Is it World failing Darfur or Sudan’s government?

By Watts Roba Gibia Nyirigwa*

April 12, 2006 — The world community has been serious on Darfur crisis since when the situation erupted in 2003, but Sudan’s continuous insistence that there is no problem in Darfur, and its adamant position not to allow even the humanitarian aid workers to the region, and its accusation to the foreign media for exaggerating situation in Darfur, contributed negatively on the entire process. When the world started consistent pressure and describing situation in Darfur as genocide, ethnic cleansing and proposed mobile UN forces to Darfur to replace AU forces in order not to repeat Rwanda two, Sudanese government swiftly started general mobilization of local population against the UN, bullying AU and formation of Darfur Jihad Organization to fight anticipated UN forces to Darfur. Not only that, but the government utilized the cartoons against Prophet Mohamed as catalyst to provoke the Sudanese sentiment against the proposed UN forces to Darfur. And went on to say that the intervention of UN forces to Darfur is suspicious and has got a hidden agenda to disintegrate the country, while the NCP policy is clearly driving the country into disintegration, and preferred Arab countries intervention and funding rather than UN or Western community. With government’s mobilization and row over Darfur, the environment for humanitarian aid workers and NGO’s in the ravaged region has become hostile with enormous risks, and some were ordered to leave the region due to non-renewal of their permit. Despite the torment of people in Darfur and Arab backing to Khartoum, yet we saw no humanitarian aid workers from Arab countries assisting their Muslim brothers and sisters in Darfur except the UN and Western community endangering their lives to bring back a smile to the lips of Darfurian people, regardless as whether they are Muslims or not, but their goal is purely humanitarian to save the human lives despite the intimidating environment they are working in.

Here, we have to have a comprehensive look into the whole situation and the world efforts being exerted in order to lift the misery of Darfur people. But despite the numerous efforts, there are counter forces trying to lay obstacles in the entire process. These counter forces has become obvious in the current dispute between the UN and Sudan’s government which has reached its peak by prohibition of UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs Egeland to visit Darfur to evaluate and raise funds to world’s most devastated region. Closing door before Egeland was a clear indication that, NCP was determined to step up its confrontation with the international community and to make Darfur closed area before UN and humanitarian organizations, not to see the chaotic situation on the ground, and it also indicates Khartoum’s shaky policy. This is a serious mistake from Sudan’s government and is sending a wrong message to the donors. Thus, we should not let cartoons sentiment against Prophet Mohamed stood as a barrier when it comes to agony of people. If Prophet Mohamed were to be here, surely He would have reacted differently on the issue of cartoons. Because the message of Prophet Mohamed was very clear, as He was sent to restore peace, stability, equality and unity among the mankind regardless of gender, race and color. He never preached murder or torture of innocent people, but rather preached equality between men whether poor or rich, and has compassion and mercy on everyone, and that was clear when he first established his government in Medina, there was non-Muslims but yet lived peacefully under his rule. Surely if Prophet Mohamed were to be here, he would be against misery of people and all evil acts done in his name, and against murdering of innocent people by proclaiming his name first! Thus, Islamic religion is a religion of tolerance, compassion and equality which we have to abide to its decent ethnics with true faith and not extremism and radicalism to achieve our political satisfaction. The UN top official Egeland said, he was blocked to visit Darfur and not welcomed to Khartoum because of his Norwegian nationality due to the issue of cartoons, and this is not an excuse, and said my message to Sudan is “help us to help your people”. Egeland doesn’t come to Sudan as a Norwegian official, but as an international community representative to see at spot the situation on ground, how much fund to be raised and to evaluate the general environment of humanitarian aid workers in the region, but he was not welcomed. In my view, it is Sudanese who are failing their brothers and sisters in Darfur by jeopardizing and blocking world’s efforts in the region, as to help you, you have to help yourself or otherwise all the efforts will be in vain. The world is doing its part and all the concerned parties in Darfur, have to do its part and cooperate fully with the international community to reach to the bottom of this calamity. The international community requires cooperation from all parties and passable environment, most importantly security, as the safety of humanitarian workers has to be guaranteed to facilitate its humanitarian work. Each country has got the right to protect its sovereignty and interests, but not with adamant position and restrictions aiming to throw out all humanitarian aid workers, and blocking UN access to have a complete perception of the situation, can’t help to save the people in desperate need. Sudan and African countries are part of this international community, but who is failing their own people, world community or their governments? This is the issue has to be addressed, as the current misery and torment of African peoples were a direct result of their government policies, as the leaders were scary of their political future. And I believe Egeland was correct when he said “it is the inability for some leaders to stand up to truth of what’s really happening in their country”. And that is obvious in Sudan’s case, as the power struggling within the NCP and other political parties, has victimized the entire Sudanese masses. There was no clear stand or policy embarking on solving the country’s problems, but instead every political party is much concerned with its political survival and position. Now after banning top UN Humanitarian official to Darfur and due to his increasing and sharp criticism to Sudanese government, he has received official letter that he is welcome! This is a pre-matured, trembling diplomatic approach and withering stance, which is sending a contradicting message to world community, and suspicion on the credibility of Khartoum’s government toward ending humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

* Watts Roba Gibia Nyirigwa is a Sudan Tribune columnist, he can be reached at [email protected]