Former governor appointed head of “wise men” commission for Darfur

February 25, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The former governor of South Darfur Abdel Hamid Kasha was picked to lead the Wise Men Commission of Darfur for Unity and Reconciliation.

Three figures were chosen to be Kasha’s deputies including retired police Major General Mohammed Taher, Al-Amir Mustafa Omer Ahmed Zarrouk and Ahlam Mahdi Saleh.

They also elected Abdel Baqi Daw al-bait as Rapporteur for the commission and Yusuf Abdullah to be his deputy.

The main mandate of the commission is to establish lines of communication with non-signatory Darfur rebels and convince them to join the peace agreement that was signed last July in Doha.

There are approximately 200 members in the commission.

Kasha became a controversial figure following his refusal last month to take up the position of East Darfur governor which Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir has issued a decree appointing him there.

The former South Darfur governor said he will only accept it if enough funding is provided to him in his new role.

But his demands were rejected and he was replaced by another figure.

Violent demonstrations erupted in capital of South Darfur Nyala protesting Kasha’s removal. Bashir blamed the events on those officials in the state whose interests are aligned with Kasha.

(ST)