Darfur Actors and the absence of Road Maps
By Mahmoud A. Suleiman
July 16, 2007 — The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of Sudan is reported to be calling the Rebel groups to unify. It claims that two dozens or so rebels groups are stalling the negotiations due to their numerousness. Whilst blaming the Darfur Movements, the regime itself has not put forward its position prior to resumption of new negotiations. We must bear in mind that JEM and UN-AU have already done their part by offering their own road maps.
Abdel AlWahid, a main SLM leader has also outlined his road map. He said in this regard: “our proposition in this regard is to resume the peace talks with the two parties that have rejected Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). The mediators can invite the newly created factions to join one of the two rebel forces in order to enable them to bring their contribution to the negotiations”.
US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, criticised stalling tactics (Cat and Mouse Game) by Sudan that are holding up deployment of reinforced international peacekeeping force in Darfur. She is reported to have made clear growing impatience over delays in deploying the approved Darfur force which was first authorised by the UN Security Council about a year ago. The Tripoli Consensus on the political process for Darfur expressed support for the AU and UN Special Envoys’ activities. It encouraged them to intensify inclusive consultations. Moreover, the Consensus urged Mr. Salim Amed Salim and Mr. Jan Eliasson to rapidly finalise their road-map for renewed negotiations. The participants underlined the urgency to finding a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the Darfur crisis.
In London, 11th July 2007, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon described 2007 described the humanitarian crisis in Darfur as “devastating,” and said the world can no longer accept further delays in the peace process. The tragic cycle of violence has been allowed to continue for too long. I think the people in Darfur have suffered too much”. Not surprisingly, the Collective view of people of Darfur is that the international community and regional countries still need to put more pressure on the government of Sudan to provide an environment conducive to confidence-building before thinking about mediating fresh round of negotiations. The Khartoum regime is renowned for its prevarication, rhetoric and purchase of hirelings to gain time as it did before.
We in the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) applaud and commend unreservedly the position of the Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Pagan Amum in which he described the situation in Darfur and what is happening as “ethnic cleansing and”. We likewise appreciate his solidarity with the plight of Darfur people. His speech before the Sudanese community in Cairo on July 6th 2007, was honest and characterised by righteousness, a rare coin among Sudan’s politicians. This position also tallies well with that of the SPLM special envoy to Darfur, Rev. Clement Janda. The Reverend censured statements made by the SPLM Sudanese Ambassador to USA, John Lueth Ukec, on May 30th 2007 criticising the international community for not treating the Darfur rebels who rejected the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) as “terrorists” and as was agreed in Abuja “The SPLM has never before regarded the issue of Darfur as terrorism; the SPLM regarded the issue of Darfur as an issue of marginalization.”
The above two statements made by Mr. Amum and Rev. Janda have restored confidence and trust of the Dafur people in the SPLM. Earlier, Ukec’s statement shattered credibility of the SPLM among Darfur people and who felt that they have been let down and betrayed by the SPLM of whom Ukec is a member. People of Darfur consider south of Sudan as their “Jubraka”, a backyard farm, in Darfur language, that is an extension of the household and a reliable means of sustenance and survival. Given the explicit sincerity and genuineness shown by our two compatriots Pagan and Rev. Janda JEM is ready now to engage the SPLM for peace in Darfur,.
Our comrades in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM) can rest assured that the demands of the people of Darfur will NOT be charged against gains achieved in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) known as the Naivasha Agreement. The demands of the people of Darfur will be charged against the Northern Sudan’s share of power and wealth. As declared in numerous occasions before, the people of Darfur will never be spoilers of the CPA. They will strive to protect the achievements of the marginalized majority of the Sudan.
Our position has been made crystal clear that the precipitously imposed Abuja peace agreement (DPA) that we rejected in Nigeria in May 2006 should not be the base for the upcoming negotiations. We reiterate this now and again, because some elements in the Khartoum regime still remain callously out of touch with the suffering endured by the people of Darfur and insisting that DPA will be the reference. They are completely unrealistic; they are living on Cloud Cuckoo Land’s costly logic! They are naïve at their best and arrogant at worst. We in JEM, consider the NCP has not learnt lessons from its blunders of the recent past. Their current stance and attitude is pathetic and deplorable. During and soon after Abuja talks, Non-signatories” felt bullied and cowed by the mediators who tried to force them to sign that hateful document, known as DPA in an unprecedented way. At this crucial time, we urge our companions in the SPLM who are partners in the ‘National Transitional Government’ with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) to raise their explicit viewpoint on this matter and say it in a loud voice. Recently, the Political Advisor to the president, Dr. Mustafa Othman accused the SPLM of practicing brokerage in the Darfur issue and that they are (SPLA) not serious in their attempts to resolve the crisis and would offer nothing! The JEM leader, Dr. Khalil Ibrahim, emphasized that “JEM is committed to peace as its ultimate goal,” and added “It is vital that the international community and the mediators are better aware of the demands of Darfurians including their rights to power and wealth-sharing”.
It remains a challenge for all of us to work for sustainable and just peace that is acceptable to all and albeit vital for the people of Sudan in Darfur and Sudan at large.
Dr. Mahmoud.A.Suleiman is the Deputy Chairman for Justice & Equality Movement (JEM). He can be reached at [email protected]
Mayen Dakpiath
Contributions to South Sudan Affairs.
Subject: Contributions to South Sudan Affairs.
Topic: Abyei Protocol.
This Area has been given its own status as a result of tough negotiation between SPLM/A Former Leader: Late Dr. John Garang De Mabior and NCP Representative Ali Othman Taha. It was known by all of us that Jallaba was not convinced that Abyei should have its own Status or Protocol. But, there was a big break through for Abyei to achieved special Protocol via a former US President George W. Bush Special Envoy to negotiation. Namely: John Danforth who gave the suggestion about the Area itself, tribe inhabiting it and distribution of the Petrol or oil that is found in the Area in percentages to various states, tribes and governments. As full details are found in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement Text Book. All what were agreed upon the Protocol by the two Parties and were witnessed by many Nations and NGOS are what the two Parties have been trying to resolved and put them into realty. But, our partner NCP as shown by many sittings is trying to Watergate the implementation of the Protocol of Abyei. This gives me wonder, sometimes and accused the International Monitors as not doing their work in which they were mandated for. Because the Comphrensive Peace Agreement Text Book has mentioned that the role of International Monitors is that the CPA is implemented. So, I do not know if they are blind and can not see what the NCP is doing or deaf and can not hear what NCP is doing. Any way, I can accuse them to have failed on their mission they were mandated for.
Now coming to what could be the solutions of Abyei Protocol after the NCP has refused. SPLM as a Party could be mandated by its Government. I .e
Government of South Sudan (GOSS) should decree unilaterally the Administration of abyei.
But, to follow this procedure, the President of the Government of South Sudan should send his special Envoy to: IGAD Organization, Arab League, African Union, EU, UN and partners to the Peace negotiation like: USA, UK, Italy, Norway South Africa, France and neighbor countries. Talking them that, NCP has made the first violation to the CPA to refuse implementation of Abyei Protocol in term of ABC and its Administration. But, nobody among you that has interfered and adverse NCP to stop its bad games towards the CPA. And now, I am going to make second violation to form the Administration of Abyei from the demarcated border by the Experts. Then, after one week of the coming of Envoy from his mission. The President of the Government of South Sudan should give the decree to the appointment of Abyei Governor. And all the south people should have stand by with our army and who ever is carrying guns.
To me, this is how the issue of Abyei could be treated. It could be up to the International Community then to judged as to who is guilty.
Another suggestion is like as spoke out by SPLM Secretary General Mr. Pagan Amum last week that the case of Abyei Protocol could be referred to the USA. We as South Sudan people have appreciated the idea and asked our southern leaders not to decline from that position and should hurry up to the United States of America with in few days. Because it is known by us all that without Administration we can not achieve our Goals of census and Referendum.
It is also known that Secretary General Statements could be from the words of our President of the Government of South Sudan (GOSS).President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the should honored by the south community. President Kiir is
the true person whom Late Dr. John Garang De Mabior has Heritage the SPLM/A strategy and vision of marginalization who died by Helicopter crash at New side on the 30th after staying in the office for three weeks only. Then President Salva Kiir took the Chairmanship, not by force but by his hierarchy.
He is the man known by all his colleagues and officers to have never corrupt whether materially nor position ally for two decades of struggle to liberate marginalized the Sudanese people. He was number four in the formation of High Command until he has become number one and President of the Government of the South Sudan as now. All of us are proud of him as marginalized people.
He was sworn in as first Vice President of the Republic of Sudan in the Government of National Unity in the North and President of the Government of South Sudan in the south. He will make two years in the office by coming August since he was sworn in and he is successful. Long life President Kiir, Long life SPLM, Long life the Government of Southern Sudan, Long life all the people of South Sudan.
Thanks.
Mayen. D. Ater
Author of this article is base in Abyei he is reach at Dakpiath_ater@yahoo:com