Darfur Dialogue: Putting the cart before the horse
By Dr Mahmoud A. Suleiman
August 28, 2007 — If the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC) is intended to be a grassroots reconciliation process involving representatives of all the parties and interest groups in the Darfur region, it is logical that sustainable peace should antedate. DDDC is expected to be an inclusive process, free of manipulation by the parties and an essential component of a lasting peace in Darfur.
Sadly, the infamous Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) that was signed in May 2006 in Abuja, Nigeria by the government of Sudan (GOS) and one rebel faction has been widely described as stillborn, in coma or dead. Moreover, its implementation has been in tatters. Since the signing, violence has escalated, deadlines have not been met and the political landscape has become increasingly fragmented.
The GOS never had an intention of abiding by the lame duck, the DPA, or the ceasefire agreements. People of Sudan in Darfur, including IDPs, Refugees, tribal groups, civil society actors and politicians do not believe that the DPA adequately represents their interests. Without doubt, the principal Darfur rebel groups refused to sign the DPA outright. Worse still, disenchanted commanders belonging to the sole DPA signatory faction withdrew their allegiance and returned to the liberated territories fighting themselves, and as reported widely, carrying out atrocities on the civilian population.
The DPA has failed to bring peace and has been equally divisive. Worse still, the DPA has fulfilled the objectives of the NCP Oligarchy ‘The Divide and Rule’ doctrine. It is surprising that even after DPA, the civilians still continue to endure such brutality and massive atrocities at the hands of Sudan Armed Forces and allied militias/Janjaweed. Indeed, old bad habits diehard! Unless the sate lifts its current State of Emergence laws in the region, fear of torture and detention incommunicado will deter civilians to fully and freely participate in the DDDC. Moreover, Articles 50 (Undermining the Constitutional System) and 51 (Waging War against the state) of the penal code both of which carry the possibility of the death penalty are still in force in Darfur.
Rebuilding trust among Darfurians so that Reconciliation could occur across ethnic, religious, cultural and political lines through DDD requires lifting the State of Emergency, protection of freedom of expression, stopping arbitrary arrests of journalists and ensuring lasting peace in Darfur as a way forward to possible means of ending the conflict.
Given the forgoing factors and prevailing bureaucratic fence which the GOS has erected to regulate entry to and exit from Darfur, calling for a credible Darfur-Darfur-Dialogue for reconciliation is unimaginable if not preposterous.
To achieve credible reconciliation in Darfur, sequence of events should take the following course: ceasefire, enduring political settlement based on peaceful negotiations that address protocols on Power and Wealth Sharing along with security Arrangements should come first. The government of Sudan is unwilling to promote the efforts that resolve the Darfur Crisis. The voices that advocate the start of Darfur-Darfur-Dialogue sooner than peace negotiations are likely to obstruct the peace efforts and derail the political process. They are determined to perpetuate the crisis in Darfur through putting the cart before the horse!
* The author is the Deputy Chairman for Justice & Equality Movement (JEM)
He can be reached at [email protected]