STEVE CLEMONS - Steve Clemons is Washington editor at large for The Atlantic and editor in chief of
Atlantic LIVE. He writes frequently about politics and foreign affairs.
July 9th -- South Sudan Day
JUL 9 2011
I look forward to getting an invitation from the future Republic of South Sudan Ambassador to the US to join him or her on South Sudan's "national day" - which will be July 9th, or today - when this new state came on to the international stage.
This morning, US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice helped punctuate South Sudan's birth with an impressive statement of support. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell - who signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on behalf of the US - is with her at the new statehood ceremonies along with Congressman Donald Payne and Ambassador Princeton Lyman, who doggedly worked this Sudanese civil war towards a partly constructive track.
Rice committed America to standing with South Sudan as it works through a mountain of challenges that will test the solvency of its creation - but importantly, she left "responsibility" with the South Sudanese. That's exactly right.
America has to get out of the business of being on the line for how another nation behaves and operates - responsibility for results lie with leaders and governments and institutions they create with the support of citizens.
Rice also went beyond the thin, usually vapid characterization of 'democracy' as the act of voting, which Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass has correctly dismissed as just "ballotocracy."
America has to get out of the business of being on the line for how another nation behaves and operates - responsibility for results lie with leaders and governments and institutions they create with the support of citizens.
Rice also went beyond the thin, usually vapid characterization of 'democracy' as the act of voting, which Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass has correctly dismissed as just "ballotocracy."
It is important for diplomats like Susan Rice and Colin Powell to remind Americans and others around the world that institutions define democracy, not just the vote - and these institutions require a lot of investment and time to evolve.
The US is paralyzed politically on sensible global financial aid that birthing a new country will require - but there is a lot of capacity building and governance best practices that can be shared. But that costs money too.
As Rice indicates in her speech, the success of South Sudan is not guaranteed; there will be lots of tests - but at least so far, the diplomats - rather than the military - have scored a big win in one of the world's rawest spots.
The US Congress needs to step back and reconsider its frequent, irresponsible disdain for diplomacy, international institutions, and yes - even global aid dollars.
Bono, whose work I admire, shared in a private reception before his Baltimore U2 concert two weeks ago, that American aid to the world is small -- but nonetheless leverages phenomenally important complementary resources, partnerships and enduring connections.
I don't believe in aid for aid's sake - and I believe in national interest-driven action plans that achieve results. But I think that what has been hatched in South Sudan is in our collective global and national interests - and that it's important to note when diplomats, who are so often accused of dithering, actually accomplish something 'big.'
At least for the moment -- this day of July 9th -- launching South Sudan is big.
As Rice indicates in her speech, the success of South Sudan is not guaranteed; there will be lots of tests - but at least so far, the diplomats - rather than the military - have scored a big win in one of the world's rawest spots.
The US Congress needs to step back and reconsider its frequent, irresponsible disdain for diplomacy, international institutions, and yes - even global aid dollars.
Bono, whose work I admire, shared in a private reception before his Baltimore U2 concert two weeks ago, that American aid to the world is small -- but nonetheless leverages phenomenally important complementary resources, partnerships and enduring connections.
I don't believe in aid for aid's sake - and I believe in national interest-driven action plans that achieve results. But I think that what has been hatched in South Sudan is in our collective global and national interests - and that it's important to note when diplomats, who are so often accused of dithering, actually accomplish something 'big.'
At least for the moment -- this day of July 9th -- launching South Sudan is big.
