Darfur rebel figure urges Sudan to grant his participation in Arusha meeting
August 2, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Darfur rebel figure who is confined in a UN hospital in Sudan’s Kordofan, has called upon the Sudanese president to secure his participation in a rebels’ meeting organized in northern Tanzania to find out common ground.
“My greatest desire is to help bring peace to Darfur, to enable its people to return to their villages and live together as they did before – in peace and harmony.” Jamous wrote in his letter.
Jamous, who is well respected by all the SLM/A factions, was presented by one of the SLM leaderss, Abdalla Yahya Ahmed, to the AU-UN envoys as member of his delegation. Normally, the Sudanese has to authorize him to leave the hospital of Kadigli in South Kordofan where h is confined since June 2006.
Abdalla told Reuters “Our commanders on the ground are saying that unless Jamous goes to Arusha, they will not go,” adding. “It is very, very important that Jamous comes.”
“I told the U.N. and AU this, but they say it is difficult. I ask why is it difficult? He is in a U.N. hospital,” Yehia, from the SLA-Unity group, said. Abdallah said he was travelling to Arusha in Tanzania, but that his commanders were refusing to go.
Jamous underscored in his letter to the Sudanese president the importance of putting an end to the ongoing war in Darfur.
Referring to the tribal clashes between two Arab tribes Rezeigat Abala and the Terjem in South Darfur, he said “My great fear is that the fighting that we have seen in South Darfur over the last few days – fighting that is beyond the control of any authorities – will spread across the region and cause irreparable damage to our beloved country.”
While Foreign Minister Lam Akol “has promised to look into the matter,” ministry spokesman Ali Sadiq told the Associated Press on Thursday. Sudan considers Jamous’ case “an internal matter” and is not willing to discuss it further, he said.
U.N. Mission in Sudan says he is free to leave the hospital at any time, but it acknowledges that Jamous is danger of arrest or reprisals by the government of he does.
“The minute he leaves, we are no longer responsible for his safety,” said George Somerwill, a spokesman for the U.N. mission in Sudan.
The U.N. has appealed for authorities to grant him safe passage so he can be treated abroad and eventually take part in new peace talks between rebels and the government, Somerwill said.
The former head of UNMIS, Jan Pronk transported Jamous from Darfur to the UN hospital in Kadugli on June 22, 2006 for treatment but also to protect him from Minni Minawi who had detained and tortured him.
International personalities and rights activists, in a petition sent to Sudanese al-Bsahir, have urged his release from the virtual prison where he is confined.
Observers say the reaction of the Sudanese government vis-à-vis to the situation of the key rebel figure Jamous would be an indicator of its seriousness to reach peace in Darfur.
“If Khartoum is really seeking rebels reunification as it says and wants to reach peace in Darfur the release of Jamous in a good opportunity for them” said an international expert.
Below is the full text of the letter sent by Suleiman Jamous to the Sudanese President on July 31, 2007:
– His Excellency Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
– President of the Republic of Sudan
– President’ s Palace
– PO Box 281, Khartoum, Sudan
July 31, 2007
Your Excellency, Mr President
We both believe in the unity of Sudan. We both hold dear the basic principles of Islam.
I humbly request that you grant me leave to attend the upcoming peace meeting in Arusha, Tanzanzia, in accordance with the delegates’ list submitted to the organizers, so that I can help our brothers in Darfur find a reasonable compromise that can save the civilians of Darfur from even greater suffering.
My greatest desire is to help bring peace to Darfur, to enable its people to return to their villages and live together as they did before – in peace and harmony.
My great fear is that the fighting that we have seen in South Darfur over the last few days – fighting that is beyond the control of any authorities – will spread across the region and cause irreparable damage to our beloved country.
Respectfully,
– Suleiman Jamous
– Humanitarian Coodinator
– Sudan Liberation Movement
– c/o Egyptian Military Hospital,
– Kadugli.
(ST)