NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm just wondering what you think. With the crisis in Darfur, it'd be a great show of power if the African Union sent peacekeepers in. Last year, it took an important baby step by restoring democracy in Sao Toame and Principe. However, Sudan is a far more complex region, and this mission has more political and military challenges. It makes me wonder if the AU can be a force in Africa.

Okay guys, this thread is about Sudan. I've developed a very short patience this summer, and I need some responders. Do people even know what the AU is?

You are not alone in believing action in Sudan will greatly strengthen the AU, and strength that is much needed. It's obvious that Africa is simply too many problems for the outside world to solve, Africa needs a strong mediating and progressive force, the AU is that. Sudan offers the opportunity for the AU to gain some credit to it's name

You are not alone in believing action in Sudan will greatly strengthen the AU, and strength that is much needed. It's obvious that Africa is simply too many problems for the outside world to solve, Africa needs a strong mediating and progressive force, the AU is that. Sudan offers the opportunity for the AU to gain some credit to it's name
Exactly. It'll also show Africans that they can solve their own problems without the use of political nutcases or outside help.
But then again, I sort of favor a multinational force, because I believe they have a shot at building democracy in Sudan, and can peacefullly partition the Southern, Northern and Western parts. But the AU can send the bulk of peacekeepers, the multinational force just needs to do the peacemaking part.

I doubt they can do it. It would be great if they could. But I doubt it. Just look at Congo.

I agree the force should not be AU alone, in part becuase it still needs that step of strength. I can't comment on the partitioning idea since I must prefess to not knowing quite that much about the demographics of Sudans population. But if it came down to the AU or no one I don't think I have to express my opinion on that.

I agree the force should not be AU alone, in part becuase it still needs that step of strength. I can't comment on the partitioning idea since I must prefess to not knowing quite that much about the demographics of Sudans population. But if it came down to the AU or no one I don't think I have to express my opinion on that.
What about the demographics?

What about the demographics?

I don't know much about them

What about the demographics?
Sudan's demographics are very complex. But basically, you have an Arab Muslim North (who dominate the government), a Black Christian South fighting for independence longer than any of us have been breathing, and a mixed bag in the West that is currently oppressed. These three groups can't work together, and would be best if they went on their separate ways.

Sudan's demographics are very complex. But basically, you have an Arab Muslim North (who dominate the government), a Black Christian South fighting for independence longer than any of us have been breathing, and a mixed bag in the West that is currently oppressed. These three groups can't work together, and would be best if they went on their separate ways.
Aren't about 20% or more heathens? And only 10% Xtians?

Africa has had ALOT more time to do something than just about anyone else. Can you name one great civilization in Africa not built by foreigners, can you name any thing good the comes from Africa, and when was the last time you bought a product that was made in any country in Africa. About the only thing that happens over there is genocide, aids, and starving. So I do not think Africa can even hold an organization together and I think there is NO way they will do any good.

Aren't about 20% or more heathens? And only 10% Xtians?
Yeah, quite a few have indigenous religions, although I've heard that Christianity is rapidly growing there.

Africa has had ALOT more time to do something than just about anyone else. Can you name one great civilization in Africa not built by foreigners, can you name any thing good the comes from Africa, and when was the last time you bought a product that was made in any country in Africa. About the only thing that happens over there is genocide, aids, and starving. So I do not think Africa can even hold an organization together and I think there is NO way they will do any good.
I don't feel that the African Union can wave a magic wand, and the continent is the US. However, the AU has legitamicy amongst its member governments simply because they have very few options.
BTW, there was the Songhai and Mali empires in West Africa. They were the closest Africa ever got to their own civilization, except maybe Axum. These empires, however, were extremely dependent off trade from their gold and salt mines they guarded near the coast. When the Portugese navigated around Africa, trading through the Sahara lost its apeal.

I don't feel that the African Union can wave a magic wand, and the continent is the US. However, the AU has legitamicy amongst its member governments simply because they have very few options.
BTW, there was the Songhai and Mali empires in West Africa. They were the closest Africa ever got to their own civilization, except maybe Axum. These empires, however, were extremely dependent off trade from their gold and salt mines they guarded near the coast. When the Portugese navigated around Africa, trading through the Sahara lost its apeal.
The slave trade was also a substantial source of income for them if I'm not mistaking. First with the Arabs and later with the Europeans.

Sudan is head of the UN Human Rights Commission.

The Sudanese government is clearly showing that they fully support the militia doing the damage; by saying that any action taken against the Janjaweed is "an attack on Islam;" not to mention the fact that aid agencies like the Red Cross are finding it extremely difficult to get visas into Sudan.

The African Union can become a force to be reckoned with in Africa if it does act, against the Sudanese government's political ideals.

The Sudanese government is clearly showing that they fully support the militia doing the damage; by saying that any action taken against the Janjaweed is "an attack on Islam;" not to mention the fact that aid agencies like the Red Cross are finding it extremely difficult to get visas into Sudan.

The African Union can become a force to be reckoned with in Africa if it does act, against the Sudanese government's political ideals.
Agreed.

It'd be great if the AU could bring peace to Africa, but I think it will take decades before the AU becomes a serious force, and Africa needs to resolve its economic and AIDS problems first, hopefully with the help of the West.

Surely the AU cannot mount any kind of peacekeeping operation without South Africa. I don't know what SA's position on Darfur is.

I think that the AU needs to resolve the conflict and show that it can do something, but failing that, international 'assistance' is necessary...