Exile, Identity, and Political Reform

Abstract

The civil war in the Southern Sudan has led to the massive displacement of about 5.5 million Sudanese. About 2.1 million of these people live in shantytowns within the country, especially around Khartoum, the capital city. There are also about 2 million who are displaced within the South, both in the areas held by the SPLA and the government garrison towns. The rest took refuge in neighboring countries mainly Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Egypt.

Our history with the Arab since the self-rule in 1953 should remind you clearly that the enemy means no peace. Enemy reinforcements and bombings are going on, as they talk peace. The history of the struggle to be free from the Arabs must be taught to the children, while in exile. We who are inside are already living this history from day to day through constant enemy attacks. These are grave times and we should refrain from considering enemy pretences and instead focus on hard work in order to achieve our destiny of total freedom.¹

It is, of course true that the African identity is still in the making. There isn’t a final identity that is African. But, at the same time, there is an identity coming into existence. And it has a certain context and a certain meaning.²