Exclusionary politics escalate armed conflict in the regions of Sudan

Sudan Human Rights Organisation- CAIRO (SHRO-CAIRO)

JULY 4, 2006 — Disturbing news informed that al-Khalas, a new political and military alliance led mainly by the Justice and Equality Movement, launched a violent attack on the town of Humra al-Sheikh in Northern Kordofan. In retaliation, a government air force attacked al-Khalas forces in the outskirts of the town, thus increasing the causalities among the civilian population.

The Sudan Human Rights organization condemns strongly the military action of both troops.

The Organization is gravely concerned for the development of civil war in the regions of Darfur and Kordofan, which has been seriously extended by the reported attack on the Humra peaceful community.

SHRO-Cairo believes that the rebel or government attacks will not resolve the political dispute on the issues of power or wealth with the central or the regional governments of Sudan.

The Government of National Unity (GONU) and the rebel groups are strongly urged to enforce established cease-fire agreements in close collaboration with the African Union and the United Nations.

In anticipation of African cooperation, the most recent African Summit (Banjul, June 2006) was expected to recognize the role to be played by the Sudanese opposition and civil society groups to end the Darfur Crisis in full collaboration with the GONU and the rebel groups.

The government’s exclusionary policies of the opposition groups must be effectively discouraged, rather than supported, by the concerned regional and international powers.

SHRO-Cairo urges GONU and the rebel groups to cooperate with the African Union and the United Nations, as well as all political parties, trade unions, and civil society groups of the Sudan to convene a National Constitutional Conference – the only possible path to end the country’s crisis, in peace.