Tanzanian paper calls for end to Darfur crisis
Text of editorial entitled “The Darfur crisis must end for Sudan to be a peaceful state” published by Tanzanian ruling CCM party newspaper Uhuru
Aug 25, 2005 (Dar es Salaam) — The conflict in Darfur, southwestern Sudan is one of the biggest conflicts that have faced Africa recently, and in which thousands of people have been killed and their lifestyles disrupted by the so called Janjawid fighters.
When the killings became known to the world not so long ago, it was alleged that the uncivilized “Janjawid” were Arab fighters backed by the government of Sudan, but the government denied involvement with them. it also denied giving them weapons and supporting them in the killings.
It was at the time of the peace accord reached early this year between the southern rebels led by the late John Garang, that the Darfur conflict was appreciated in greater measure with the international community taking more robust measures towards resolving it.
The Darfur crisis was further spotlighted when the AU recently appointed world-renowned diplomat, Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, as mediator in the conflict as well as in the way Sudan, despite claims that it is arming the Janjawid, fully committed itself to cooperate with the AU and other international organizations to find a solution to the conflict.
At a press conference early this week, Dr Salim exuded great hope that the crisis would be resolved, when he spoke of good pointers towards a solution.
Although Dr Salim did not elaborate on the same pointers, It is hoped that the Sudan government has realized the need for its citizens to live in peace and would thus not like to involve them in civil war following the end of the southern Sudan war which spanned close to 20 years.
According to Dr Salim, talks on the crisis are to be held in Abuja, Nigeria in the next three weeks. He has already announced the agenda which will include equitable power-sharing, resource distribution and defence plans. These are important issues which require stability, patriotic will and great efforts towards national unity.
As well as hoping for successful talks, there is need for all stakeholders to see peace for Darfur as the key issue and to focus on the one target of ending the conflict so that all the people of Darfur, and ultimately the whole of Sudan can live in a peaceful and united country.