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Sudan Tribune

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Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan

March 22, 2010 (CAIRO) – A coalition of Arab rights groups from 20 countries called on the Arab League to “show leadership on Sudan” by getting involved during the potentially volatile upcoming year of elections and referenda.

The groups ask the Arab states to take steps like prioritizing a ceasefire in Darfur and supporting the inclusion of Arab civil society in monitoring elections and the upcoming referenda.

The call comes prior to the Arab Summit, to be held on March 26, 2010 in Seret, Libya, in an open letter addressed and delivered to Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.

The letter comes out of a meeting more than 100 civil society organizations in Morocco, held March 6-7, 2010. It reminds the Arab leaders that during 2009 more than 2,500 people were killed in South Sudan and 391,400 displaced while in Darfur there were 40,000 new displacements in recent weeks and at least 60% of the population continues to require humanitarian assistance.

Moataz El Fegiery, Executive Director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, said that the letter signals civil society organizations’ concern throughout the Arab world. “We call on the Arab League to act now before the situation in Sudan becomes irreparable,” he said.

“There is a window of opportunity to prevent the horrors of war from returning and forestall an escalation of the humanitarian crisis,” the letter states, “but it is closing fast. The governments of the Arab world have a responsibility to ensure peace in Sudan given that their fates are intertwined and that regional stability must be preserved.”

In its specifics, the letter asks to ensure that Darfuris returning to “model villages” are doing so voluntarily and securely. It asks that the recommendations of the African Union High Level Panel of ex-South African President Thabo Mbeki are implemented, including addressing impunity in Darfur. And it asks that the peacekeeping forces in Sudan engage in contingency planning for the months ahead.

Albaqir Al Mukhtar, Director of Al-Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development in Khartoum said that “The League, which is one of the oldest regional inter-governmental organizations in the world, must show it is able to address one of the most important challenges of our time in order to have credibility and respectability among the Arab population in general and the people of Sudan in particular.”

Another activist, Zahir Hilal, Coordinator of the Arab Coalition for Darfur, said that the upcoming elections in Sudan pose a “great opportunity” to attain peace and stability Sudan.

Among the signatories are: the National Organization for Human Rights – Syria; Moroccan Bada’il Forum; Iraqi Network for Human Rights Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights; Sudanese Children Society; Lebanese Association for Transparency; Association Créations Formations Initiatives Maroc; Tadamon Council network – Egypt; Kuwaiti Society for Human Rights; National Council for Liberties – Tunisia; National Committee for Human Rights – Qatar; Emirati Society for Human Rights – United Arab Emirates.

On Sunday, the Organization of the Islamic Conference hosted a donor meeting in Cairo. The state of Qatar pledged $200 million for rehabilitation of Darfur and overall the event raised US $841 million.

That figure fell about $1.2 billion short of the fundraising target, since Western delegations refrained from making commitments citing security concerns. Western powers are pushing Darfur rebels to sign and the government to sign final peace deals before the April 11 elections.

(ST)

12 Comments

  • Dinka Boy
    Dinka Boy

    Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan
    Dear Southerners,

    There is something stinking here with Arab nations.
    You guys just meet by yourselves without South Sudanese or other observers and proceed talking about the South that they are not going to govern themselves. Who tell you guys. We have been in these problem ever since while you Arab are on this issues till now. We have enough with Khartoum government.
    Thansk

    Reply
  • Oduck Bol
    Oduck Bol

    Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan
    When north announced Jahed movement in Sudan and killed 3millions southerns,you were so happied,but when it is right time for southerns to decied for their own lif style you group yourslves to provent fredom of southerns.

    Okay,why you did not group yourselves when George Bush took a shower in your home in Irag?.Because south sudan does not have long range miseils,jet fighter. South does not want an interaption.

    Please leave us alone.

    Reply
  • Jupiter Maguangdit
    Jupiter Maguangdit

    Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan
    Hi the so called Arab rights groups,

    Can you leave us alone?

    Where were you when the people of Southern Sudanese were almost finished by your brothers in the north of the country led by Al-Bashir?

    Where were you when the South Sudanese displaced population was dying of starvation in the north?

    You hypocrites, what have you done to help the Muslim Community in Darfur who are being under attacks from your Janjaweed militias led by Al-Bashir?

    Please stop talking about Southern Sudan!

    Reply
  • Akuma
    Akuma

    Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan
    Islam was first begin in Eygpt 640’s reaching Sudan in 642’s. So, you think that preaching will make Sudan as an Arab country. Be wise enough when reasoning South Sudan because Southern Sudan is full with patriotic and nationalists that can claims thousands hectres where were taken by Arab countries like Eygpt and Libya.

    Whether interefere in Sudan Election or not? South Sudan will be independent nation in 2011.

    Dr. Akuma,
    Chicago, USA

    Reply
  • Time1
    Time1

    Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan
    The whole Arab world need guidence not only Sudan.

    Reply
  • Kuany Dak
    Kuany Dak

    Arab rights groups call on Mideast leaders to help guide Sudan
    Dear all,

    Friends and friends of people of south sudan, no matter what Arabs says and unite atlarge, south sudan and its people of have rights to do whatever they deem is necessary to promote peace in the whole country.

    South sudan separation from the north is necessary step to peace and lasting resolution of peace in Sudan.

    Arabs meeting will not change anything for my people as we are united and stronger ever. Vote for Saliva and Riek Machar, south is belonging to us and no longer Arabs domination, 54 years of colonization from Arabs North is over and no more game play. Enough is enough.

    Reply
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