US Senator calls for release of Darfur rebel leader
August 7, 2007 (WASHINGTON) – US senator Russ Feingold (WI) called on the US adminstration to pressure Khartoum for the release of a rebel leader.
Senator Feingold in a letter to US special envoy Andrew Natsios described Jamous as “uniquely qualified qualified to serve as a bridge between all parties to the negotiations”.
This week US actress Mia Farrow wrote a letter to Sudan’s president Omar Al-Bashir offering to swap places with Jamous.
However US state department spokesman Tom Casey described the offer as “naive” and said that it would not help.
Yesterday Sudan said it will allow Jamous to be moved without risk of arrest if the international community guarantees he will not rejoin armed rebels in Darfur
Below is the Text of the letter by Senator Russ Feingold
The Honorable Andrew Natsios
Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan
United States Department of State
Washington DC, 20520
Dear Ambassador Natsios,
The meeting convened in Arusha by the UN and AU Special Envoys, to bring together the disparate rebel groups, is now over and I am hopeful that the rebels’ agreed negotiating position will remain intact. As you know, the outcome of this meeting is an important development that can be boosted by the recent adoption of UNSC Resolution 1769. Sustained commitment by all parties, on both the peacekeeping and political fronts, is essential to secure lasting peace in Sudan.
In my opinion, the absence of SLM humanitarian coordinator, Suleiman Jamous, was quite notable at the recent Arusha meeting. Mr Jamous’s integrity and experience, his personal commitment to finding a peaceful solution to Darfur’s crisis, the respect he commands among rebel leaders, and the affection in which he is held by civilians, make him uniquely qualified to serve as a bridge between all parties to the negotiations, but especially to ensure the rebels maintain their position of unity.
Going forward, Suleiman Jamous’ participation will be important to help ensure that the peace process re-Iaunched in Arusha can be consolidated and that is it done so inclusively and successfully. His engagement, particularly with the disparate rebels, will inject critical credibility into the next stage.
In addition, there are purely humanitarian reasons for Mr Jamous’s release. As I am sure you know, he is an elderly man in poor health, needing treatment that he cannot obtain in Kadugli. The Sudanese Government recently indicated that it would consider releasing Jamous, and noted to journalists that you were the only one who had ever requested his freedom and that that had been months ago.
I sincerely appreciate your ongoing efforts to bring peacekeepers and peace to the people of Darfur, and I was pleased to learn that that you had requested Suleiman Jamous’ release. Once released, Jamous can help to consolidate this essential political process by helping to build upon the agreements made at Arusha and instill confidence in the process among rebel groups.
Going forward, I urge you to do your utmost to secure Mr. Jamous’ release from hospital internment in Kadugli and to immediately reiterate and amplify your appeal to the Sudanese Government for Mr. Jamous’ release and for consent to his participation in both informal and formal peace talks. I also urge you to engage the UN and AU on Jamous’ release to ensure that they, too, are pressing the Sudanese government.
Again, I thank you for your commitment to peace in Sudan and support for those who share this objective.
Russell D. Feingold
United States Senator
Cc: The Honorable Jendayi E. Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs