tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post621564525388639429..comments2023-02-27T08:36:02.969-08:00Comments on Thoughts of His Moezness: Sudan: Why Clooney's arrest is both good and badMoez Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15141187933849252517noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-54848931220008870692012-05-28T08:33:48.653-07:002012-05-28T08:33:48.653-07:00YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, Clooney was indeed bl...YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, Clooney was indeed blind to the fact that civil society plays a significant role in Sudan.The struggle between civil society organizations and the state often take the form of an attempt by the state to overpower non-governmental organizations [NGOs] by bringing them under government control. Finding ways in which civil society organizations can be protected, strengthened and made more effective in their endeavors...press freedom, freedom of speech,and independent judiciary even if the decisions from the judiciary are politically unpopular or opposed by powerful interests.For example, by mandating certain action when the judiciary perceives that a branch of government is refusing to perform a constitutional duty, or by declaring laws passed by the legislature unconstitutional.Focusing on key issues such as labour standards and anti-corruption etc should be the primary concerns of Westerners if they really want to help.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16813092092474094202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-27066441867887360672012-04-23T06:33:02.037-07:002012-04-23T06:33:02.037-07:00I like your article and what I have read on your b...I like your article and what I have read on your blog so far.<br /><br />I deplore "celebrities" who take up a superficial interest in causes without truly understanding the root problems and therefore represent issues and conflicts in simplistic ways e.g. good vs evil/ arab vs everyone etc etc. Furthermore, they often present themselves and the West in general as the saviours of the developing world. I'm definitely of the belief that conflicts must be solved by the people involved, from the ground up and foreign intervention is often misguided and damaging at times.<br /><br />But in this case - I have to disagree with your analysis of George Clooney in his particular cause of highlighting the genocide in Nuba Mountains. I call it genocide because that is what it is. <br /><br />I loved what you said when talking about the negative perception of Sudan - "The funny thing though is that Sudan is exactly that, but not that at all."<br /><br />So if you can acknowledge that sometimes racial hatred and suppression can occur in the Sudan- why can't you acknowledge what's going on in the Nuba Mountains? It's very easy to analyse a situation from afar and not know what's actually happening on the ground. I'm making this assumption because I know for a fact that if you were in contact with people on the ground in Nuba Mountains - you would never be of the opinion that its just a "rebellion". At least George Cloonley actually was in Nuba Mountains to see for him self.<br /><br />In no way am I championing him as some sort of saviour - God forbid no. I have no idea what his intentions are in highlighting the genocide in Nuba Mountains, but as someone who is both Nuba and South Sudanese - I will take any attention we can get.<br /><br />I was last in Nuba mountains 5 months before the bombings started on 6th June 2011. I haven't been back since and I doubt I can go back anytime time soon. I can't describe to you the anguish that my family members went through those first few weeks of June - the phone calls, the emails...the pictures!!! Family members, family friends...people my family have known their whole lives are either dead, disabled without limbs or hiding in mountain caves. These are people not part of SPLM-N or any rebellion. They were civilians that were deliberately targeted. President Bashir himself said loud and clear that they were going to chase the Nuba from mountain to mountain and from cave to cave. Those are not remarks of squashing a rebellion, those are remarks of hunting down an group of people. <br /><br />And the more recent comments from Ahmed Haroon when addressing SAF (roughly translated): wipe, sweep away and don't bring back anyone alive - its such extreme language and disgusting. <br /><br />SAF are not targeting SPLM-N only, they're indiscriminately bombing villages and innocent people. I can't tell you how many Nuba people who were once sitting on the sidelines and who were even NCP members themselves have come to hate Pres. Bashir and the government. They found out the hard way that the bombs don't discriminate between good Nuba(NCP supporters) and bad Nuba (SPLM-N, and sympathisers) - they're just killing Nuba people, full stop. <br /><br />So in this case at least, George Clooney is accurately presenting to the world what's going on. I HATE that an american celebrity has to highlight a conflict thats nearly a year old now but as someone who has been attending protests since June 18th 2011 and we gained NO attention or help...I as a Nuba, can't condemn the attention he generated.missysoulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777899189447583201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-2986426021726954052012-03-17T23:50:38.358-07:002012-03-17T23:50:38.358-07:00Great piece. Couldn't agree moreGreat piece. Couldn't agree moreUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17039594208117090620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-71321520911767705042012-03-17T17:32:55.281-07:002012-03-17T17:32:55.281-07:00nice and powerful piece, that's really says wh...nice and powerful piece, that's really says what we cant.<br />On the other hand I think that this regime established all the current issues and fed it up, which lead to the tragic loss of almost 49% of the Sudan land and hence the financial hardship that's facing the nation, not to mention the almost loss of the west.<br />Now I think that the regime it self is bumpy and seeking a way out which is not available after destroying the only renewable, reliable and guaranteed hard currency source (Al-jazeera project) intentionally, which need at least another 10 years and expertise which moved outside the country (willingly or unwillingly) to get it flowing once again.<br />Finally I think we should seek salvation by removing this regime one way or another.mosaab almakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09336170277895675110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-26635024948268891892012-03-17T14:25:56.895-07:002012-03-17T14:25:56.895-07:00Osman: These are some very good points that need t...Osman: These are some very good points that need to be addressed in more detail. Thanks for pointing them out.<br /><br />Reem: I read it earlier. A very strong piece, I hope people realise the consequences of Clooney's campaigns.<br /><br />Elbashir: true. And if westerners want to contribute they should tackle the issues head on by getting involved with those on the ground who are already active.Moez Alihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141187933849252517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-76239686486677777632012-03-17T10:45:57.780-07:002012-03-17T10:45:57.780-07:00Dear all,
This is brilliant.
But do you know wh...Dear all,<br /><br />This is brilliant. <br /><br />But do you know what's more tragic.... <br /><br />It is that we self proclaimed intelligent abakars' and Hafsas' know all this yet we are doing nothing to change the status quo.... <br /><br />when are we going to stop waiting for foreign intervention...for the other to make a move. <br /><br />What is our contribution.... a blog post that reflects are political prowess.. a comment that shows our ability to see between the lines. I ask you all what good is seeing if we end up turning a blind eye at the end...<br /><br />A fed up abbakarElbashir Salahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015133731503320225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-68827369591084420822012-03-17T06:46:04.421-07:002012-03-17T06:46:04.421-07:00Interesting post, as usual. What thinks you of thi...Interesting post, as usual. What thinks you of this?<br />http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/robcrilly/100144649/never-mind-kony-lets-stop-clooney/Reem Gaafarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673439636141717197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4828041730347723973.post-59306707968302488582012-03-17T06:05:51.436-07:002012-03-17T06:05:51.436-07:00Dear Moez,
Good thoughts. Although, one importan...Dear Moez,<br /><br />Good thoughts. Although, one important aspect of this debate that has not been captured in this article is the half-sighted view that Mr. Clooney has taken to solving this problem (be it willingly due to some bias, or unwillingly due to ignorance and lack of thorough investigation). It is important to point out that the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile has been encouraged and is being kept alive by the government of South Sudan. It is no secret that Mr. Al Hillo and Mr. Aggar are both empowered, armed and funded by the South Sudan and hence, one can reasonably say that the government of South Sudan is equally responsible for whatever blood is being spilled in the border region. Yet, we see no sign of protests by Mr. Clooeny and his rich friends at the side walk of the South Sudan's Embassy in Washington. And this, in my opinion, should be the meat of the argument against the effectiveness and the credibility of Clooney's Crusade.<br /><br />I enjoyed your posts. I hope you join my discussions and share your thoughts with me at wanasat-3asor.blogspot.comO Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09567615064321850043noreply@blogger.com