april 11, 2006

The Complex Relationship between China and Sudan

On the surface, the global energy demand and Sudanese genocide seem to have very little in common with one another.   The oil needs oil impact the entire world, but the Sudanese crisis seems contained within its borders.  In today’s global environment, however, these two dynamics have become increasingly interconnected.  Greater energy demands from China, India, and Russia have fueled the development of the Sudanese oil industry.  Their investments in Sudanese oil fields and pipelines have in turn propelled Sudan to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Increased trade and economic growth is generally a positive development, but because of the ethnic cleansing in Sudan, the U.S. and most U.N. countries have imposed economic sanctions against it.   The purpose of the sanctions is to stifle economic growth and cut off the financial resources of the corrupt government and military forces. These sanctions directly counteract the Chinese and Russian oil trade with Sudan.

The conflict thus unfolds between the U.S. and U.N. efforts to stop Sudan's conflict, and the huge financial incentives of China and Russia to enable its financial success.  It's not that these countries support genocide, but they want to ensure a strong oil supply and profitable Sudanese investment.   To date, the money from foreign countries and oil corporations has been far more powerful than the efforts of foreign governments and non-governmental organizations that are calling to an end of the genocide.  

In China's defense, Liu Jianchao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman told the Associated Press, "We are making efforts to restore peace in Sudan. We hope both parties can implement the agreements reached. We hope to see a stronger role for the African Union in solving the Sudan problem." 

The problem with this statement is that if anything, China appears to be strengthening its ties with Sudan. Liu didn't speak to allegations that China is protecting the Khartoum government for its own oil needs, and considering the "goodwill visit" between the Chinese and Sudanese defense ministers just two weeks ago, it's clearly working with the Khartoum government.    Furthermore, China has remained staunchly protective of Sudan within its role on the U.N. Security Council, including vetoes that would increase economic sanctions against Sudan.

It's not that the international community isn't trying to stop the genocide, but they're not able to provide a strong solution because of conflicting interests.   The problem with the current dynamic is that the situation in Sudan isn't going away, and the rest of the world seems powerless to stop it.   If China, Russia, India, and other countries won’t stop fueling Sudan's economic growth, how can the U.S., U.N. or any international entity begin to impact on this complex situation?   Clearly, the U.N. cannot tolerate the ethnic cleansing in Sudan.  But what can it do? 

While the numbing images of Sudan's orphaned children and slaughtered bodies seem so far away, the global oil dependency and skyrocketing gas prices hit very close to home.   In spite of all of the political rhetoric and hopefulness, there haven't been any substantive changes in Sudan, and in some ways it's getting worse.   Perhaps reframing the Sudanese genocide to demonstrate its impact on the global community could galvanize the international community to stop this ethnic cleansing.

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