A resolution has passed that suspends Syria's inclusion in the Arab League, with Yemen and Lebanon the only countries voties against the resolution. The fact that Sudan was one of the countries voting for Syria's removal is one that was not ignored by Syrian diplomats.
Up until this vote, Sudan has been a strong supporter of the Syrian government, with President Bashir being quoted last month as saying that the issues in Syria (where some 3,500 people have been killed over protests in the last year), were nothing more than a foreign conspiracy aimed at attacking a nation with strong Arab beliefs. Even more irritating for Syria's diplomats is that they were one of the loudest voices backing President Bashir when he was indicted by the International Criminal Court for the Sudanese governments involvement in Darfur. And not only did Sudan vote yes for Syria's removal, but according to diplomatic sources speaking to Reuters, they convinced Somalia and Mauritania to vote yes as well. All of this being said, it is still not all that surprising that Sudan would act this way. Syria's government seems to be standing on its last legs, and with the situation playing out as violently as it is, it is not shocking that Bashir and Sudan would pull this move, regardless if Syria was quick to help them in the past.
David Johnson
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