Demonstrators Killed during Doha Forum Civil Society Consultations at Zalengei University

– Contact: Osman Hummaida? Executive Director
– Phone: +44 7956 095738
– E-mail: [email protected]

(2 December 2010) On 1 December, two people were killed and nine injured during demonstrations that took place during a Doha Forum civil society consultation at Zalengei University. The consultations, facilitated by Qatari Foreign Minister and Doha mediator Ahmed bin Abdulla Al-Mahmoud and the UN-AU Joint Chief Mediator Djibril Bassolé, were intended to assess the views of civil society for a comprehensive Darfur peace agreement.

The consultation, hosted by UNAMID in a hall of Zalengei University, was the final leg of a four day visit to Darfur by Al-Mahmoud and Bassolé. A demonstration outside of the hall was planned by an opposition student group. Hundreds arrived, many of who carried signs calling for individual reparations to victims of the Darfur conflict, one Darfur state, and accountability for perpetrators of war crimes. When members of the group tried to participate in the consultations, they were not allowed to enter by security. It is unclear if the mediators attempted to intervene to allow the group access. Members of the group and IDPs identified NCP members present in the consultations and alleged that the civil society and IDP representation was pro-government and did not accurately represent the views of Darfuris. Pro-NCP students began counter-demonstrating, and the two groups clashed.

When the meeting concluded and the delegation left the hall, the mediators appealed to the group in an attempt to prevent a riot. The demonstrators began shouting angrily to the mediators against the Doha process and the work of the UN and AU in Darfur, and demanded that security leave the building. When the delegation left the University, the Central Police Reserves and NISS agents opened fire on the group. Two students were killed, and nine injured. Those killed are:
– Alam Aldeen Ahmed Wardi, a 37 year old Fur businessman from Zalengei
– Aballa Mohamed Yousef Mohamed, a student originally from El Geneina

It is likely that greater than 9 people were injured, but have not sought treatment to avoid arrest by the police. Six members of the group are reported to be in stable condition, while another two who are seriously injured are being treated at Zalengei Hospital. Three police officers were allegedly also injured. Those injured are:
– Aziza Ahmed Musa, Student from El Fashir, North Darfur
– Huda Haj Bashar, Student
– Eiman Abdrahim, Student
– Najlaa Osman Tarko, Student
– Mater Younis, Cleric
– Mohamed Yousif, Student
– Fatih Alrahman Adam, Student

Shortly after the demonstrations were dissolved, police and the NISS entered a female dormitory nearby and fired tear gas canisters into the halls, forcing the building to evacuate. A curfew was imposed across the city and markets closed to prevent movement. Security was deployed throughout the city and Zalengei University was cordoned off to prevent further riots. The police released a statement accusing the demonstrators of being supporters of Abdul Wahid Al-Nur, leader of a faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement who has refused to join the Doha talks until conditions are established for IDPs to return to their homes, and alleged that the group threw rocks at police and UN vehicles when the riot began.

The African Centre condemns the use of violence to disperse the demonstration. Despite the allegations that the demonstrators were throwing rocks, firing into the crowd is an excessive and disproportionate use of force. The Central Police Reserves and NISS should immediately launch an investigation of the incident, although presumably the officers present would be protected by immunities under the National Security Act and the Sudan Police Act. The right to the freedom of expression, assembly, and association is guaranteed through Article 39 of the 2005 Interim National Constitution, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Civil society participation in previous rounds of the Doha talks has been at times counterproductive; representation invited by the Justice and Equality Movement was rejected and IDP leaders travelling to Doha have been stopped in the Nyala airport. The issue of representation has been a main reason for the failure of the Doha talks; if Darfuris and IDPs are not able to voice their own views, any peace agreement reached will lack legitimacy. Further, these rights are necessary elements in ensuring that the peace process in Darfur adequately addresses the concerns of conflict-affected communities, and not just the Government of Sudan and participating rebel groups.