SLM-Abdelshafi condemns Darfur attacks

1. The SLM draws attention of the international community that during the last few days the government of Sudan (GoS) has embarked on the commission of a yet another heinous military campaign against the innocent civilian population in Darfur.

2. The government army and the Janjaweed militia are conducting intensive military operations in Haskanita in south Darfur state and also in the villages surrounding it since last Thursday, 4th October. Haskanita was in fact razed from the map of Darfur and that all civilian installations owned by the people of the area were indiscriminately targeted in an orchestrated campaign of destruction and looting. GoS used aerial bombardment and ground attacks in this operation. The Janjaweed militia groups were also involved in torching huts and looting belongings of the people of Haskanita. Water points and food stocks were systematically destroyed.

3. As a result of this military operation at least 200 people including defenceless women and children were killed in cold blood and many more were injured or maimed for life. This military operation has also caused the forcible displacement of not less than 10 thousand individuals from Haskanita and the villages surrounding it. They now live in precarious conditions without food or shelter during this month of Ramadan where many among these victims are observing the holly Muslim month of fasting.

4. Reports have also indicated that GoS is launching another attack against Muhajeriya area in south Darfur state. Muhajeriya and the surrounding area was the target of a series of violent attacks in the recent past. The area is host to over 100,000 internally displaced persons who live under impossible conditions in miserable camps for displaced at the edge of town.

5. The recent GoS recent military action in Darfur further complicated the deteriorating security situation in the area. By carrying out this massive crime against civilians in Darfur, GoS once again sends a clear message to the international community that it has no intention to negotiate a peaceful political solution for the armed conflict in Darfur.

6. The ongoing military operations in Darfur reaffirm the SLM views that the parties to the conflict are not yet prepared for genuine negotiated solution. Guaranteeing a successful outcome of the forthcoming peace negotiations with the Gos by creating a favourable environment is a must. The recent GoS attacks have reinforced our earlier position, vis-à-vis the date specified (October 27th, 2007) to jumpstart the political process. There can be no political process while the GoS is resorting to a military solution to the Darfur conflict. The AU and UN therefore need to reconsider their decision to convene the peace negotiations on Darfur as scheduled for 27th October 2007.

7. The world community is failing the people of Darfur, by giving a free rein to the GoS to continue on with its policy of erasing, completely, Darfur from the world map. The SLM calls on the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council to convene an urgent meeting/session to discuss the attack on Haskanita and Muhajeryia, as well as to discuss all other major incidents of violence that took place in Darfur during the last two months. They should also see to it that all their previous resolutions on the situation in Darfur – especially their calls on the GoS to cease all military operations and aerial bombardments– are fully respected and implemented.

While the world community is sitting idle watching the destruction of Darfur, its (Darfur) people on the other hand are losing both, hope and faith; a situation that is reminiscent of the world community’s failure in Rwanda.

Ahmed Abdelshafi Toba, Chairman
Sudan Liberation Movement/Army
Date: October 9, 2007

Copy to:

– H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the UN
– H.E. Dr. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairman of Commission of the AU
– Member states of the African Union Peace and Security Council
– Member states of the UN Security Council

For any further information about this statement, please contact: Nouri Abdalla at: 00256-77-453-5304