Rebel leader says to struggle for Darfur separation if peace talks fail
September 17, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The leader of the rebel Justice and Equality (JEM) said today that if the new Darfur peace talks fail, the rebels want their own separate country.
“The next step Darfur will ask for, not only for self-determination, but clearly we want separation and we want our own country,” he said.
“If there is no solution, no peace, then why we live together?”
Khalil said he believed the Sudanese government was looking for a way out of the conflict but at minimum cost.
Following his rejection of Abuja peace agreement of May 2006, JEM leader repeated his demand for new peace talks without any reference to the signed deal. However, Khartoum and the rebel faction that signed the peace deal have both so far refused to accept any changes or additions to the unpopular agreement.
Khalil said that Abuja agreement didn’t provide self-rule for the people of Darfur. While JEM demands autonomy for Darfur as one region besides power sharing, wealth sharing on the federal level.
Sudanese government and its partner in the national unity government, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) reject such perspective because it conducts to renegotiate 2005 signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
Last May the US Administration added the name of Khalil Ibrahim to its list of sanctions saying that he is an obstacle to the realization of the peace in Darfur.
However, JEM analysis of the Darfur crisis is mainly constructed on the concept of marginalization of the periphery by the center. Only the reform of the federal power and the redistribution of the national wealth will allow a lasting peace in Darfur and other marginalized regions, according to JEM.
An idea already called “New Sudan” in the SPLM political literature.
His new shift from autonomy to separation reflects a growing claim among Darfur elite in exile but also reflects huge frustration among Darfur people in front of the intransigence of a government that didn’t want to respond to their demands.
Experts estimate 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million forced from their homes in 4-1/2 years of conflict.
The government armed Arab militias to quell the revolt. The militia, known locally as Janjaweed, stand accused of a campaign of rape, murder and pillage, called genocide by Washington.
(ST)
Samson Liberty
Rebel leader says to struggle for Darfur separation if peace talks fail
It can be upto the global historians,antropologists and scientists to analyse what (JEM)khalil Ibrahim beleives about Darfur to become as a New Sudan entity (free state).
History is repeating itself,focusing on real human nature and originality before the era of civilization,colonialism,christianity or islam,back to Furs history of creation and kingdomship,this to change into free and democratic society.
Now Khalil has his own rights of humananity to be free or remain in bondage.
David Mayen Deng
Rebel leader says to struggle for Darfur separation if peace talks fail
My heart aches when I hear/read that another revolutionary movement is fighting not for changing the current situation in Sudan, but for secession. Revolutions are fought for greater objectives not for such narrow outlooks as separation and formation of smaller nation states that will never fit into the new trend in international relations brought about by globalization. This is not a world for smaller entities – I repeat; this is not a world for smaller political and economic entities. Even if Darfur, Nuba Mountains, or the bigger South Sudan for that matter, decides to go its own- which will be an obvious betrayal to the cause of the marginalized people of Sudan who will have to continue the struggle alone- they will face more difficulties in fitting into older systems than they think.
Some argue that better separation than war. I find that narrow-mindedness and consistent of some elements of selfishness. Why not fight all your lives for posterity to enjoy the fruits of your struggles in a New Sudan of everlasting peace and justice? Why do you want to enjoy the fruits of peace yourselves, even when what you stood for could be compromised? For a true revolutionary, separation can never be better than revolutionary struggle. But a revolution that dreams small is not worthy of being called a revolution.
Let us analyze where Sudan stands at the moment. Our country is over 80% ethnically African; and the whole South Sudan (A little over one third I strongly believe) is obviously against the hegemony of the Arabs/Arabised of the center since before independence. It was later joined by the Nuba Mountains and the Angasana Hills. The Red Sea is in turmoil; and last but never least, the great revolutionary people of Darfur- who continue to reshape the center’s strength sine pre-independence times. The Africans of the far North are increasingly disillusioned and could join the struggle if we extend the link.
You blind marginalised people of Sudan, can’t you see that we are closer than ever to craeting a situation of an all engulfing war before capturing the center and creating what we believe should be the right order? Are you tired after coming so close to claiming Sudan back to majority rule? Is peace so dear to you that you shake in fear with every sound of fire? Do you shake in fear with the sight of the fall of your children? know this, If the Nile waters did not change to red, then the prophesy would not be fulfilled and you will never see peace even with your cowardly shaped landlocked political entities that you want to create. You will be conquered and your development will be piecemeal and frustrating – for the more experienced economic and political entities that you would seek to join will dominate you and develop at your expense. You will have no option but to comply with their demands or remain land-locked.
The Vision of Dr. John was to create a New Sudan where justice prevails. He would continue the struggle even if South Sudanese cowardly decided to stop at the border and break away into what they don’t understand. He did not have a time-frame for the achievement of his dream which is the only realistic dream a Sudanese has ever had and fought for. Garang would have died of old age fighting against the center if the one above had decided not to rapture him…. When he came to Khartoum triumphant, you came out in your millions dragging your tails with euphoria to have a glimpse of his face. To see John Garang – who was a brave reflection of your cowardly souls. He alone gave you identity. He was a Dinka, Nuer, Shiluk, Nuba, Fur and Arab combined in one spirit. He came to you as a dream to show you the New Sudan. You all saw him; you all saw the New Sudan but are still consumed with your fears and love of peace. Oh hypocrites, why did you fight with him? Why did you name your sons after him, when you cannot even understand what he stood for? Why did you waste your energies and blood for what you knew not? Go, go, go and drag your tails between your legs and live in your small lands. Let your tribes in which you were born with no choice of yours define who you are, when the whole world lives in nation-states that are composed of more complex and different ethnic, religious and tribal communities than your own. Let the fear of death scatter you- cowards!
When SPLA/M, JEM and SLA/M call for separation, arguing that “it is better than war”, then we really have a leadership crises after the death of Garang. That shows how they all look at Sudan from narrow angles. Consider the combined military and political potency of these organizations; which is created by their base and never leadership, you will not be able to avoid thinking of how close we are to New Sudan. And because of myopic leaders, we decide (as regions) to jump-ship and abort the mission at the final hours; yes, in the over all scheme of things and historical definition of time, we are at the final hours before New Sudan appears on the horizon and we all smile. If the South turns to face Sudan again (instead of the new direction it has been forced to face by shortsighted leaders) and continued extending its hands to the other Africans of Sudan (who happened to be marginalized too)- indeed to all true Sudanese the like of Yasir Arman who are torn by the cowardice of the new leaders- then a new situation will be created- or, to put it right, the old situation created by Garang and his genuine disciples will be revisited and revived. However, if Khartoum succeeds in dividing you into regions; and you buy that, then separate without being able to conquer the center of power as other strong revolutions did in many countries. Dividing Sudan into numerous countries and leaving the center to enjoy the fruits of centuries of marginalization, oppression, slave trade, and Genocide would be nothing but failure- to put it right, total defeat.
Finally, if our today’s accidental leaders of the SPLA/M, JEM and SLA/M truly understand what the marginalized Sudanese dream of, and want to survive their positions, they better reflect the true aspirations of Sudanese instead of embracing defeatism. Repeating such rhetoric as better separation to war would be the immediate sign of lack of revolutionary qualities and vision, hence inability of those who reiterate them to lead. And if patriotic Sudanese people like Arman, Amum, Alor, Nyal, Iga, Oyay, Chirillo, Piang, Abdul-Aziz, and their like, stand-by idly and watch the fruits of their labor, which are closer to be attained than ever, being jettisoned by those who speak for “separation as better than war”, then history will not, and cannot, exonerate them either. True leaders would go back to the bush if the dreams they fought for are genuinely the best for their people – Garang was ready to go all the way even without South Sudan. He did not only show that through deeds; he was explicit about it. Reading the above names once again, I hope another revolution is inevitable, which will be shorter this time given the new dynamics created by rebellion in Darfur. Otherwise, if they choose peace over New Sudan, which I cannot see, then Sudan is fertile; and the course of nature will inevitably create other leaders who will see the New Sudan.
David Mayen, The Center for International Human Rights Advocacy, The University of Denver
David Mayen Deng
Fighting for a New United Sudan is the only Viable Option
My heart aches when I hear/read that another revolutionary movement is fighting not for changing the current situation in Sudan, but for secession. Revolutions are fought for greater objectives not for such narrow outlooks as separation and formation of smaller nation states that will never fit into the new trend in international relations brought about by globalization. This is not a world for smaller entities – I repeat; this is not a world for smaller political and economic entities. Even if Darfur, Nuba Mountains, or the bigger South Sudan for that matter, decides to go its own- which will be an obvious betrayal to the cause of the marginalized people of Sudan who will have to continue the struggle alone- they will face more difficulties in fitting into older systems than they think.
Some argue that better separation than war. I find that narrow-mindedness and consistent of some elements of selfishness. Why not fight all your lives for posterity to enjoy the fruits of your struggles in a New Sudan of everlasting peace and justice? Why do you want to enjoy the fruits of peace yourselves, even when what you stood for could be compromised? For a true revolutionary, separation can never be better than revolutionary struggle. But a revolution that dreams small is not worthy of being called a revolution.
Let us analyze where Sudan stands at the moment. Our country is over 80% ethnically African; and the whole South Sudan (A little over one third I strongly believe) is obviously against the hegemony of the Arabs/Arabised of the center since before independence. It was later joined by the Nuba Mountains and the Angasana Hills. The Red Sea is in turmoil; and last but never least, the great revolutionary people of Darfur- who continue to reshape the center’s strength sine pre-independence times. The Africans of the far North are increasingly disillusioned and could join the struggle if we extend the link.
You blind marginalised people of Sudan, can’t you see that we are closer than ever to craeting a situation of an all engulfing war before capturing the center and creating what we believe should be the right order? Are you tired after coming so close to claiming Sudan back to majority rule? Is peace so dear to you that you shake in fear with every sound of fire? Do you shake in fear with the sight of the fall of your children? know this, If the Nile waters did not change to red, then the prophesy would not be fulfilled and you will never see peace even with your cowardly shaped landlocked political entities that you want to create. You will be conquered and your development will be piecemeal and frustrating – for the more experienced economic and political entities that you would seek to join will dominate you and develop at your expense. You will have no option but to comply with their demands or remain land-locked.
The Vision of Dr. John was to create a New Sudan where justice prevails. He would continue the struggle even if South Sudanese cowardly decided to stop at the border and break away into what they don’t understand. He did not have a time-frame for the achievement of his dream which is the only realistic dream a Sudanese has ever had and fought for. Garang would have died of old age fighting against the center if the one above had decided not to rapture him…. When he came to Khartoum triumphant, you came out in your millions dragging your tails with euphoria to have a glimpse of his face. To see John Garang – who was a brave reflection of your cowardly souls. He alone gave you identity. He was a Dinka, Nuer, Shiluk, Nuba, Fur and Arab combined in one spirit. He came to you as a dream to show you the New Sudan. You all saw him; you all saw the New Sudan but are still consumed with your fears and love of peace. Oh hypocrites, why did you fight with him? Why did you name your sons after him, when you cannot even understand what he stood for? Why did you waste your energies and blood for what you knew not? Go, go, go and drag your tails between your legs and live in your small lands. Let your tribes in which you were born with no choice of yours define who you are, when the whole world lives in nation-states that are composed of more complex and different ethnic, religious and tribal communities than your own. Let the fear of death scatter you- cowards!
When SPLA/M, JEM and SLA/M call for separation, arguing that “it is better than war”, then we really have a leadership crises after the death of Garang. That shows how they all look at Sudan from narrow angles. Consider the combined military and political potency of these organizations; which is created by their base and never leadership, you will not be able to avoid thinking of how close we are to New Sudan. And because of myopic leaders, we decide (as regions) to jump-ship and abort the mission at the final hours; yes, in the over all scheme of things and historical definition of time, we are at the final hours before New Sudan appears on the horizon and we all smile. If the South turns to face Sudan again (instead of the new direction it has been forced to face by shortsighted leaders) and continued extending its hands to the other Africans of Sudan (who happened to be marginalized too)- indeed to all true Sudanese the like of Yasir Arman who are torn by the cowardice of the new leaders- then a new situation will be created- or, to put it right, the old situation created by Garang and his genuine disciples will be revisited and revived. However, if Khartoum succeeds in dividing you into regions; and you buy that, then separate without being able to conquer the center of power as other strong revolutions did in many countries. Dividing Sudan into numerous countries and leaving the center to enjoy the fruits of centuries of marginalization, oppression, slave trade, and Genocide would be nothing but failure- to put it right, total defeat.
Finally, if our today’s accidental leaders of the SPLA/M, JEM and SLA/M truly understand what the marginalized Sudanese dream of, and want to survive their positions, they better reflect the true aspirations of Sudanese instead of embracing defeatism. Repeating such rhetoric as better separation to war would be the immediate sign of lack of revolutionary qualities and vision, hence inability of those who reiterate them to lead. And if patriotic Sudanese people like Arman, Amum, Alor, Nyal, Iga, Oyay, Chirillo, Piang, Abdul-Aziz, and their like, stand-by idly and watch the fruits of their labor, which are closer to be attained than ever, being jettisoned by those who speak for “separation as better than war”, then history will not, and cannot, exonerate them either. True leaders would go back to the bush if the dreams they fought for are genuinely the best for their people – Garang was ready to go all the way even without South Sudan. He did not only show that through deeds; he was explicit about it. Reading the above names once again, I hope another revolution is inevitable, which will be shorter this time given the new dynamics created by rebellion in Darfur. Otherwise, if they choose peace over New Sudan, which I cannot see, then Sudan is fertile; and the course of nature will inevitably create other leaders who will see the New Sudan.
David Mayen, The Center for International Human Rights Advocacy, The University of Denver