Sudan: University of Nyala, South Darfur looted - Al-Qandul Initiative to remove books from the library

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This copy of a Feb 3 post at X microblogging platform says (translated from Arabic by Google): "University of Nyala... The Tatars of the era (the Janjaweed) were here... they wreaked havoc... searching for democracy in the corridors of libraries and classrooms... they looted everything and left the books on the ground". 

A reply says (translated from Arabic by Google): "A scene that tears the heart. Compensating homes and notables is one thing, but compensating legacies and sciences is another matter. What is even more painful is that there is an upcoming generation that has lost the path of the sound educational ladder related to age and stage. How many children lost years of their lives between Hemedti, Hamdok, and Burhan..10:42 AM · Feb 3, 2024".

A sample of comments are noted here below along with photos from the post and a Jan 25 report published nine days before the Feb 3 post at X containing undated news. They are documented here as an example of misleading news on social media. The widely shared post has attracted thousands of responses across the world. At first glance it is not easy to tell whether or not the post is propaganda designed to sow seeds of disharmony.

Note that the report says "Nyala University faced looting and vandalism by unknown assailants at the onset of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in mid-April last year" and that "Nyala University holds significance as one of the largest libraries in the Darfur region".

Also, Nyala youths are "to join the Al-Qandul Initiative in voluntary work to contribute to the restoration of institutions in Nyala impacted by war, emphasizing the collective effort required ... Samira Suleiman, another member of the initiative, called on the university authorities to relocate the salvaged books to a safer location than their current one".

Media studies ought to be taught in all schools worldwide. Right now, one hopes the university authorities will work in the best interest of the people of Darfur and investigate who is behind the Al-Qandul Initiative to remove the books and restore the institutions of Nyala, South Darfur. It is important to ensure that Darfur's educational materials are not interfered with and disappeared in plain sight. Curiously, Darfur's important library and its books were not torched. The books must be kept safe in the right hands.

جامعة نيالا.. تتار العصر (الجنجويد) كانوا هنا.. عاثوا فيها فسادا.. يبحثون عن الديمقراطية في اروقة المكتباتوقاعات الدراسة.. نهبوا كل شيء وتركوا الكتب على الأرض#السودان #sudan pic.twitter.com/d7TKCA5I4D

— Ataf Mohamed عطاف محمد (@atafmohamed3) February 3, 2024

“Ok, what is their interest in entering the library?

To plunder it” 

عبودي ماكس @Abdoalraashdy

“Because they are actually mercenary thieves” 

Abdelrahim0409 @abdelrahim0409

"Ignorance is a disaster"

9:07 AM · Feb 3, 2024

“Maybe they don't know what a library means and what a book means” 

Mohieldin @mohimg

“Boko Haram”

6:45 AM · Feb 3, 2024

"The University of Nyala was looted by citizens living near the university, specifically the Musiyah neighbourhood. A committee was formed from the youth of the Musiyah neighbourhood, and they informed the people in the mosques that anyone who removed anything from the university should return it. The attempt failed, and they tried again for the second time, searching almost all the houses adjacent to the university. They were able to return 50 percent."

8:24 AM · Feb 3, 2024

"That's horrible, I'm so sorry." 

Larky McRory @LMcRory

_________________________

Report at Radio Tamazuj
Dated 25 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Youth initiative restores Nyala University library

(SOUTH DARFUR) - In Nyala town, South Darfur state, a group of young individuals has launched an initiative to restore the Nyala University library, which fell victim to vandalism during the ongoing war in Sudan.

Members of the Al-Qandul Initiative, led by Mohammed Al-Tahir Mohammed, are actively collecting and organizing books and references in the central library of Nyala University, located in the Musiya suburb.

Nyala University faced looting and vandalism by unknown assailants at the onset of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in mid-April last year.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Al-Tahir described the extensive destruction suffered by the university and highlighted the significant efforts made by the youth in the Qandul Initiative.

He stated, “Through the collective endeavours of our youth, we’ve successfully gathered and arranged books and references from the university library. However, there is still substantial work ahead to restore it to its former state.”

Al-Tahir urged the youth of Nyala to join the Al-Qandul Initiative in voluntary work to contribute to the restoration of institutions in Nyala impacted by war, emphasizing the collective effort required for this endeavour.

Samira Suleiman, another member of the initiative, called on the university authorities to relocate the salvaged books to a safer location than their current one.

Nyala University, situated in the Musiya suburb southeast of Nyala, approximately ten kilometers from downtown, holds significance as one of the largest libraries in the Darfur region.

Khalid Mursal emphasized the library's status as a knowledge treasure trove and stated, “Enhancing its appearance signifies progress on the path to recovery.” The restoration efforts are seen as crucial for the revival of this educational institution.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/youth-initiative-restores-nyala-university-library

END

WEBINAR Sudan: Making Sense of a Senseless War

A WEBINAR 'Sudan: Making Sense of a Senseless War' airs live tomorrow (May 23rd) at 15:00 PM UK; 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada).

Join me and @just1nlynch @MakawiRaga and Alex de Waal @WorldPeaceFdtn next Tuesday for our webinar on the current conflict in Sudan, follow this link to register https://t.co/Bb99St3jok

— Willow Berridge (@WBerri85) May 19, 2023

[Ends]

Darfur Sudan war history by Julie Flint & Alex de Waal - Secret World of Friedhelm Eronat and Darfur oil

Darfur Sudan war history by Julie Flint and Alex de Waal

SINCE 2003 when war broke out in Darfur, western Sudan, the humanitarian tragedy in Darfur has stirred politicians, Hollywood celebrities and students to appeal for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. 

Beyond the horrific pictures of sprawling refugee camps and lurid accounts of rape and murder lies a complex history steeped in religion, politics, and decades of internal unrest. 

Julie Flint and Alex de Waal have written the definitive history of the Darfur conflict. Very detailed and thoroughly documented from first hand sources, the book will quickly become a classic and will correct some of the outside misperceptions of who did what to whom and why. Arguments/dp/1842779508

  

Image Darfur: A New History of a Long War (African Arguments) 2nd Edition (April 1, 2008) by Julie Flint and Alex de Waal

The book 'Darfur' traces the origins, organisation and ideology of the infamous Janjaweed and other rebel groups, including the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). It also analyses the confused responses of the Sudanese government and African Union. This thoroughly updated 2nd Edition also features a powerful analysis of how the conflict has been received in the international community and the varied attempts at peacekeeping. 

Julie Flint is a highly regarded film-maker and journalist with many years of experience living in Darfur and travelling in Sudan where she has many Sudanese friends. Alex de Waal is one of the foremost experts on Sudan and the Horn of Africa and executive director of the World Peace Foundation.

Look inside and see more reviews at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Darfur-History-Long-African-

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The Secret World of Friedhelm Eronat and Darfur oil

HERE from the archive of this site Sudan Watch are three must-reads on the secret world of the Chelsea oil tycoon Friedhelm Eronat. The three investigative reports give a good insight into the real reason behind for the Darfur war, to clear the way for oil. “Oil is not a commodity,” Eronat said. “It’s a political weapon.”

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Friedhelm Eronat's oil deals in Darfur, Sudan - Secret World of the Chelsea Oil Tycoon
By Adrian Gatton, London Evening Standard

May 26, 2005

Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2005/07/friedhelm-eronats-oil-deals-in-darfur.html

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Friedhelm Eronat is behind Cliveden Sudan and Darfur oil deal - It's blood for oil in Southern Sudan

June 09, 2005

Here is a transcript of UK Channel 4 News' Jonathan Miller's report entitled "Briton involved in Sudan oil drill" - below which is a rare photograph of Friedhelm Eronat, courtesy Channel 4 News.

Photo: Friedhelm Eronat

Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2005/06/friedhelm-eronat-is-behind-cliveden.html

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Invisible hands: The secret world of the oil fixer (Ken Silverstein)

“Oil is not a commodity,” Eronat said. “It’s a political weapon.”

Invisible hands: The secret world of the oil fixer

July 15, 2009

By Ken Silverstein, Harper’s Magazine, March 2009  

Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2009/07/invisible-hands-secret-world-of-oil.html

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