The
exploitation during the colonial period and followed by the continuing
conflict between the two ethnic groups is the major source of slavery
in Sudan history. Yet, the source does not seem to be as powerful
as culture and a belief growing along with the conflict that fuel
the dynamics of the slavery. The conflict is, in fact, an external
factor that tends to be more easy to correct than the value of the
particular society, which is an internal factor. In this page, we
will look back to the history and see how the colonization and the
conflict have constituted a class value that distinguishes a superior
class from an inferior class through using race as a basis.
The
history of the colonization has disintegrated the whole nation.
It opened an opportunity for one nation to take advantage from another
one. The one who benefited is claimed to be superior, while another
is looked down for its incapability in protecting its interest.
Back to the period of colonization, Egypt empire backed up by the
British had prospered and been recognized for its modernization
and civilization. It had spreaded out its influence and power down
to Sudan and other neighbors. Although much of the North had assimilated
by the Arabs, the South tried to maintain its independence and cultural
indentity. The two different identities were further strengthened
by the British colonial policy of 1930 that legitimized an existence
of two invented opposing identities. The notion of national superiority
was strong when the Arabs invaded. Thus, the civil war following
the colonial period has an implication in a competing racial identity.
Voices of the southern Sudanese were mute. Thus, the war was an
expression of the African Christian toward the Arab Muslim.
The
conflict also brings us the issue of racism. Image of slavery under
Shari'a and Islamic literature continue to support a negative stereotypes
of the Southern Sudanese. Muslims come to view slavery best suited
black Africans. The consequence of the Arab occupation in the north
created an image of an Arab as civilized, whereas the Southern Sudanese
have been labelled blacks and primative because back
in 1955, the Southern people were far behind the stage of civilization.
Their lives were simple and they lived close to nature. A brief
assumption we could make about the civilization of the Arab was
that their hard geographical location encouraged new inventories
to survive, while the natural abundance in the Southern Sudan did
not require much progress to survive. Civilization and modernization
that resided in the pride of Arabs created the class distinction
between two races. This social structure legitimizes a superior
class to make use of an inferior class. Thus, slavery has also been
fueled by racism from state status and the physical appearance of
Blacks. The incapability of protecting the state interest and the
negative perception of the Arab toward Blacks constitute the issue
of racism, which further affect the social structure in Sudan.
The
experience of slavery continues to flourish because the constructed
ideological perceptions of difference and hierarchy have been maintained.
This is also the colonial practices and policies. The hierarchial
structure of the society became the remarkable system. It enabled
the class division that consisted of nobles, middle class and slaves.
The agricultural task would be performed by slaves. The task was
socially humiliating because it required labor force. Thus, all
kinds of labor task, like agriculture, operation of irregation system,
animal husbandry and domestic service would belong to slave tasks.
Every household in upper-Egypt and in the Delta were dependent upon
slave services. Slaves tasks have been changed as time goes by.
In the eighteenth and ninteenth century, slaves were recruited into
army and provided source of wealth for the ruling class. An end
of the colonial period and conflicts seem to end the role of slavery.
Nevertheless, the slavery still continues with a major change in
their roles.
The
cultural issue does not only include race, but also religion that
also accompanies with. In fact, the race issue has a big impact
on the social structure, while religion has a big role in shaping
the political system.
Under
the control of the Arab, laws and orders were created and interpreted
according to the Islamic regime. Thus, the southerner completely
lose its sovereignty and autonomy. This is how the second phrase
of civil war began. As we saw how the Islamic regime encourages
slavery trade through cultural expression. In addition, the practice
of slavery and slave trade is legetimated by the Islamic State Policy
of Jihad (holy war). According to the Ethics and International
Affairs, the Qur'an's approach the political organization through
emphasizing the state and national unity. The Arab tried to hold
an absolute power over the African. This is also raise the question
of the government legitimacy. The Arabs hoped to apply one rule
for one nation. Jihad even gives right to the people to create war
if there is a sign of hostility against them. However, a lack of
justification in its conduct can even cause greater disparity.
Today,
there are efforts made by other international governments to bring
reconciliation between the Sudanese government and the Southern
Christians. For example, "one country, two systems"
is a peace formula of Mr. Danforth, the American senator. Under
his proposal, there will be an Islamis government in the north,
and a secular one in the south. In fact, a relaxation in the applicability
of Islamic law can only decrease a level of the violence of the
conflict. The method is just expected to bring reconciliation bewteen
two sides, but the problem of slavery does not tend to come to an
end.
The
Economist Article: A ceasefire, but not yet peace
