African Islamist Terrorism

Sudan is a country divided by war. Even though South Sudan succeeded in separating from Sudan and is now a sovereign country, constant violent scuffles break out between the two. Much of it fuelled by the disagreement over just where the dividing line between the two countries should be, and the ensuing claims of each of ownership of the vast oil reserves that just happen to be located there.

Much of Sudan is black African, worshiping their animist faith and Christianity, although among the black Africans there is also Islamic devotion, but it is the Arab Muslims in Sudan who rule, and their rule is one of oppression of other Sudanese. There is the traditional issue of farmers as opposed to herders; the herders are the Arab Sudanese, the farmers the black Sudanese, and competition for land availability is fierce.

Farmers resent the Arab herders taking their animals on their transitory rounds, destroying the arability of the land that has been traditionally farmed. In the Darfurian region, the Sudanese military and its Janjaweed accomplices attacked the black Darfurian farmers whose towns revolted against the oppression of the government, bringing down misery of homelessness, rape, mass murder and atrocities that continue to this day.

Displaced Sudanese, homeless in the desert

The International Criminal Court has indicted Sudanese President Omar al Bashir as a war criminal, but he is welcomed as one of their own by the Arab League. Not one Arab country would ever dream of turning him over to see justice done, for as far as they are concerned he has done nothing to warrant their censure, nor that of the international community.

Burned out Sudanese tank in Darfur

Khartoum gave al-Qaeda sanctuary in 1993 for its headquarters. And Sudan remains a supporter of terrorism and Islamist terrorist groups, including Hamas, allowing Hamas leaders to fund-raise and train on Sudanese soil. Sudan facilitated the transit of Iranian-produced Fajr 5 long-range rockets smuggled into Gaza and fired toward Israel during the November 2012 Pillar of Defence conflict.

The relationship of co-operation between Sudan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas clearly marks Sudan as a supporter of terrorist Islamist activities, but this is hardly surprising given the brutality and terror that Sudan has inflicted on its own black African population. Sudan continues to serve as a hub for Iran's terrorist training, financial investments and ferrying of Iranian weapons to Jihadi groups.

In Canada, Hamas is designated a terrorist group. Canada's diplomatic relations with Iran are non-existent. And Canada has a wary attitude toward Sudan, recognizing its role in the region as an Islamist nation, itself involved in terrorist activities, and aiding others similarly involved. Canada has placed sanctions on Iran, and toward Sudan its attitude is a focus on civil conflict within the country.

 "Improved bilateral relations between Canada and Sudan are contingent on the Government of Sudan's willingness to take steps toward maintaining a peaceful relationship with the Republic of South Sudan and its other neighbours, ending the current violence in Darfur and the transitional areas, and improving the overall human rights situation across the country."

Which hasn't stopped Vancouver-based Statesman Resources -- which owns 50.1% of an African subsidiary, Statesman Africa -- from doing robust business in Sudan. Statesman Africa was awarded the major percentage of an oil exploration area in north-west Sudan in July 2012, and is in the process of being formally registered in Sudan and opening an operational office in Khartoum.

Clearly a business relationship at odds with the political and diplomatic stance taken by the Government of Canada. And clear evidence of a low standard of morality in Canada-based companies such as Statesman Resources.