Several of these Sudanese politicians and political analysts on both sides of the issue believe that the Muslim Sudanese from the north waged jihad warfare against the Christians in the south. This is a perspective that is never, ever aired in the Western media. Note also that everyone who refers to jihad understands it as having to do with warfare — none of them seem to think it is just a word for taking the kids to school or getting in one’s exercise.
“‘I felt a part of me had been cut off,'” from Al Jazeera, February 19:
After independence from Britain in 1956 and a series of civil wars and military coups, the modern history of Sudan has been chequered and troubled.
When the potential unifying figure of John Garang de Mobior died in a helicopter crash in 2005, events towards separation of the Christian south from the predominantly Muslim north escalated and led almost inevitably to the eventual split in 2011….
Mansour Khalid, poltical [sic] adviser, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – (S Sudan)
“When the Islamists seized power in Khartoum, the civil war became jihad. Jihad is a religious and an Islamic term. It has nothing to do with what happened during the civil war. They were determined to do as much harm as possible to non-Muslims.
“What really saddens me is that everything was agreed in the CPA to enable unity was then betrayed by the north.
“African blood runs through my veins. This is the truth so why are we running away from it? It is shameful, because you’re contradicting yourself. University students, government employees, doctors, engineers and businessmen were kicked out. How can you explain this?”
Hassan al-Turabi, leader of the Popular Congress Party – (Sudan)
“I encouraged jihad for good reasons. I wanted them to fight for God’s sake and for the unity of the country. So the whole of Sudan would benefit from the riches of the north and Sudan would become an example of regional unity in Africa.
“I wanted them to have a greater purpose. I didn’t want them to fight just to be martyred. This is a common misconception among many Islamic movements. They think God will reward them for killing the enemy. This is true only when it’s for a higher purpose.”
Pagan Amum, secretary general, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – (S Sudan)
“They started jihad against the south. If they’d gained control of the south before separation, it would have become part of the Islamic Sudanese state….
Al-Tayeb Mustafa, chief of the Just Peace Forum Party – (Sudan)
“I can assure you, the Islamic movement’s position was pro-unity. The Islamic movement viewed the south as a potential battleground.
“Southerner politicians thought unity would benefit Islam and that Islam would spread to the south….