SLM’s al-Nur proposes plan to demilitarize El Fasher.
July 4, 2024 (EL FASHER) – Abdel Wahid al-Nur, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), launched an initiative on Wednesday to address the dire situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. The initiative calls for the withdrawal of all fighters and the handover of security responsibilities for the region’s historic capital to the SLM.
Since May 10th, El Fasher has witnessed violent clashes between the Sudanese army and its allies from armed movements that signed the Juba Peace Agreement. These clashes have resulted in the deaths of many civilians and the displacement of thousands.
The fighting between the warring parties, compounded by the siege imposed on El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has caused a deep humanitarian crisis. There are increasing warnings of famine threatening the population of North Darfur state.
In a statement issued late Wednesday, seen by “Sudan Tribune,” Abdel Wahid Al-Nur stated, “We are putting forward an initiative to address the humanitarian situation in El Fasher and its surroundings, and to protect the remaining citizens and infrastructure. This requires the withdrawal of all fighting forces and their allies from El Fasher and its surroundings, as the city has no military value to any party.”
Al Nur clarified that the SLM forces, as a neutral party, would assume the responsibility of protecting citizens, providing security and reassurance, and working with others to address the situation caused by the war. They would also facilitate the entry of international humanitarian organizations to assist the victims who are facing death by bullets, hunger, and disease.
He suggested that El Fasher be transformed into a demilitarized zone and a centre for managing humanitarian affairs and relief for all areas of Darfur, Kordofan, White Nile, and Al-Jazirah. This is due to its geographical proximity, the presence of paved roads, and the potential to efficiently deliver relief and humanitarian aid to other regions of Sudan.
He expressed hope that all parties to the conflict would respond to the humanitarian and national initiative unconditionally, prioritizing national interests over personal and organizational ones.
Al Nur, whose movement maintains neutrality in the conflict, urged strict adherence to international humanitarian law and the ethics of war, emphasizing that the safety of Sudanese citizens should be a top priority.
He called on the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, the African Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States, neighbouring countries, and all national entities to support the humanitarian initiative to address the dire situation in El Fasher and its surroundings.
Since the outbreak of clashes in El Fasher last May, the SLM has received large numbers of displaced people from El Fasher in the areas of Tawila and Kabkabiya, as well as parts of Kutum.