A UN mission report yesterday says new attacks on NGOs occurred Jan 11.
Kofi Annan warns in his latest report Jan 7 to the Security Council on Darfur that the overall security situation in the region remains poor and political negotiations between the Sudanese Government and rebel groups have reached a stalemate.
The report says aid workers are increasingly at risk of violent attacks, armed groups are re-arming in defiance of previous Council resolution, and the conflict appears to be spreading into the neighbouring state of Western Kordofan.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Time for a no-fly zone over Darfur in Sudan?
A report via Reuters Jan 13 says Sudan defends its use of military aircraft in Darfur.
Bearing in mind that a UN resolution in November said Khartoum had the primary responsibility to protect its population -- and Sudan did everything it could to ensure any AU troops entering Sudan were low in number and hamstrung -- and Jan Pronk, UN envoy to Sudan, called on Khartoum a few days ago to stop military flights -- here is the excuse Sudan's foreign minister Moustafa Osman Ismail gave for carrying out a recent air attack:
Sudan's foreign minister Moustafa Osman Ismail (AP).
"The government used aircraft. According to the Security Council resolution, the government is responsible for protecting routes and protecting civilians," Ismail told reporters in Cairo. "If the African forces there cannot protect routes and protect civilians, then the Sudanese government must undertake that," Ismail said, adding that the government had a right to use planes in an area larger than France.
Ismail said the government did not carry out aerial bombardments but would investigate such accusations. "When we use aircraft, we do not use aerial bombardment. We do not use planes that drop bombs. This is different from helicopter gunship aircraft," he said. Ismail said that if key routes were cut because of rebel ceasefire violations then the government would not be able to deliver food and other supplies to the population.
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Hopefully, a no-fly zone will be one of the options under consideration by the UN Security Council when the findings of the UN investigation into genocide in Darfur are made public around January 25. As reported here earlier, Darfur peace talks were tentatively set for January 28 but another press report mentioned February 1. See how the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into years, while 10,000 die in the camps each month?
Bearing in mind that a UN resolution in November said Khartoum had the primary responsibility to protect its population -- and Sudan did everything it could to ensure any AU troops entering Sudan were low in number and hamstrung -- and Jan Pronk, UN envoy to Sudan, called on Khartoum a few days ago to stop military flights -- here is the excuse Sudan's foreign minister Moustafa Osman Ismail gave for carrying out a recent air attack:
Sudan's foreign minister Moustafa Osman Ismail (AP).
"The government used aircraft. According to the Security Council resolution, the government is responsible for protecting routes and protecting civilians," Ismail told reporters in Cairo. "If the African forces there cannot protect routes and protect civilians, then the Sudanese government must undertake that," Ismail said, adding that the government had a right to use planes in an area larger than France.
Ismail said the government did not carry out aerial bombardments but would investigate such accusations. "When we use aircraft, we do not use aerial bombardment. We do not use planes that drop bombs. This is different from helicopter gunship aircraft," he said. Ismail said that if key routes were cut because of rebel ceasefire violations then the government would not be able to deliver food and other supplies to the population.
- - -
Hopefully, a no-fly zone will be one of the options under consideration by the UN Security Council when the findings of the UN investigation into genocide in Darfur are made public around January 25. As reported here earlier, Darfur peace talks were tentatively set for January 28 but another press report mentioned February 1. See how the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, and the months into years, while 10,000 die in the camps each month?
US Ambassador Danforth says sanctions are still on the table
Going by what US Ambassador John Danforth and others say in a Washington File report Jan 12 there is no mention of a no-fly zone for Darfur.
The following is an excerpt from the report that gives an insight into what is being put forward to the UN Security Council. Who knows how much will change around Jan 25 when the UN makes public the findings of its investigation into genocide in Darfur:
Mr Danforth says that "sanctions are still on the table." Sanctions were discussed during the session, Danforth noted. Even though some council members are opposed to sanctions as a general principle, "it may be possible to fashion" sanctions in a way that would be agreeable to a majority of council members, he said.
The peace agreement, he pointed out, "has ended a war that has lasted more than two decades and that has claimed more than 2 million lives, and people are pushing that off the front page as though nothing had happened last Sunday [January 9]. Something big happened last Sunday and it was due in large part to the engagement of the United States in this process."
Pronk said that the North-South peace process can be applied to Darfur and "it must."
"We can make it work," he said. "It is hard to imagine that the peace dividend promised by the Nairobi agreement will be reaped without an end to the suffering in Darfur," Pronk said. "International aid will not flow and, more important, in Sudan itself, the achievement will turn out to be vulnerable." As long as there is war in some part of Sudan, resources will be spent on weapons, not welfare, he said, and "investors will be reluctant, entrepreneurs will hesitate, young people with brains and initiative will want to leave the country, displaced people will wander around."
Offering several suggestions that could encourage a peace agreement, Pronk said that the government and rebels in Darfur must be pressured, reasoned with, and offered alternatives to the status quo.
Suggestions included: As a show of good will, the government and rebel movements should all withdraw behind reasonable and well-defined lines with African Union troops moving in to protect the areas; the government should make a new start in disarming the Jingaweit; the rebel movement should agree not to block or disrupt peaceful seasonal movements of nomadic tribes and their cattle; and the parties must identify practical means to provide basic needs such as food to their forces in order to lessen the urge to steal, loot and kill.
He urged the international community to "do whatever is required to accelerate the rate of deployment of AU troops."
Danforth also mentioned the possibility of adding international police protection in the camps, and Pronk suggested that the number of human rights monitors in the region be increased from 20 to 150.
The security situation in Darfur is bad and the humanitarian situation poor, Pronk told the council. Violence has spread into the camps for displaced persons and is directly affecting humanitarian workers as well; refugees are not returning in sufficient numbers to plant sustainable crops; and livestock is being lost on a huge scale, he said.
The following is an excerpt from the report that gives an insight into what is being put forward to the UN Security Council. Who knows how much will change around Jan 25 when the UN makes public the findings of its investigation into genocide in Darfur:
Mr Danforth says that "sanctions are still on the table." Sanctions were discussed during the session, Danforth noted. Even though some council members are opposed to sanctions as a general principle, "it may be possible to fashion" sanctions in a way that would be agreeable to a majority of council members, he said.
The peace agreement, he pointed out, "has ended a war that has lasted more than two decades and that has claimed more than 2 million lives, and people are pushing that off the front page as though nothing had happened last Sunday [January 9]. Something big happened last Sunday and it was due in large part to the engagement of the United States in this process."
Pronk said that the North-South peace process can be applied to Darfur and "it must."
"We can make it work," he said. "It is hard to imagine that the peace dividend promised by the Nairobi agreement will be reaped without an end to the suffering in Darfur," Pronk said. "International aid will not flow and, more important, in Sudan itself, the achievement will turn out to be vulnerable." As long as there is war in some part of Sudan, resources will be spent on weapons, not welfare, he said, and "investors will be reluctant, entrepreneurs will hesitate, young people with brains and initiative will want to leave the country, displaced people will wander around."
Offering several suggestions that could encourage a peace agreement, Pronk said that the government and rebels in Darfur must be pressured, reasoned with, and offered alternatives to the status quo.
Suggestions included: As a show of good will, the government and rebel movements should all withdraw behind reasonable and well-defined lines with African Union troops moving in to protect the areas; the government should make a new start in disarming the Jingaweit; the rebel movement should agree not to block or disrupt peaceful seasonal movements of nomadic tribes and their cattle; and the parties must identify practical means to provide basic needs such as food to their forces in order to lessen the urge to steal, loot and kill.
He urged the international community to "do whatever is required to accelerate the rate of deployment of AU troops."
Danforth also mentioned the possibility of adding international police protection in the camps, and Pronk suggested that the number of human rights monitors in the region be increased from 20 to 150.
The security situation in Darfur is bad and the humanitarian situation poor, Pronk told the council. Violence has spread into the camps for displaced persons and is directly affecting humanitarian workers as well; refugees are not returning in sufficient numbers to plant sustainable crops; and livestock is being lost on a huge scale, he said.
Sudan urges complete deployment of AU troops to Darfur
An Associated Press report Jan 13 quotes Sudan's foreign minister Moustafa Osman Ismail Thursday as saying his government is awaiting the arrival of more AU troops to monitor a truce in Darfur. Ismail, responding to questions about government military action in Darfur despite a Nov 9 ceasefire, said Khartoum had to do something to protect the civilians.
"If the African troops can't defend the roads and civilians, the government must do that," he said. "We can't leave the rebels to cut the roads that reach (the 5 million civilians in Darfur)."
Ismail said Khartoum is investigating allegations that government planes bombed rebel positions in Sayeh, outside the North Darfur state capital of El Fasher, on Jan 3.
"This is not Sudanese government policy. If we are absolutely sure, the punished will be the officer who carried this out, or his leader who ordered this," Ismail told The Associated Press. "If it has happened, it is a mistake."
Also, he said: "... All this reaffirms the unwavering position of the Sudanese government, because we know that without dealing with the Darfur issue, we will not be able to benefit from the momentum of the peace signing in the south. Therefore, we are concerned to reach peace in Darfur."
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Note, Khartoum argued against ANY troops entering Sudan to help provide security. It set the maximum limit of 3,000 AU soldiers on condition the troops were hamstrung without a full mandate to protect. It is interesting to see a Sudanese offficial quote the number of 5 million civilians in Darfur. Where are all these people and how are they managing? 5 million is roughly the number of people living in London. With regards to the last sentence above, replace the word "momentum" with "development aid" to get at the truth of what Ismail is really saying. As reported here earlier, the massive amount of development aid promised to Sudan by the international community will only be paid out when progress has been made on Darfur, not directly after the signing of the recent peace treaty.
"If the African troops can't defend the roads and civilians, the government must do that," he said. "We can't leave the rebels to cut the roads that reach (the 5 million civilians in Darfur)."
Ismail said Khartoum is investigating allegations that government planes bombed rebel positions in Sayeh, outside the North Darfur state capital of El Fasher, on Jan 3.
"This is not Sudanese government policy. If we are absolutely sure, the punished will be the officer who carried this out, or his leader who ordered this," Ismail told The Associated Press. "If it has happened, it is a mistake."
Also, he said: "... All this reaffirms the unwavering position of the Sudanese government, because we know that without dealing with the Darfur issue, we will not be able to benefit from the momentum of the peace signing in the south. Therefore, we are concerned to reach peace in Darfur."
- - -
Note, Khartoum argued against ANY troops entering Sudan to help provide security. It set the maximum limit of 3,000 AU soldiers on condition the troops were hamstrung without a full mandate to protect. It is interesting to see a Sudanese offficial quote the number of 5 million civilians in Darfur. Where are all these people and how are they managing? 5 million is roughly the number of people living in London. With regards to the last sentence above, replace the word "momentum" with "development aid" to get at the truth of what Ismail is really saying. As reported here earlier, the massive amount of development aid promised to Sudan by the international community will only be paid out when progress has been made on Darfur, not directly after the signing of the recent peace treaty.
Chad-Sudan: A third rebel movement the NMRD has appeared in Darfur
A report by IRIN Jan 13 says the main rebel groups in Darfur view the newly formed rebel group National Movement for Reform and Development (NMRD) as a stooge of the authorities in Khartoum.
The report explains the NMRD claims to be a breakaway movement from JEM, one of the main rebel groups in Darfur. NMRD leader said his group broke away from JEM in April last year because it disagreed with Tourabi, an Islamic fundamentalist politician, over the rebel movement. Tourabi helped Sudan's current president, seize power in a 1989 coup and subsequently became an influential figure in his administration. However, the two men fell out 10 years later and Tourabi went into opposition.
Note, the report also says that Khartoum's talks with the NMRD in Chad appear to have made rapid progress: the two sides agreed a ceasefire on 17 December and on 3 January they struck a deal to promote the return of refugees from Chad to areas which the NMRD claims to control.
Ahmad Allami, an adviser of Chadian President Idriss Deby who has acted as a mediator in several rounds of peace talks with all three rebel movements in Darfur, said the NMRD were a force to be taken seriously. He estimated that the movement had about 1,000 fighters on the ground. "Contrary to what has been said, the NMRD do represent something in Darfur as they managed to prompt a number of Sudanese refugees to return to Sudan," Allami told IRIN.
A western diplomat based in N'Djamena also cautioned that the breakaway rebel movement should not be dismissed too lightly. "Our indications are that the NMRD should not be under-estimated since a sizeable part of JEM's military capacity appears to be under their control," he told IRIN.
The main rebel groups in Darfur view the NMRD as a stooge of the authorities in Khartoum. "This group belongs to the Sudanese government ... it is very strange that the government negotiates with itself," said a JEM negotiator at the currently suspended Darfur peace talks in Abuja. (Photo IRIN)
The report explains the NMRD claims to be a breakaway movement from JEM, one of the main rebel groups in Darfur. NMRD leader said his group broke away from JEM in April last year because it disagreed with Tourabi, an Islamic fundamentalist politician, over the rebel movement. Tourabi helped Sudan's current president, seize power in a 1989 coup and subsequently became an influential figure in his administration. However, the two men fell out 10 years later and Tourabi went into opposition.
Note, the report also says that Khartoum's talks with the NMRD in Chad appear to have made rapid progress: the two sides agreed a ceasefire on 17 December and on 3 January they struck a deal to promote the return of refugees from Chad to areas which the NMRD claims to control.
Ahmad Allami, an adviser of Chadian President Idriss Deby who has acted as a mediator in several rounds of peace talks with all three rebel movements in Darfur, said the NMRD were a force to be taken seriously. He estimated that the movement had about 1,000 fighters on the ground. "Contrary to what has been said, the NMRD do represent something in Darfur as they managed to prompt a number of Sudanese refugees to return to Sudan," Allami told IRIN.
A western diplomat based in N'Djamena also cautioned that the breakaway rebel movement should not be dismissed too lightly. "Our indications are that the NMRD should not be under-estimated since a sizeable part of JEM's military capacity appears to be under their control," he told IRIN.
The main rebel groups in Darfur view the NMRD as a stooge of the authorities in Khartoum. "This group belongs to the Sudanese government ... it is very strange that the government negotiates with itself," said a JEM negotiator at the currently suspended Darfur peace talks in Abuja. (Photo IRIN)
UNHCR stress that they have no plans to repatriate any refugees in the short term
The above post that features a report from IRIN JUan 13 points out that Tine in Chad is the border settlement where the NMRD signed a deal that was supposed to lead to refugees returning voluntarily to Darfur.
Also, the report explains that Ahmad Allami, an adviser of Chadian President Idriss Deby who has acted as a mediator in several rounds of peace talks with all three rebel movements in Darfur, said the NMRD were a force to be taken seriously. He estimated that the movement had about 1,000 fighters on the ground. "Contrary to what has been said, the NMRD do represent something in Darfur as they managed to prompt a number of Sudanese refugees to return to Sudan," Allami told IRIN.
A UNHCR official in eastern Chad said some refugees had been making brief trips across the border to benefit from money and assistance packages offered by the Sudanese authorities to returning refugees. But once they had grabbed their cash and food parcels they hurried back into Chad, he added.
"All refugees questioned by the UN say they do not want to go back," he told IRIN. He stressed that UNHCR had no plans to repatriate any of them in the short term.
Note: The report states nearly a third of Darfur's six million inhabitants have been forced to leave their homes, mainly as a result of raids on black African villages by Arab nomads grouped in the pro-government Janjawid militia movement; and the UN estimates that 1.65 million are internally displaced and a further 200,000 have fled to Chad.
The Sudanese refugees in Kourbileke, eastern Chad 4 Feb 2004 - Chad-Sudan: Darfur's invisible refugees living rough in eastern Chad - IRIN.
Also, the report explains that Ahmad Allami, an adviser of Chadian President Idriss Deby who has acted as a mediator in several rounds of peace talks with all three rebel movements in Darfur, said the NMRD were a force to be taken seriously. He estimated that the movement had about 1,000 fighters on the ground. "Contrary to what has been said, the NMRD do represent something in Darfur as they managed to prompt a number of Sudanese refugees to return to Sudan," Allami told IRIN.
A UNHCR official in eastern Chad said some refugees had been making brief trips across the border to benefit from money and assistance packages offered by the Sudanese authorities to returning refugees. But once they had grabbed their cash and food parcels they hurried back into Chad, he added.
"All refugees questioned by the UN say they do not want to go back," he told IRIN. He stressed that UNHCR had no plans to repatriate any of them in the short term.
Note: The report states nearly a third of Darfur's six million inhabitants have been forced to leave their homes, mainly as a result of raids on black African villages by Arab nomads grouped in the pro-government Janjawid militia movement; and the UN estimates that 1.65 million are internally displaced and a further 200,000 have fled to Chad.
The Sudanese refugees in Kourbileke, eastern Chad 4 Feb 2004 - Chad-Sudan: Darfur's invisible refugees living rough in eastern Chad - IRIN.
Sudan's tribal leaders and other groups to be included in political dialogue on Darfur
Continuing on from the above post that features a report by IRIN Jan 13, here is an excerpt that hints at including other groups besides the SLA and JEM in the political dialogue to bring peace to Darfur:
Briefing the UN Security Council on Tuesday this week, Jan Pronk, the UN envoy to Sudan, made no reference to the NMRD as a player in the Darfur conflict. But he warned that security situation was still bad, the humanitarian situation was poor and the region was still in a political stalemate.
Pronk accused the rival factions in Darfur of re-arming and pointed to a recent increase in banditry and looting. He also drew attention to the recent spread of armed conflict to the neighbouring province of Khordofan. And the UN envoy was dismissive of all agreements signed so far to bring an end to the fighting.
"Talks between the parties on Darfur have not yielded concrete results or much narrowing of the gap on the issues concerned," Pronk said. "Despite regular statements to the contrary, the parties have yet to commit in practice to the implementation of the humanitarian ceasefire (agreed in April 2004)."
However, hinting at the need to include other groups besides the SLA and JEM in the political dialogue, Pronk said: "It would be useful to start thinking of including tribal leaders in finding political solutions even before reconciliation has taken place. That may include tribes that so far were beyond control by the government or by the rebel movements and were fighting to protect their own interests."
Could that perhaps point to a role for the NMRD in the overall negotiating process?
Allami, the Chadian mediator, also advised that the peacebrokers in Darfur should cast their net wider. "We should involve all the political and military forces in a definitive and global settlement of the crisis in Darfur," he told IRIN.
Soldiers in a miltary unit calling themselves variously the Border Intelligence Division, Second Reconnaisance Brigade, or the Quick and the Horrible, also believed to form part of the Janjaweed militia, walk around the weekly animal market in Mistiria in North Darfur, Sudan, Oct. 5, 2004 (AP) - courtesy Sudan Tribune.
Briefing the UN Security Council on Tuesday this week, Jan Pronk, the UN envoy to Sudan, made no reference to the NMRD as a player in the Darfur conflict. But he warned that security situation was still bad, the humanitarian situation was poor and the region was still in a political stalemate.
Pronk accused the rival factions in Darfur of re-arming and pointed to a recent increase in banditry and looting. He also drew attention to the recent spread of armed conflict to the neighbouring province of Khordofan. And the UN envoy was dismissive of all agreements signed so far to bring an end to the fighting.
"Talks between the parties on Darfur have not yielded concrete results or much narrowing of the gap on the issues concerned," Pronk said. "Despite regular statements to the contrary, the parties have yet to commit in practice to the implementation of the humanitarian ceasefire (agreed in April 2004)."
However, hinting at the need to include other groups besides the SLA and JEM in the political dialogue, Pronk said: "It would be useful to start thinking of including tribal leaders in finding political solutions even before reconciliation has taken place. That may include tribes that so far were beyond control by the government or by the rebel movements and were fighting to protect their own interests."
Could that perhaps point to a role for the NMRD in the overall negotiating process?
Allami, the Chadian mediator, also advised that the peacebrokers in Darfur should cast their net wider. "We should involve all the political and military forces in a definitive and global settlement of the crisis in Darfur," he told IRIN.
Soldiers in a miltary unit calling themselves variously the Border Intelligence Division, Second Reconnaisance Brigade, or the Quick and the Horrible, also believed to form part of the Janjaweed militia, walk around the weekly animal market in Mistiria in North Darfur, Sudan, Oct. 5, 2004 (AP) - courtesy Sudan Tribune.
For too long the Arab World has ignored areas adjacent to sub-Saharan Africa
Mustafa El-Feki, in a piece at Al-Ahram Weekly Jan 13, 2005, titled New leaders, old ideas writes "there is no point in becoming excited over a change in leadership if it is not accompanied by a change in direction." He is chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the People's Assembly and on the Sudan writes the following:
The situation in southern Sudan is a result of the Arab World's habitual shortsightedness. For too long we have ignored the areas adjacent to sub-Saharan Africa. The poverty and depravation I saw during a recent visit to southern Sudan was appalling. The only visible contribution the Arabs have made to the inhabitants of southern Sudan appeared to be a mosque constructed by King Farouk, and the Kuwaiti Hospital in Juba. This remiss is particularly deplorable when we consider that the southern portion of Sudan is the Arab world's African gateway.
Just when a peaceful settlement to the Sudanese civil war appeared possible another nightmare scenario erupted. The crisis of Darfur in western Sudan has attracted the concern of the international community and stirred vehement condemnation in the international media. Sadly, on this issue new Arab leaders continue to tread all too familiar paths.
The question of the Western Sahara remains one of the most intractable Arab-African problems, as well as a long-lasting sore point between Algeria and Morocco. Rabat's reaction to South Africa's demand that it recognise the Saharan republic, combined with its withdrawal from inter-African cooperation within the framework of the OAU, underscores the potentially explosive situation in this corner of the Arab world.
The situation in southern Sudan is a result of the Arab World's habitual shortsightedness. For too long we have ignored the areas adjacent to sub-Saharan Africa. The poverty and depravation I saw during a recent visit to southern Sudan was appalling. The only visible contribution the Arabs have made to the inhabitants of southern Sudan appeared to be a mosque constructed by King Farouk, and the Kuwaiti Hospital in Juba. This remiss is particularly deplorable when we consider that the southern portion of Sudan is the Arab world's African gateway.
Just when a peaceful settlement to the Sudanese civil war appeared possible another nightmare scenario erupted. The crisis of Darfur in western Sudan has attracted the concern of the international community and stirred vehement condemnation in the international media. Sadly, on this issue new Arab leaders continue to tread all too familiar paths.
The question of the Western Sahara remains one of the most intractable Arab-African problems, as well as a long-lasting sore point between Algeria and Morocco. Rabat's reaction to South Africa's demand that it recognise the Saharan republic, combined with its withdrawal from inter-African cooperation within the framework of the OAU, underscores the potentially explosive situation in this corner of the Arab world.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Hotel Rwanda, PBS and BBC's New Killing Fields in Darfur
American blogger Bill, aka Black River Eagle, writes a great piece highlighting Jim Moore's post re PBS Frontline World Show.
For further reading on the BBC documentary that Bill also writes about, see my post at Passion of the Present titled "The New Killing Fields in Darfur."
Also, please note Jim's review of Hotel Rwanda, a must-see film experience, and list of cinemas showing Hotel Rwanda, effective January 9, 2005 at 23 cities in the US and Canada. I must check if the film is available on DVD so I can view it on my PowerBook.
For further reading on the BBC documentary that Bill also writes about, see my post at Passion of the Present titled "The New Killing Fields in Darfur."
Also, please note Jim's review of Hotel Rwanda, a must-see film experience, and list of cinemas showing Hotel Rwanda, effective January 9, 2005 at 23 cities in the US and Canada. I must check if the film is available on DVD so I can view it on my PowerBook.
Candlelight vigil for Darfur Sudan
Last month, American blogger and law student John Fitzgerald attended a candlelight vigil in New York for Darfur and kindly wrote a post to share with us.
Yesterday, John emailed to say he would be attending the next vigil in New York, this coming Monday, and will ensure his camera works this time to take photos for posting here. John's bar exam is next month, here's wishing him all the best.
Chris at Explanada provides details of the vigil to be held 5.00 pm Monday at Dag Hammarskjold Park, UN Plaza.
All of us, anywhere in the world, can light a candle on Monday at 5.00 pm NYC time in memory of the two million Sudanese who have lost their lives, and stand in solidarity with the four million victims of rape, slavery, and displacement. Give meaning to "Never Again."
Displaced people wait to receive food supplies from the UN World Food Program in Kalma Camp, near Nyala town in Sudan's southern Darfur region. (AFP/File/Jose Cendon) Jan 11, 2005.
Yesterday, John emailed to say he would be attending the next vigil in New York, this coming Monday, and will ensure his camera works this time to take photos for posting here. John's bar exam is next month, here's wishing him all the best.
Chris at Explanada provides details of the vigil to be held 5.00 pm Monday at Dag Hammarskjold Park, UN Plaza.
All of us, anywhere in the world, can light a candle on Monday at 5.00 pm NYC time in memory of the two million Sudanese who have lost their lives, and stand in solidarity with the four million victims of rape, slavery, and displacement. Give meaning to "Never Again."
Displaced people wait to receive food supplies from the UN World Food Program in Kalma Camp, near Nyala town in Sudan's southern Darfur region. (AFP/File/Jose Cendon) Jan 11, 2005.
Sudan peace deal 'bad' for Darfur
A few reports from the BBC say the Sudan peace deal is 'bad' for Darfur.
Darfur rebel group JEM suggest that government of Sudan troops not needed after the peace deal with the south are being re-deployed to areas in Darfur now classed as peaceful.
Colonel Omar Adam, leader of JEM rebel group in Darfur, told the BBC that Sudan's government is "preparing for war".
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Sudanese president's peace tour
With a peace treaty in hand (that he did not personally sign) Sudan's president Omar el-Bashir began a triumphant tour of his country Monday, Jan 10, 2005, greeted by thousands of revellers. A report in the Guardian yesterday describes how the president, wearing a long, white chieftain's shirt over his safari suit, stopped and restarted his speech several times when onlookers regularly broke into deafening applause and began waiving white pieces of cloth in signs of peace.
"Our ultimate goal is a united Sudan, which will not be built by war but by peace and development," el-Bashir said. "You, the southerners, will be saying, 'We want a strong and huge state, a united Sudan.'"
"The money which we have been spending on war will now be spent on services and development in the south," el-Bashir said from his heavily guarded podium.
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir holds aloft a bird symbolising peace at a rally in Juba, Sudan Monday, Jan. 10, 2005. He visited the southern town of Malakal as part of a tour of the region to publicise the deal. He told more than 10,000 local people who packed the stadium to celebrate the end of a war: "From now on, there will be no more fighting, but development and prosperity." (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
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Reactions vary to south Sudan peace treaty
Learthen Dorsey, associate professor of African studies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said he does not believe the peace agreement will work out, says a report in the Daily Nebraskan. The peace agreement requires the government to remove its troops from the South and the SPLA to pull out of the North. But, he said, nothing really forces the Sudanese government to stand by its promise.
"United Nations is too weak to force the compliance," he said. "It has to have some kind of influence from the United States, Great Britain as a former colonial power and the United Nations."
Note, In 1972, the Sudanese government and civil groups signed an agreement and finished a 17-year-long civil war, but the government broke the treaty.
A Sudanese artist in Juba drawing the Sudanese national flag over which a caption in Arabic reading 'yes for peace and love' while a small boy stands by observing in Juba, Sudan, Sunday, Jan 9, 2005.
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Quotations of the Day January 9, 2005
"This is a glorious day for the Sudan," President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said before an audience of African leaders and western diplomats. "It's not only a deal that ended a protracted war of untold suffering, but it is a new contract for all Sudanese."
"It's a big day but I'm not euphoric," said John C. Danforth, the American ambassador to the United Nations and President Bush's former special envoy to Sudan. "It's like climbing Mount Everest. You reach one pinnacle and there are ranges of mountains behind." via NYT
David Mozersky, the Sudan analyst for the International Crisis Group, said "The same Government that signed this deal is still carrying out attacks on civilians in Darfur. Unless the fighting stops, it will be very difficult for the country to move from a culture of war to a culture of peace."
Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Kenyan general who acted as chief mediator during the talks, called the deal "a precious child to nurture with love and care."
Sudan's President Omar El-Bashir (partly hidden-L) shakes hands with the country's main rebel leader John Garang (R) next to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki after signing the long awaited peace accord in Nairobi 09 January 2005. (AFP/Simon Maina)
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Can Garang make a successful transition to government?
John Garang, new First Vice-President of Sudan (taking over from VP Taha) will report directly to Sudan's President Bashir. The day before yesterday said he did not want to be associated with violence or fight any more Sudanese. He said the best way to get things done is through talks and negotiation.
A day later, he is quoted as saying: "It is exactly 42 years since I first left for the bush to begin the first war. I hope I will not go back to the bush again, but I am a guerrilla and I take my time. The union would be dissolved amicably after the six year interim period."
"If they fail in creating a Sudan of equality, then the best option would be to look at other solutions such as splitting the country into smaller states, we must have full devolution of power, otherwise the country may not move forward," Garang warned. [via SudanTribune]
Can John Garang make a successful transition to government after fighting in the bush for 42 years?
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Norwegian minister lauded for peace work in Sudan
Bravo to the Norwegians for building a great reputation, and quite a little industry, on successful peace brokering. And doing very well at it too, thank God. We need many more of them to apply their peace making skills in the hotspots of the world.
A report from Aftenposten Norway Jan 11 says Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Norway's government minister in charge of foreign aid, was the subject of much praise over the weekend, for her role in helping bring about a peace pact in Sudan. She took part in the signing ceremony for the peace agreement and signed it as a witness on behalf of the Norwegian Government, along with British Minister Hilary Benn and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"Hilde is fantastic," guerrilla leader John Garang told newspaper VG. "She deserves the Nobel Peace Prize."
Others were equally appreciative. "There's no doubt that... Johnson has played a decisive role in the process that led to this outstanding agreement," said government representative Ali Osman Taha.
Garang added that without Johnson's "engagement and abilities, we never would have succeeded. Norway has also given great humanitarian aid to southern Sudan."
The report states that Norway, the US and the UK worked closely together to get the Islamic north and the Christian south to put down their weapons.
Foreign aid minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson, right, at a meeting with the recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
(Photo: Hakon Mosvold Larsen/Scanpix)
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Darfur combatants lay down guns for polio campaign
The Guardian confirms that on Monday, combatants temporarily laid down their guns to let about 5,000 health and humanitarian workers and volunteers begin immunizing 1.3 million Darfur children against polio.
I wonder how they got the word out? See how BOTH sides are capable of ceasing violence. Janjaweed included: how did Khartoum manage that so easily?
The three-day polio program, which will see 40,000 people immunizing 6 million children across the country, is being coordinated by the Sudanese Health Ministry, World Health Organization and the United Nations children fund, UNICEF. Another 1.9 million children living in SPLA-controlled southern Sudan will begin being immunized Jan. 17.
Polio re-emerged last year after its eradication in 2001. Some 112 people have been detected with the virus in 17 of Sudan's 26 states.
A child is administered with a polio vaccine. Sudan said it had issued an order to halt all military operations in the stricken Darfur region during a nationwide three-day polio vaccination campaign. Interesting to see how Khartoum can rein in its militias when it wants to. (AFP/File/Pius Utomi Ekpei)
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UN Security Council considers 9 ,000 -10,000 peacekeepers for south Sudan
A report in the Guardian Jan 11 says the UN Security Council said Monday it would speedily consider sending peacekeepers to Sudan to support the new peace deal. Note this is part of the peace deal for southern Sudan and does not encompass Darfur in western Sudan.
Jan Pronk, the top UN envoy to Sudan, is expected to brief the security council on a peacekeeping force Tuesday. He said last month that if a peace agreement was reached, he envisioned Security Council adoption of a resolution in the third week of January authorising a wide ranging UN peacekeeping and peace-building mission, hopefully with 9,000 to 10,000 troops of which a number may be British. There are reports that India may contribute troops.
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AU Security Council calls for AU troops in Darfur by end of month
AU Peace and Security Council called on Khartoum yesterday to draw its forces back to the positions they held before a major offensive in the area last month, says Turkish Press Jan 11. The council urged the Darfur rebels to communicate their positions to the ceasefire commission and called for more AU troops on the ground by the end of the month.
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Secretary Annan should resign in protest says US lawmaker
Congress News today quotes U.S. lawmaker Wolf as saying: "As a son of Africa" [Annan is Ghanaian] and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Annan should use his "power and prestige to make a passionate plea to the Security Council to deal effectively on Sudan."
Wolf said he cringed at the thought of girls in Darfur "being raped practically before our eyes" and declared, "We cannot continue the status quo. If the Security Council fails to take meaningful action, Secretary Annan should resign in protest."
Mr Wolf said he understood this was "an unusual request to make but I believe these actions could turn the world's attention back to Darfur. Resigning out of protest is an act of great moral leadership and the world would respect his actions."
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Africa silent on the Tsunami victims
New Vision online, Uganda's leading daily, publishes a perspective of a Ugandan in Canada: Opiyo Oloya. It would be interesting to know how much China and the Arab world donated for the Asian tsumani victims. Japan was most generous, donating 500 million dollars, I believe.
Darfur rebel group JEM suggest that government of Sudan troops not needed after the peace deal with the south are being re-deployed to areas in Darfur now classed as peaceful.
Colonel Omar Adam, leader of JEM rebel group in Darfur, told the BBC that Sudan's government is "preparing for war".
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Sudanese president's peace tour
With a peace treaty in hand (that he did not personally sign) Sudan's president Omar el-Bashir began a triumphant tour of his country Monday, Jan 10, 2005, greeted by thousands of revellers. A report in the Guardian yesterday describes how the president, wearing a long, white chieftain's shirt over his safari suit, stopped and restarted his speech several times when onlookers regularly broke into deafening applause and began waiving white pieces of cloth in signs of peace.
"Our ultimate goal is a united Sudan, which will not be built by war but by peace and development," el-Bashir said. "You, the southerners, will be saying, 'We want a strong and huge state, a united Sudan.'"
"The money which we have been spending on war will now be spent on services and development in the south," el-Bashir said from his heavily guarded podium.
Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir holds aloft a bird symbolising peace at a rally in Juba, Sudan Monday, Jan. 10, 2005. He visited the southern town of Malakal as part of a tour of the region to publicise the deal. He told more than 10,000 local people who packed the stadium to celebrate the end of a war: "From now on, there will be no more fighting, but development and prosperity." (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
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Reactions vary to south Sudan peace treaty
Learthen Dorsey, associate professor of African studies at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said he does not believe the peace agreement will work out, says a report in the Daily Nebraskan. The peace agreement requires the government to remove its troops from the South and the SPLA to pull out of the North. But, he said, nothing really forces the Sudanese government to stand by its promise.
"United Nations is too weak to force the compliance," he said. "It has to have some kind of influence from the United States, Great Britain as a former colonial power and the United Nations."
Note, In 1972, the Sudanese government and civil groups signed an agreement and finished a 17-year-long civil war, but the government broke the treaty.
A Sudanese artist in Juba drawing the Sudanese national flag over which a caption in Arabic reading 'yes for peace and love' while a small boy stands by observing in Juba, Sudan, Sunday, Jan 9, 2005.
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Quotations of the Day January 9, 2005
"This is a glorious day for the Sudan," President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said before an audience of African leaders and western diplomats. "It's not only a deal that ended a protracted war of untold suffering, but it is a new contract for all Sudanese."
"It's a big day but I'm not euphoric," said John C. Danforth, the American ambassador to the United Nations and President Bush's former special envoy to Sudan. "It's like climbing Mount Everest. You reach one pinnacle and there are ranges of mountains behind." via NYT
David Mozersky, the Sudan analyst for the International Crisis Group, said "The same Government that signed this deal is still carrying out attacks on civilians in Darfur. Unless the fighting stops, it will be very difficult for the country to move from a culture of war to a culture of peace."
Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Kenyan general who acted as chief mediator during the talks, called the deal "a precious child to nurture with love and care."
Sudan's President Omar El-Bashir (partly hidden-L) shakes hands with the country's main rebel leader John Garang (R) next to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki after signing the long awaited peace accord in Nairobi 09 January 2005. (AFP/Simon Maina)
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Can Garang make a successful transition to government?
John Garang, new First Vice-President of Sudan (taking over from VP Taha) will report directly to Sudan's President Bashir. The day before yesterday said he did not want to be associated with violence or fight any more Sudanese. He said the best way to get things done is through talks and negotiation.
A day later, he is quoted as saying: "It is exactly 42 years since I first left for the bush to begin the first war. I hope I will not go back to the bush again, but I am a guerrilla and I take my time. The union would be dissolved amicably after the six year interim period."
"If they fail in creating a Sudan of equality, then the best option would be to look at other solutions such as splitting the country into smaller states, we must have full devolution of power, otherwise the country may not move forward," Garang warned. [via SudanTribune]
Can John Garang make a successful transition to government after fighting in the bush for 42 years?
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Norwegian minister lauded for peace work in Sudan
Bravo to the Norwegians for building a great reputation, and quite a little industry, on successful peace brokering. And doing very well at it too, thank God. We need many more of them to apply their peace making skills in the hotspots of the world.
A report from Aftenposten Norway Jan 11 says Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Norway's government minister in charge of foreign aid, was the subject of much praise over the weekend, for her role in helping bring about a peace pact in Sudan. She took part in the signing ceremony for the peace agreement and signed it as a witness on behalf of the Norwegian Government, along with British Minister Hilary Benn and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"Hilde is fantastic," guerrilla leader John Garang told newspaper VG. "She deserves the Nobel Peace Prize."
Others were equally appreciative. "There's no doubt that... Johnson has played a decisive role in the process that led to this outstanding agreement," said government representative Ali Osman Taha.
Garang added that without Johnson's "engagement and abilities, we never would have succeeded. Norway has also given great humanitarian aid to southern Sudan."
The report states that Norway, the US and the UK worked closely together to get the Islamic north and the Christian south to put down their weapons.
Foreign aid minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson, right, at a meeting with the recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
(Photo: Hakon Mosvold Larsen/Scanpix)
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Darfur combatants lay down guns for polio campaign
The Guardian confirms that on Monday, combatants temporarily laid down their guns to let about 5,000 health and humanitarian workers and volunteers begin immunizing 1.3 million Darfur children against polio.
I wonder how they got the word out? See how BOTH sides are capable of ceasing violence. Janjaweed included: how did Khartoum manage that so easily?
The three-day polio program, which will see 40,000 people immunizing 6 million children across the country, is being coordinated by the Sudanese Health Ministry, World Health Organization and the United Nations children fund, UNICEF. Another 1.9 million children living in SPLA-controlled southern Sudan will begin being immunized Jan. 17.
Polio re-emerged last year after its eradication in 2001. Some 112 people have been detected with the virus in 17 of Sudan's 26 states.
A child is administered with a polio vaccine. Sudan said it had issued an order to halt all military operations in the stricken Darfur region during a nationwide three-day polio vaccination campaign. Interesting to see how Khartoum can rein in its militias when it wants to. (AFP/File/Pius Utomi Ekpei)
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UN Security Council considers 9 ,000 -10,000 peacekeepers for south Sudan
A report in the Guardian Jan 11 says the UN Security Council said Monday it would speedily consider sending peacekeepers to Sudan to support the new peace deal. Note this is part of the peace deal for southern Sudan and does not encompass Darfur in western Sudan.
Jan Pronk, the top UN envoy to Sudan, is expected to brief the security council on a peacekeeping force Tuesday. He said last month that if a peace agreement was reached, he envisioned Security Council adoption of a resolution in the third week of January authorising a wide ranging UN peacekeeping and peace-building mission, hopefully with 9,000 to 10,000 troops of which a number may be British. There are reports that India may contribute troops.
- - -
AU Security Council calls for AU troops in Darfur by end of month
AU Peace and Security Council called on Khartoum yesterday to draw its forces back to the positions they held before a major offensive in the area last month, says Turkish Press Jan 11. The council urged the Darfur rebels to communicate their positions to the ceasefire commission and called for more AU troops on the ground by the end of the month.
- - -
Secretary Annan should resign in protest says US lawmaker
Congress News today quotes U.S. lawmaker Wolf as saying: "As a son of Africa" [Annan is Ghanaian] and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Annan should use his "power and prestige to make a passionate plea to the Security Council to deal effectively on Sudan."
Wolf said he cringed at the thought of girls in Darfur "being raped practically before our eyes" and declared, "We cannot continue the status quo. If the Security Council fails to take meaningful action, Secretary Annan should resign in protest."
Mr Wolf said he understood this was "an unusual request to make but I believe these actions could turn the world's attention back to Darfur. Resigning out of protest is an act of great moral leadership and the world would respect his actions."
- - -
Africa silent on the Tsunami victims
New Vision online, Uganda's leading daily, publishes a perspective of a Ugandan in Canada: Opiyo Oloya. It would be interesting to know how much China and the Arab world donated for the Asian tsumani victims. Japan was most generous, donating 500 million dollars, I believe.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Sudan's 'Peace' Protocols: Permanent Peace or Piece by Piece?
By Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sudanese President, published in Views Section at IslamOnline, January 9, 2005.
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UPDATE Jan 11: Thanks to Bill for pointing out in the comments here that the above link to President Bashir's report of January 9 now leads to a report titled "Framework for Peace or Blueprint for Disintegration?" dated January 10 by Kareem M. Kamel.
Regrettably, I did not take a screenshot of the first report. Clearly, the page has now changed with Kamel's report. Interestingly, the new report does contain elements of the first report. Even the title has been inserted into a section towards the end of the report. The only thing I did extract from the first report titled "Sudan's 'Peace' Protocols: Permanent Peace or Piece by Piece?" (that was clearly billed as being by the Sudanese President and made no mention of Kamel) is this:
"Consequently, by not putting regulations on the use of oil wealth and allowing both sides to purchase weapons with the oil revenues at their disposal, the combatants can quickly expand their military capabilities and renew the conflict anytime."
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Note, I think this would be a good place to point to A Little Red Blog who asks the following good question. [I'd already thought the same question, which is why the above extract from Bashir's report caught my eye as I planned to write a post around it]:
"Now we'll have a better armed south, the existing northern forces and a new force made up of both but loyal to whom?"
- - -
UPDATE Jan 11: Thanks to Bill for pointing out in the comments here that the above link to President Bashir's report of January 9 now leads to a report titled "Framework for Peace or Blueprint for Disintegration?" dated January 10 by Kareem M. Kamel.
Regrettably, I did not take a screenshot of the first report. Clearly, the page has now changed with Kamel's report. Interestingly, the new report does contain elements of the first report. Even the title has been inserted into a section towards the end of the report. The only thing I did extract from the first report titled "Sudan's 'Peace' Protocols: Permanent Peace or Piece by Piece?" (that was clearly billed as being by the Sudanese President and made no mention of Kamel) is this:
"Consequently, by not putting regulations on the use of oil wealth and allowing both sides to purchase weapons with the oil revenues at their disposal, the combatants can quickly expand their military capabilities and renew the conflict anytime."
- - -
Note, I think this would be a good place to point to A Little Red Blog who asks the following good question. [I'd already thought the same question, which is why the above extract from Bashir's report caught my eye as I planned to write a post around it]:
"Now we'll have a better armed south, the existing northern forces and a new force made up of both but loyal to whom?"
Sunday, January 09, 2005
A brief look at the Sudan peace process and agreement
The new interim unity government, and a new regional authority to be run by Garang called the Government of South Sudan, will have its work cut out to develop the south to a level where southerners warm to Khartoum.
Christopher at Mayflower Hill blog writes two great essays explaining why he does not believe there will be peace in the Sudan. He feels we should all be pessimistic and sceptical about Sudan's prospects for peace along the terms of the Naivasha Protocal signed today which, he says, mirrors the Addis Abab agreement of 1972.
Christopher's first essay, entitled "Hoodwinked", is dated January 3, 2005. The second essay, entitled "Historical Parallels" can be found in a post at Mayflower Hill dated January 8, 2005 [apologies unable to link the post].
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A brief look at the Sudan peace process and agreement
The following is a brief look at the peace agreement reached between the government of Sudan and the southern rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, which will cover the next six years.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: The 10 states in southern Sudan will be secular, while the north will practice Islamic law.
POWER SHARING: Former rebels will hold 30 percent of national posts, the south will be autonomous.
WEALTH SHARING: Oil revenues from the south will be split 50-50 between the north and south.
SOUTHERN SELF DETERMINATION: The south will vote on independence in 2011.
MONITORING: U.N. observers will monitor a cease-fire and demobilization of troops.
Please click here for a brief introduction to the peace process in southern Sudan.
[via ReliefWeb via Xinhua via COMTEX]
Further reading:
Amnesty international UK - Sudan: North-South peace deal signed, but what about human rights?
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Limited opportunities in Sudan as most of the prospective acreage has been taken by non-Western companies
In a hurry yesterday, I extracted the following editorial from a Jan 8 news article but misplaced the link/source:
"Even if the conflict in Darfur is not related to the oil issue, the fact that the country is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to conflict cannot be overlooked by anyone," said Christine Batruch, vice president of corporate responsibility at Sweden's Lundin Petroleum AB. She said Lundin, which has reduced its activities in Sudan but retains an interest in one block, would plan its activities for 2005 after the signing of the north-south deal. But she added: "Most of the prospective acreage has been taken by non-Western companies and as such there are limited opportunities."
Total said in December it had reached a deal with the government to update terms on a block it operated until security issues forced it to suspend activities in 1985, but added that operations could only resume once peace was restored. "The conflict in Darfur could potentially impact security in the south, in which case we would have to assess the situation," a spokesman said from Paris. Talk of imposing sanctions on Sudan over the Darfur conflict has added to uncertainty. But analysts said China, with its interests in Sudanese oil output and its veto power at the United Nations, would likely oppose any UN sanctions move."
Christopher at Mayflower Hill blog writes two great essays explaining why he does not believe there will be peace in the Sudan. He feels we should all be pessimistic and sceptical about Sudan's prospects for peace along the terms of the Naivasha Protocal signed today which, he says, mirrors the Addis Abab agreement of 1972.
Christopher's first essay, entitled "Hoodwinked", is dated January 3, 2005. The second essay, entitled "Historical Parallels" can be found in a post at Mayflower Hill dated January 8, 2005 [apologies unable to link the post].
- - -
A brief look at the Sudan peace process and agreement
The following is a brief look at the peace agreement reached between the government of Sudan and the southern rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, which will cover the next six years.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: The 10 states in southern Sudan will be secular, while the north will practice Islamic law.
POWER SHARING: Former rebels will hold 30 percent of national posts, the south will be autonomous.
WEALTH SHARING: Oil revenues from the south will be split 50-50 between the north and south.
SOUTHERN SELF DETERMINATION: The south will vote on independence in 2011.
MONITORING: U.N. observers will monitor a cease-fire and demobilization of troops.
Please click here for a brief introduction to the peace process in southern Sudan.
[via ReliefWeb via Xinhua via COMTEX]
Further reading:
Amnesty international UK - Sudan: North-South peace deal signed, but what about human rights?
- - -
Limited opportunities in Sudan as most of the prospective acreage has been taken by non-Western companies
In a hurry yesterday, I extracted the following editorial from a Jan 8 news article but misplaced the link/source:
"Even if the conflict in Darfur is not related to the oil issue, the fact that the country is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to conflict cannot be overlooked by anyone," said Christine Batruch, vice president of corporate responsibility at Sweden's Lundin Petroleum AB. She said Lundin, which has reduced its activities in Sudan but retains an interest in one block, would plan its activities for 2005 after the signing of the north-south deal. But she added: "Most of the prospective acreage has been taken by non-Western companies and as such there are limited opportunities."
Total said in December it had reached a deal with the government to update terms on a block it operated until security issues forced it to suspend activities in 1985, but added that operations could only resume once peace was restored. "The conflict in Darfur could potentially impact security in the south, in which case we would have to assess the situation," a spokesman said from Paris. Talk of imposing sanctions on Sudan over the Darfur conflict has added to uncertainty. But analysts said China, with its interests in Sudanese oil output and its veto power at the United Nations, would likely oppose any UN sanctions move."
UK pledges 50 million GPB for Darfur crisis and Sudan peace
Hilary Benn, UK International Development Secretary, who is in Nairobi today to attend the signing of the historic Peace Agreement has announced a contribution of 50 million GBP towards the UN's 2005 Workplan for Sudan and Eastern Chad.
The UK has set aside 100m GBP for Sudan in this coming year, based on the signature of a peace agreement and provided there is progress in Darfur. He said:
The UK has set aside 100m GBP for Sudan in this coming year, based on the signature of a peace agreement and provided there is progress in Darfur. He said:
"The UN has led international humanitarian action on the Darfur crisis as well as responding to the needs of the Sudanese people. These needs will be enormous this year. I am therefore announcing our contribution of 50 million GBP towards the UN appeal. This early contribution will help UN agencies to meet these needs and I hope that other countries will do the same. This contribution, and our total pledge to Sudan next year, underlines the UK's continuing strong commitment to Africa and to tackling conflict."The 50m GBP will be allocated against the UN's Workplan for the 2005 [calendar] year, and their Consolidated Appeal for Eastern Chad. Funding for this will come from DFID's 2004/5 and 2005/6 budget.
South Sudan peace deal signed - Garang says if it is not implemented Sudan will break apart
John Garang, leader of the new Government of South Sudan has a lot of work convincing those in the South to implement the peace agreement. And the Government of Sudan have to persuade northern opposition groups to accept the deal.
Mr Garang told a news conference yesterday that Sudan would be torn apart if today's peace agreement was not implemented.
"If this agreement is dishonoured then, of course, the country will break up," said Garang, who today signed the accord with Sudan's President Omar el-Beshir.
"But if it is implemented the way it is negotiated, there are good chances that the country can remain united," he said.
The comprehensive deal spells out how to share power and natural wealth, what to do with their armed forces during a six-year transition period and how to administer three disputed areas in central Sudan. After six years of autonomy, southerners will also be given a chance to decide whether to remain part of Sudan, or become independent.
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CORRECTION: Please note, Sudan's First Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and Sudan People's Liberation Movement leader John Garang signed the peace accord at a ceremony in Kenya's capital Nairobi, January 9, 2005. President Omar el-Beshir did not actually sign the accord. Apologies for error.
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UPDATE: On the peace deal signed today: after ratification, which must come in two weeks, negotiators will work on an interim national constitution that will allow the peace agreement to be implemented.
Please click here to read highlights of the agreement and here for other news sites listed in right sidebar at BBC News online. Sudan Tribune also has good coverage of the day's historic events concerning Sudan.
Mr Garang told a news conference yesterday that Sudan would be torn apart if today's peace agreement was not implemented.
"If this agreement is dishonoured then, of course, the country will break up," said Garang, who today signed the accord with Sudan's President Omar el-Beshir.
"But if it is implemented the way it is negotiated, there are good chances that the country can remain united," he said.
The comprehensive deal spells out how to share power and natural wealth, what to do with their armed forces during a six-year transition period and how to administer three disputed areas in central Sudan. After six years of autonomy, southerners will also be given a chance to decide whether to remain part of Sudan, or become independent.
- - -
CORRECTION: Please note, Sudan's First Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and Sudan People's Liberation Movement leader John Garang signed the peace accord at a ceremony in Kenya's capital Nairobi, January 9, 2005. President Omar el-Beshir did not actually sign the accord. Apologies for error.
- - -
UPDATE: On the peace deal signed today: after ratification, which must come in two weeks, negotiators will work on an interim national constitution that will allow the peace agreement to be implemented.
Please click here to read highlights of the agreement and here for other news sites listed in right sidebar at BBC News online. Sudan Tribune also has good coverage of the day's historic events concerning Sudan.
Garang says he will not send his troops to fight Darfur
In August of last year, John Garang, leader of the SPLM, proposed a 30,000-strong peacekeeping force to "prevent genocide" in Darfur. He said a third of the force could consist of Sudanese army troops, while his group and international forces, preferably under the auspices of the AU, would each provide a third of the force.
Yesterday, the day before the signing of southern Sudan's historic peace deal, he said he will not send his forces to fight in the western Darfur region to end a worsening crisis there. He does not consider his country to be at peace until all fighting has stopped. And that peace talks were the only way to end the fighting in Darfur and rejected a military solution.
"I will not fight any other Sudanese," Garang said. "We want a fair and just political settlement for Darfur."
Of the Darfur peace talks tentatively set to continue on January 28 in Abuja, he said, "If I am invited, I will go. If I'm not, I will ask to be invited."
[Note some news reports suggest Mr Garang may not want to align himself with Darfur and violence as it could affect his already difficult and complicated task of making a success of his new Government of South Sudan - he says he would prefer to align himself with talks and negotiations, not any more violence. Also, as reported here a few days ago, the Darfur rebel group, JEM said it will not return to talks mediated by the AU, which it wants replaced by the UN although a UN spokewoman said this was not currently an option.]
Yesterday, the day before the signing of southern Sudan's historic peace deal, he said he will not send his forces to fight in the western Darfur region to end a worsening crisis there. He does not consider his country to be at peace until all fighting has stopped. And that peace talks were the only way to end the fighting in Darfur and rejected a military solution.
"I will not fight any other Sudanese," Garang said. "We want a fair and just political settlement for Darfur."
Of the Darfur peace talks tentatively set to continue on January 28 in Abuja, he said, "If I am invited, I will go. If I'm not, I will ask to be invited."
[Note some news reports suggest Mr Garang may not want to align himself with Darfur and violence as it could affect his already difficult and complicated task of making a success of his new Government of South Sudan - he says he would prefer to align himself with talks and negotiations, not any more violence. Also, as reported here a few days ago, the Darfur rebel group, JEM said it will not return to talks mediated by the AU, which it wants replaced by the UN although a UN spokewoman said this was not currently an option.]
Sudan opposition party to boycott Government
An AFP report carried by South African news online yesterday Jan 8 confirms Sudan's second largest opposition party has said it will not participate in a transitional government due to be formed after the peace deal is signed.
The report says the decision by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stay out of the power-sharing administration could deal a blow to efforts by Sudan's President to garner support among northerners, which he needs to balance southern influence. "We will not participate in a transitional government," party leader Mirghani said.
Note, the leader's statement was released as his party reopened its offices in Khartoum for the first time in 15 years.
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REMEMBERING GENOCIDE, IGNORING GENOCIDE
Kai Stinchcombe is a graduate student in political science and president of the Stanford Democrats. Here is an excerpt from his article "Remembering genocide, ignoring genocide" published by the Sudan Tribune on January 5, 2005:
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GENOCIDE IN DARFUR INQUIRY REPORT
The UN intends to issue the results of a human rights inquiry around January 25, as requested by the council, that will also rule on whether or not genocide has taken place.
The report says the decision by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to stay out of the power-sharing administration could deal a blow to efforts by Sudan's President to garner support among northerners, which he needs to balance southern influence. "We will not participate in a transitional government," party leader Mirghani said.
Note, the leader's statement was released as his party reopened its offices in Khartoum for the first time in 15 years.
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REMEMBERING GENOCIDE, IGNORING GENOCIDE
Kai Stinchcombe is a graduate student in political science and president of the Stanford Democrats. Here is an excerpt from his article "Remembering genocide, ignoring genocide" published by the Sudan Tribune on January 5, 2005:
Sudan is not going to stop the genocide on its own. Flush with oil revenues and eagerly armed by greedy weapons dealers and see-no-evil politicians, the government is intent on driving its black minority off their land. The only hope for Darfur is a U.N. Security Council resolution establishing a no-fly zone over Southern and Western Sudan, beefing up the African Union force already there with more international troops, and establishing a mandatory and enforceable arms embargo on Sudan.Mr Stinchcombe concludes the article by saying: "It's time to take action in Darfur". Read full story.
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GENOCIDE IN DARFUR INQUIRY REPORT
The UN intends to issue the results of a human rights inquiry around January 25, as requested by the council, that will also rule on whether or not genocide has taken place.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
UN warns of massive build-up of weapons, intensification of violence, including air attacks, groups rearming and violence spreading beyond Darfur
A report in the Guardian today quotes Charles Gurdon, an analyst with a British consultancy firm, as saying Darfur was more important to the Sudanese government than the south, because its population is Muslim, like most of the north, and because the bulk of the army comes from there.
The report also quotes him as saying the southern Sudan peace deal was a result both of Western pressure and Sudan's desire to end its pariah status in the international community. "If Libya and Iraq and others can come off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, Sudan also has to try," he said. "It is a calculated position - this way they can have more time to sort out western Sudan."
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Note, Khartoum has so much breathing space now, it's unreal. No wonder Sudan's President is excited and acts magnanimous offering to now "consider" power sharing with Darfur. Khartoum must be feeling free to carry on as they wish. The peace deal means they don't even have to completely withdraw their troops from southern Sudan for another 2.5 years.
While Khartoum gives the impression of welcoming peace (what they really welcome is the heat being taken off them) it seems as though Darfur is back to square one. The past 22 months of hell -- costing 400,000 lives and displacing millions of people - and two U.N. Security Council resolutions threatening possible sanctions along with a bill signed by President Bush last month -- it's like none of it ever happened.
Early next week, the UN Security Council meets to discuss Kofi Annan's latest report warning that swift action must be taken over the security situation in Darfur or intense violence could break out. In the report, Mr Annan said groups were re-arming and violence was spreading beyond the region -- both the government and rebels had repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement, and the government had started a massive build-up of forces and logistics -- and the massive build-up of weapons and intensification of violence, including air attacks, suggested the security situation in Darfur was deteriorating.
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How many times have we heard that before? It feels like a return to April/May of last year. Even the BBC news online is dusting off its old Janjaweed photo [see below] from eight months ago. And the caption still seems the same.
Mr Annan says Khartoum is again using militia in its operations
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SUDAN'S PARTIAL PEACE
Here is an excerpt from an article entitled "Sudan's Partial Peace" via Crisis Group Jan 7:
The report also quotes him as saying the southern Sudan peace deal was a result both of Western pressure and Sudan's desire to end its pariah status in the international community. "If Libya and Iraq and others can come off the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, Sudan also has to try," he said. "It is a calculated position - this way they can have more time to sort out western Sudan."
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Note, Khartoum has so much breathing space now, it's unreal. No wonder Sudan's President is excited and acts magnanimous offering to now "consider" power sharing with Darfur. Khartoum must be feeling free to carry on as they wish. The peace deal means they don't even have to completely withdraw their troops from southern Sudan for another 2.5 years.
While Khartoum gives the impression of welcoming peace (what they really welcome is the heat being taken off them) it seems as though Darfur is back to square one. The past 22 months of hell -- costing 400,000 lives and displacing millions of people - and two U.N. Security Council resolutions threatening possible sanctions along with a bill signed by President Bush last month -- it's like none of it ever happened.
Early next week, the UN Security Council meets to discuss Kofi Annan's latest report warning that swift action must be taken over the security situation in Darfur or intense violence could break out. In the report, Mr Annan said groups were re-arming and violence was spreading beyond the region -- both the government and rebels had repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement, and the government had started a massive build-up of forces and logistics -- and the massive build-up of weapons and intensification of violence, including air attacks, suggested the security situation in Darfur was deteriorating.
- - -
How many times have we heard that before? It feels like a return to April/May of last year. Even the BBC news online is dusting off its old Janjaweed photo [see below] from eight months ago. And the caption still seems the same.
Mr Annan says Khartoum is again using militia in its operations
- - -
SUDAN'S PARTIAL PEACE
Here is an excerpt from an article entitled "Sudan's Partial Peace" via Crisis Group Jan 7:
When the Khartoum government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) sign Sunday's peace deal, Sudan will take a big step away from two decades of war that have cost millions of lives but the hard part will just be beginning.Note, in the article John Prendergast says, "The government's objective is to maintain power. Supporters of the peace deal need to understand it pursues contradictory approaches in different regions with different opposition elements to confuse outsiders and defuse criticism. At once it is concluding peace with the SPLM, attacking in Darfur, and driving the armed groups from eastern Sudan out of the Cairo talks."
The agreement contains sensible compromises painfully negotiated over several years and demonstrates the effectiveness of African-led peacemaking supported by the wider international community. Yet, the document is more important for potential than immediate impact. If the parties uphold it, a principled peace will come to southern and central Sudan. If the government applies the blueprint it offers and moves vigorously towards peace in Darfur, the country could be transformed.
But most indicators point towards a different outcome. The government is signing partially to deflect pressure over Darfur. It is likely to use resulting goodwill to increase attacks there and further undermine opposition elsewhere in the country. Without great international vigilance, implementation of the deal with the SPLM will slide, risking a standoff and return to war.
Khartoum agrees to "three days of tranquillity" starting Monday
A UN news report on Jan. 7 says at last week's JIM meeting, Jan Pronk, UN envoy to Sudan, expressed concern over increasing harassment of aid workers in Darfur.
Also, during the meeting, Sudanese government officials agreed to respect Mr. Pronk's request for "three days of tranquillity" starting Monday when a nationwide campaign [by WHO] begins to immunise nearly six million Sudanese children against polio.
As reported here a few days ago, 40,000 volunteers are to carry out the immunisation of six million children across Sudan. It's disappointing to find no news reports explaining the logisitics of such an operation. Where are the 40,000 volunteers arriving from, and how? How come within the space of three days outside agencies can reach millions of children in the Sudan but on all other days cannot get enough food, water and medicine to those most in need? Sudan expert Dr Eric Reeves and others say at least 10,000 people are dying in the camps each month because of malnutrition and disease.
Also, during the meeting, Sudanese government officials agreed to respect Mr. Pronk's request for "three days of tranquillity" starting Monday when a nationwide campaign [by WHO] begins to immunise nearly six million Sudanese children against polio.
As reported here a few days ago, 40,000 volunteers are to carry out the immunisation of six million children across Sudan. It's disappointing to find no news reports explaining the logisitics of such an operation. Where are the 40,000 volunteers arriving from, and how? How come within the space of three days outside agencies can reach millions of children in the Sudan but on all other days cannot get enough food, water and medicine to those most in need? Sudan expert Dr Eric Reeves and others say at least 10,000 people are dying in the camps each month because of malnutrition and disease.
Sudan's "remarkable" collaboration on information sharing with the U.S.
An AFP report entitled "Pat on back for Sudan" says the US removed Sudan from a list of countries considered to be uncooperative in the war on terrorism. The report, dated May 20 2004, is filed here for future reference. It reveals that:
(1) US Secretary of State Colin Powell made the announcement while demanding that Sudanese authorities allow unrestricted humanitarian access to nearly 1 million western Sudanese who had been uprooted by conflict;
(2) Sudan remains on the US department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, despite its removal from the second terrorism list, designed for countries which are "noncooperative" on terrorism. Four other countries remained on the list: Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Libya.
Also, the report states:
VIEW: China's African safari by Paul Mooney
"If sanctions were to block oil from Iran and Sudan, China would be forced to scramble to find other sources, which could be problematic. The question is whether or not Beijing is willing to sacrifice oil and its African partnerships to salvage its international image as a responsible global force," writes Paul Mooney in the Pakistan Daily Times. See full article.
Paul Mooney, a freelance journalist, has been reporting on China for 15 years. The above article appeared in YaleGlobal Online (www.yaleglobal.yale.edu), a publication of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization. Copyright (c) 2003 Yale Center for the Study of Globalization.
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QUOTATION OF THE DAY
"We were more generous when we were less rich. It is beyond me why we are so stingy, really."
"We are ahead of the technological revolution now logistically. But in terms of the moral climate, we are still in the medieval ages."
- Jan Egeland: The man who makes a difference. Read his profile courtesy Independent UK.
(1) US Secretary of State Colin Powell made the announcement while demanding that Sudanese authorities allow unrestricted humanitarian access to nearly 1 million western Sudanese who had been uprooted by conflict;
(2) Sudan remains on the US department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, despite its removal from the second terrorism list, designed for countries which are "noncooperative" on terrorism. Four other countries remained on the list: Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Libya.
Also, the report states:
US official Boucher said Sudan was dropped from the list of countries not co-operating on terrorism because of its "remarkable" collaboration on information sharing with the US. Powell's action moves Sudan a step towards eligibility for receiving US military equipment. But the ban on such transfers remains in effect because the country is still regarded as a state sponsor of terrorism. Boucher said Sudan harboured Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both listed as terrorist groups.- - -
VIEW: China's African safari by Paul Mooney
"If sanctions were to block oil from Iran and Sudan, China would be forced to scramble to find other sources, which could be problematic. The question is whether or not Beijing is willing to sacrifice oil and its African partnerships to salvage its international image as a responsible global force," writes Paul Mooney in the Pakistan Daily Times. See full article.
Paul Mooney, a freelance journalist, has been reporting on China for 15 years. The above article appeared in YaleGlobal Online (www.yaleglobal.yale.edu), a publication of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization. Copyright (c) 2003 Yale Center for the Study of Globalization.
- - -
QUOTATION OF THE DAY
"We were more generous when we were less rich. It is beyond me why we are so stingy, really."
"We are ahead of the technological revolution now logistically. But in terms of the moral climate, we are still in the medieval ages."
- Jan Egeland: The man who makes a difference. Read his profile courtesy Independent UK.
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