I have never been able to understand the concept of Sanctions. The last few instances of sanctions on countries have been on Zimbabwe where people are starving to death, North Korea where people are starving to death and now possibly Sudan where people are starving to death already. These are ones that I have observed, there are bound to be others. Can anybody explain to me how this works? Let's penalise a country and its citizens when they are already suffering huge economic hardships.
Is it another instance of the general ignorance that the developed world has towards other nations that are not members of their little elite group of economic powerhouses? The thinking is, if we had sanctions against us we would really suffer, so lets do this to these little countries. We are sure to get some kind of sensible reaction from the countries' leaders. Please! Neither President Bashir, nor Robert Mugabe will even blink at the news, or stop maltreating their citizens for one second or even nanosecond. These leaders have absolutely no regard for their people. They don't care whether their people suffer food shortages, death from uncontrolled militia attacks, disease from shortages of clean water and total disregard to human dignity and life. It is not on their register of concerns.
Possible the western countries further do not realise that these leaders do not have to be concerned about elections as they rigged theirs in the first instance. They are not accountable to an electorate. They are not accountable to anybody. They pay off a support system with other words possibly the military or other political people. Mugabe just distributed a few, actually a couple of thousand, white owned farms to his cronies to keep his support base happy. I am sure that Bashir has given away land, wealth or power to the nasties that are hounding, killing and terrorising the citizens of Sudan, and Chad now.
International sanctions will not bring about the required changes. There is always some other country that will consider Zimbabwe's mines, for instance, as an important resource, such as China and will throw money at Mugabe. I lived in South Africa during many years of international sanctions. There were no shortages. There was always some country prepared to ship goods to South Africa or buy goods from the country and yes it had to be via via and no country of origin on the stamps etc. Black market trade on a grand scale. A country can survive for years. And the whites didn't even feel it. The black South Africans, which the whole sanctions effort was supposed to support, were the ones who suffered. Sanctions in effect stopped the economy from growing at any decent rate which meant no jobs.
Sanctions have a habit of punishing the very people they are supposed to help. What would really help? Nothing much actually. Military interference is not a good idea. Numerous examples should warn against this, Iraq being a primary one. Unless the people have the will and strength to fight for their own rights, no external force can do it for them. One could possibly try and punish the leaders by attaching their foreign investments, and believe me they have much money stashed away in foreign accounts. They don't trust their own economy themselves. Hurting the pocket can help. Regrettably, there will be somebody or some country elsewhere who will offer to look after Mugabe's assets.
What else not to do. Do not interfere by giving money and support to some underground individual who says he can make a difference. This is a typical American strategy which has backfired in many instances. American support of Saddam Hussein a few years ago being a fairly good example of how not to do it.
So what to do? The western countries need to provide more resources for the refugees. Give the armies something good to do for a change. The armed forces have the best equipment to move needed goods and services. Many aid agencies are hampered with transport issues. Bring in the Air Forces. They have planes that land on a handkerchief.
The best and most effective relief efforts I ever saw was the support South Africa provided Mozambique a few years ago, during one of that country's worst floods. The army moved in providing food, water and shelter to refugees. Army helicopters rescued people where they had escaped to, in trees, on top of houses on 'islands' in the floods. And the aid was immediate and where it was needed the most.
But for us individuals who have no clout to move our governments into doing the sensible, honourable thing by sending in aid, what can we do. Dafur is developing into another Rwanda. Lets not close our eyes to this tragedy. And if the only thing we can do personally is to donate to Oxfam or any other relief agency near you, then lets do that.
» left by Avis Ward(11,479) Avis Ward (1 year 259 days ago.)
Wow, Anja! An excellent article! How quickly and superbly you answered the call to read more from you. Thank you! Like you, I have never understood sanctions because of the reasons given by you. This is yet another view of politics that leaves a bitter taste in one's mouth and pain in one's soul. Your article was factual, introspective and asked poignant questions. You also provided answers to combat the backlash of sanctions against the ones who will feel it most. Thank you. We must join together in prayer to bring about a change. Keep writing and take special care! Respond to this comment
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(6,290) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (1 year 257 days ago.)
Like Avis, I agree a very good article. Sanctions are all part of the facade that is the U.N. It really does not impact those who have because they go around the corner and play with even those who support the sanctions. It is the poor, the needy and less fortunate that pay the price for the political game. In my opinion it is one of the sad games of life and perhaps if people like you keep writing then just maybe the sin of it all will become recognized? Good job.
» left by Anja from Brighton, UK (1 year 257 days ago.)
Hi Robert
Thanks for your comment. I liked what you wrote about Obama as well.
Anja Respond to this comment
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