Arman condemns international silence over violence in Darfur

March 16, 2010 (PARIS) — Yasir Arman, SPLM candidate for president of Sudan, condemned today the silence of international community over violence against civilians in Jebel Marra, Darfur.

Arman concluded on Tuesday a series of meetings held in the three states of Darfur, where he visited Al-Daein and Nyala in South Darfur on Sunday and was in El-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state yesterday, Monday, and held his last meeting in El-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur.

The candidate and his supporters said security services tried to hinder the local population from attending his public meetings. In Nyala, according to the SPLM, 80 buses of supporters were prevented from reaching the meeting. The IDPs had been also prevented from attending Arman’s rallies in the three towns.

“We condemn the large silence of the concerned international parties on the violence exerted against civilians and their properties,” said Arman, who was speaking to Sudan Tribune from El Geneina. He further said he was particularly concerned by the repression practiced against human rights activists and civil society organization.

The fighting between the Sudanese army and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur (SLM-AW) – a rebel group which has its bases in the mountainous area of Jebel Marra – over the past few months has forced hundreds thousands of civilians to flee the area.

Sudanese authorities say the fighting is caused by differences between factions within the SLM-AW and deny taking part in the conflict. The rebels refute Khartoum’s claims saying no rebel faction can use warplanes or deploy such a large number of troops and material. They also say some breakaway commanders are being used by the army during the current offensive.

The UNAMID had been silent for several months over the attacks saying it had no access to the Jebel Marra area because the Sudanese army prevents its presence in the areas where the military operations are ongoing, while also the SLM rebels refuse to cooperate with the mission saying it has a weak mandate and failed to protect civilians.

The US special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration in February during an interview with Sudan Radio Service in Juba urged the combatants in Jebel Marra to stop fighting each other adding only civilians are suffering from this situation.

Arman said during his visit that people complained much from the international indifference as security and humanitarian conditions are worsening on the ground.

He also denounced the arrest of SPLM members in the restive region as the closure of the party’s premises in Al-Daein. “We call for the immediate release of SPLM members in El-Fasher and Nyala including Umda Hussein Sajo and Ibrahim Bakheit,” he said.

Arman called to lift the emergency law from the settled areas where the elections will be conducted. “I realized that no free and fair election can be held under the emergency law implemented in Darfur,” he said.

He also called to involve the African Union and the United Nations in the monitoring of the April elections saying their presence is important to ensure the participation of all the Darfurians in the election.

The SPLM deputy chairman, James Wani, yesterday reiterated in El Fasher the position of his party in support of a negotiated solution for the seven year crisis. Meanwhile, SPLM secretary general Pagan Amum stressed that they would achieve balanced development in all parts of Sudan, and national reconciliation.

PROPOSALS TO END DARFUR CONFLICT

The SPLM candidate further said the three day visit to the troubled region was a plebiscite by Darfurians against the policies of the National Congress Party (NCP) which is only interested in continuing the conflict there.

“The National Congress Party which is part of the conflict is not qualified to end the conflict and achieve a needed reconciliation between Darfurian tribes,” said Arman adding “tribal conflict in Darfur is the project of the NCP and not Darfur’s people.”

Arman also said a lasting solution for Darfur could not be attainable without creating a new center of power in which the Darfurian people as with others in the South, East and North of Sudan are involved.

“We must implement the Naivasha Agreement to all regions of Sudan and the making of a new center of power in which the regions take part.”

Arman also said if elected President he will establish unilaterally one region in Darfur — without requiring this to be negotiated with the rebels — stressing that the region historically was one entity and the people have the right to have their own regional administration.

He also pledged to expel the newcomers from the Arab tribes that migrated recently to Darfur and settled in the lands of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“Tribes that came from beyond the borders of Sudan must immediately exit from the territory of native tribes,” he said, adding that they may be granted status as refugees or guests in the country in accordance with international refugee laws, “but not at the expense of the people of the region”.

(ST)