumption of negotiations in Addis Ababa and speed up the signing of an agreement before the month of Ramadan, besides details on the political arraignments”
SM: The uneasy peace surrounding the partition of the Sudans is being helped by a nine-month amnesty on ‘returnees’ among many other elements. Mustn't fight over the holidays (Ramadan) right?
‘SPEECH BY UNAMID JSR IN THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUDAN AND LJM’
“The parties of the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) also deserve our commendation for their good faith and steadfastness to negotiate a just and peaceful settlement of the conflict of Darfur. And last but not least I would like to thank the people of Darfur for their continued patience and active support for the peace process.”
SM: Did the people of Darfur every really have the chance to exercise 'patience'? ‘Active support for the peace process’? What else were they going to do after years of atrocity?
‘AL HILAL DRAWS ENYIMBA, 2-2 UNDER TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES’
“Al Hilal was better than Enyimba throughout the first half of the match however mistakes of goalkeeper Jomaa presented the Nigerian team with easy opportunities to draw the result”
SM: Like Egypt the male population of Sudan, lives for the game. Sports journalists are tough armchair pundits wherever you go. Here the unnamed writer lays blames for the Khartoum’s side failure to win their CAF Champions League tie with the goalie. Sound familiar?
