Bin Laden deputy calls for Sudan jihad (Update 10)

Report from UK's ITN Tuesday, March 24 2009:
Bin Laden deputy calls for Sudan jihad

Al-Qaeda's second-in-command has urged the Sudanese to prepare for guerrilla war against the West.

It follows the war crimes indictment for Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court.

According to a message posted on the internet, Ayman al-Zawahri says: "Make preparations by training, equipping, storing and organising for a long guerrilla war, because the modern-day Crusade has bared its fangs at you."

The 57-year-old Egyptian, who has a master's degree in surgery, is supposedly hiding in a remote location along the Afghan-Pakistani border near his boss Osama bin Laden.

In 1992, al-Zawahri joined bin Laden in Sudan, where both were under the protection of Sudanese opposition leader Hassan Abdallah al-Turabi. The pair were expelled from the country four years later and both headed to Afghanistan.

Mr Turabi was one of President al-Bashir's closest advisors after a coup in 1989 which brought him to power.

The pair fell out in 1999 when a state of emergency was declared after Mr al-Bashir refused to agree to the introduction of a bill which would have limited his powers.

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Report from Bloomberg by Heba Aly Tuesday, 24 March 2009 13:41 EDT:
Al-Qaeda’s Al-Zawahiri Calls for Sudan Guerrilla War (Update1)

Al-Qaeda’s second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, urged the Sudanese people to prepare for a “long guerrilla war” following the International Criminal Court’s decision to charge President Umar al-Bashir with war crimes.

In a video released today, al-Zawahiri urged the Sudanese to defend their country against attempts to eliminate Islam, the Alexandria, Virginia-based IntelCenter said in an e-mailed statement. The new video, featuring a still photograph of al- Zawahiri and an audio message with English subtitles, was the fourth released by al-Zawahiri this year, IntelCenter said.

“The Sudanese regime is too weak to defend the Sudan, so you must do what was done by your brothers in Iraq and Somalia,” IntelCenter, an intelligence group that monitors terrorist Web sites, cited al-Zawahiri as saying. “So make preparations -- by training, equipping, storing and organizing for a long guerrilla war, for the contemporary Crusade has bared its fangs at you,” he added.

Al-Zawahiri used the tape to criticize Sudan for forcing al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden out of the country in 1996 following a period of safe haven. “The Bashir regime is reaping what it sowed,” al-Zawahiri said, referring to the ICC’s move to charge the Sudanese leader with seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity on March 4 for allegedly masterminding atrocities in the western region of Darfur.

‘Trail-Mates’

The government in Khartoum had tried to appease Western powers by ejecting bin Laden, al-Zawahiri said, and now al- Bashir’s “former trail-mates” had “revolted against him.”

Al-Zawahiri said the ICC’s decision was merely a justification for Western military intervention in Sudan.

“You are being targeted so Islam can be eliminated from the Sudan,” he said.

Fighting in Darfur intensified in 2003, when rebels attacked the government after complaining of marginalization and seeking a greater share of wealth and power.

The UN estimates as many as 300,000 people have died in the conflict, mainly of disease and starvation, and almost 3 million others have fled their homes. The government says the figures are exaggerated and puts the death toll at around 10,000.

To contact the reporter on this story: Heba Aly in Cairo, via the Johannesburg newsroom at haly@bloomberg.net.

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Report from The Memri Blog, Tuesday, March 24, 2009:
New Al-Zawahiri Tape: The ICC Warrant against Al-Bashir Is a Plot to Destroy Islam in Sudan

On March 24, 2009, the Al-Qaeda media company Al-Sahab distributed to jihadi websites a 17-minute audio recording from Al-Qaeda deputy Ayman Al-Zawahiri on the topic of the ICC's arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.



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Report from ennahar online, Tuesday, 24 March, 2009:
Zawahiri calls Bachir to repentance

The number two of Al Qaeda, Ayman El-Zawahiri, called on the Sudanese people to prepare for guerrilla and the Sudanese President Omar El-Bachir to repent, in a video aired Tuesday on the Internet.

In this message, reproduced by the Islamist sites monitoring centre SITE, Zawahiri believed that the Sudanese regime is reaping what it sowed, in reference to the international arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Mr. Bachir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

So will the regime of Bachir take the path of Islam and jihad and give up his political manoeuvres, his diplomatic wiles, which will bring nothing but disaster and tragedy?, asked the right arm of Osama Ben Laden in his message of 17 minutes, according to SITE, a US-based. Having hosted the head of El Qaeda in 1990, Sudan expelled Osama Ben Laden who had sought refuge in Afghanistan.

He also calls on the Sudanese people to prepare for a long guerrilla because the contemporary crusade (the West) has released its fangs.

The Sudanese regime is too weak to defend the Sudan, so you have to do what was done by your brothers in Iraq and Somalia who defended their countries when the regimes in place were too weak, he continues.

Darfur is the scene of a civil war since 2003, which caused 300,000 deaths according to the UN, 10,000 according to Khartoum, and 2.7 million displaced.

After the decision of the ICC, Khartoum ordered the expulsion of 13 of the largest international humanitarian organizations operating in Darfur, accusing them of collaboration with the ICC and espionage.

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Report from AFP, Tuesday, 24 March 2009:
Al-Qaeda deputy tells Sudan's Beshir to 'repent': SITE

DUBAI (AFP) — Al-Qaeda number two Ayman Zawahiri urged the people of Sudan to prepare for guerrilla war and for President Omar al-Beshir to "repent," in an Internet video message released on Tuesday.

Zawahiri said Beshir's regime is "reaping what it sowed," in reference to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the veteran Sudanese president this month on charges of war crimes over the conflict in Darfur.

"So will the Beshir regime take the path of Islam and jihad and abandon the political maneouvres, diplomatic ruses and international smooth-talking, which has not -- and will not -- bring anything other than disasters and tragedies?" Zawahiri said in the message, according to the US-based SITE Intelligence Group.

Beshir, the first sitting president to be hit with an ICC warrant, faces five counts of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes over the six-year conflict in Darfur.

The Egyptian-born Zawahiri called on the Sudanese people to "make preparations... for a long guerrilla war, for the contemporary crusade has bared its fangs at you."

"The Sudanese regime is too weak to defend the Sudan, so you must do what was done by your brothers in Iraq and Somalia, who defended their countries when the official regimes were powerless to do that."

The United Nations says 300,000 people have died and an estimated 2.7 million have fled their homes during the war between Darfur's ethnic minority rebels and the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum.

Sudan puts the death toll at 10,000.

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Report from The Associated Press, Tuesday, 24 March 2009:
Al-Qaida says Sudan leader deserves arrest warrant

CAIRO (AP) — The Sudanese president's problems with the West are retribution for his expulsion of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden more then ten years ago, al-Qaida's No. 2 said in a message issued Tuesday.

Ayman al-Zawahri said even though President Omar al-Bashir tried to appease Western powers by expelling al-Qaida from Sudan in 1996, the West was still after him. The Hague-based International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on March 4 on charges of war crimes in the Darfur region.

"The Bashir regime is reaping what it sowed. For many long years, it continued to back down and backtrack in front of American Crusader pressure," al-Zawahri said according to a transcript provided by the SITE Intelligence Group which monitors extremist Web sites.

"It expelled the mujahideen, who had taken refuge in the Sudan, foremost among them Sheik Osama bin Laden," he added in the message posted on militant Web sites.

Al-Zawahri said that no matter how much the regime "continued to pant for the American approval" it was never enough and had culminated in the international demand for al-Bashir's arrest.

Bin Laden and al-Qaida loyalists were given haven in Sudan from 1991-1996 until al-Bashir expelled them under U.S. pressure.

Al-Zawahri contrasted Sudan's behavior back then with Afghanistan's after 9/11, when the Taliban refused to turn over bin Laden despite U.S. demands.

The Egyptian-born al-Zawahri also addressed the Sudanese people, urging them to prepare for guerrilla war and the imminent invasion of the U.S. and its allies.

"You are being targeted so Islam can be eliminated from the Sudan," he said. "This is the fact which you must comprehend. And in order for Islam to be eliminated from the Sudan, a justification must be found for Western military intervention," he added, describing Darfur as that justification.

The only way for al-Bashir's regime to save itself is for it to abandon its "smooth-talking" and engage in jihad against the West.

Al-Bashir came to power in Sudan in 1989 together with Islamist ideologue Hassan al-Turabi. Before a falling out, the two in the 1990s turned the country into a headquarters for Islamist movements from around the world, including al-Qaida.

The ICC charged al-Bashir on March 4 of leading a counterinsurgency against Darfur rebels that involved rapes, killings and other atrocities against civilians. His government has been accused of unleashing Arab militiamen against Darfur civilians in a drive to put down a revolt by ethnic Africans in the region.

Up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have been driven from their homes in the conflict since 2003, according to the U.N.

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Report from Voice of America News, Tuesday, 24 March 2009:
Al-Qaida's Zawahiri Urges Sudanese to Prepare for War

Al-Qaida's second-in-command, Ayman Zawahiri, is urging the people of Sudan to prepare for a guerrilla war against the West.



Photo: This video frame grab image of Ayman al-Zawahiri provided by IntelCenter, and taken from a video released, 28 Nov 2008

In an Internet video message released Tuesday, Zawahiri said Sudanese should get ready for a long war because "the modern-day crusade has bared its fangs at you."

That is a likely reference to Western countries who have denounced Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for his actions in Darfur, and support the warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court.

The court has indicted Mr. Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity against Darfur's civilians.

This is the second time in a week al-Qaida has released a message directed at Africa.

Last week, an audio recording attributed to al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden denounced Somalia's new president, and urged Somalis to topple him.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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Report from Al Jazeera, Tuesday, 24 March 2009:
Zawahri 'seeks Sudan guerrilla war'

An audio statement purportedly by al-Qaeda's deputy leader has called on the Sudanese to lead a guerrilla war against Western states in response to the indictment of the country's president for alleged war crimes.

The apparent statement by Ayman al-Zawahri on Tuesday comes days after Omar al-Bashir was charged by the International Criminal Court for abuses committed in his country's Darfur region.

"Make preparations by training, equipping, storing and organising for a long guerrilla war, because the modern-day Crusade [Westerners] has bared its fangs at you," the statement, posted on several websites, said.

"I tell our Muslim brothers in the Sudan: We are with you, and all mujahidin [fighters] and Muslims are with you, and we shall - with Allah's help - do all that is in our power to help you, despite our knowledge that the Sudanese regime lies in wait for any mujahid it might discover in the Sudan," he said.

While the 17-minute recording has not been fully authenticated as featuring the voice of al-Zawahri, it was posted by as-Sahab, al-Qaeda's media wing.

The voice is similar to that featured on previous authenticated statements.

Western 'plot'

The United Nations has estimated that at least 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, when Arab fighters alleged to have links to the government in Khartoum began a series of attacks against black civilians.

Zawahri dismissed the ICC's decision to issue war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against al-Bashir, calling the move a Western plan to interfere in Sudan.

"I am not defending Omar al-Bashir or his regime, nor am I defending what it has done in Darfur and elsewhere," he said.

"The issue isn't one of Darfur and solving its problems. It is about finding an excuse for more foreign interference in the Muslim countries in the framework of the contemporary crusader-Zionist campaign," Zawahri said on the audio recording.

UN criticised

Al-Zawahri also criticised the United Nations for what he called its failure to protect Palestinians during Israel's recent 22-day war on Gaza, drawing comparisons with the world body's response to the situation in Darfur.

"Why hasn't the United Nations moved to protect the Palestinians in Gaza from Israeli barbarity and criminality, while it pretends to cry over the suffering of the people of Darfur?" he said.

"Why hasn't the United Nations and the international community intervened to lift the siege from Gaza, while it pretends to cry over the people of Darfur being deprived of relief and aid?"

The al-Qaeda deputy also demanded that Western leaders including George Bush, a former US president, and Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, be put on trial.

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Report from CNN Tuesday, 24 March 2009:
Al Qaeda No. 2: Sudan's president pandered to West

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, facing an international arrest warrant, is paying the price for pandering to the West, al Qaeda's second-in-command said in an audio statement released Tuesday.

"I am not defending Omar al-Bashir or his regime, nor am I defending what it has done in Darfur and elsewhere," Ayman al-Zawahiri said in the statement released by al Qaeda's production company, as-Sahab Media.

But, he said, "the issue isn't one of Darfur and solving its problems; the issue is one of making excuses for more foreign interference in the Muslims' countries in the framework of the contemporary Zionist Crusade."

The warrant issued by the International Criminal Court earlier this month accuses al-Bashir of war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges he denies. In response, Sudan ordered 13 international aid groups to leave the country, groups that the United Nations says provide roughly half the assistance delivered in Darfur.

"The Bashir regime is reaping what it sowed," al-Zawahiri said. "For many long years, it continued to back down and backtrack in front of American Crusader pressure."

He further accused Sudan of expelling members of the mujahedeen who had sought refuge there, particularly Osama bin Laden, and declaring "in an audacious lie that they had left voluntarily, then attempting to beg payment for that from the Saudi regime and the Americans."

Al-Zawahiri asked, "Why hasn't the United Nations moved to protect the Palestinians in Gaza from Israeli barbarity and criminality, while it pretends to cry over the suffering of the people of Darfur? Why hasn't the United Nations and the international community intervened to lift the siege from Gaza, while it pretends to cry over the people of Darfur being deprived of relief and aid?"

"The Sudanese regime continued to pant for American approval, and it agreed to the division of the Sudan, paved the way for the imminent secession of the south, provided all the information it had on the emigrants and mujahedeen to the American government, and handed over some of them to the regimes of treason and criminality in their countries," al-Zawahiri said.

"But despite all that, the senior criminals weren't satisfied with it and continued to besiege it with demands and interference, even going so far as to demand the arrest of its leaders and prominent figures."

He said he wants to send a message to Muslims in Sudan, telling them they are being targeted so that Islam can be eliminated from the country. "And in order for Islam to be eliminated from the Sudan, a justification must be found for Western military intervention," he said.

The audio message is the fifth released this year by al-Zawahiri and the fourth in English, according to Virginia-based IntelCenter.

The center said on its Web site it focuses "on studying terrorist groups and other threat actors ... and disseminating that information in a timely manner to those who can act on it."



Photo: Ayman al-Zawahiri, seen here in 2007, said Tuesday the Sudanese president pandered to the West. (CNN)

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See previous news report at Sudan Watch, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 - Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahri urges Sudanese to prepare for war against the West

Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahri urges Sudanese to prepare for war against the West

Tue Mar 24, 2009 DUBAI (Reuters) -
Qaeda's Zawahri tells Sudanese to prepare for war

Al Qaeda's second-in-command urged the Sudanese to prepare for guerrilla war against the West after President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's war crimes indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an Internet message posted on Tuesday, Ayman al-Zawahri said: "Make preparations by training, equipping, storing and organizing for a long guerrilla war, because the modern-day Crusade (Westerners) has bared its fangs at you."

The ICC issued the indictment this month against Bashir for war crimes in the Darfur region where, experts say, fighting has killed at least 200,000 people since 2003.

Zawahri said the ruling was a ploy by Western powers to interfere in Sudan, a Muslim country.

"I am not defending Omar al-Bashir or his regime, nor am I defending what it has done in Darfur and elsewhere..."

"The issue isn't one of Darfur and solving its problems. It is about finding an excuse for more foreign interference in the Muslim countries in the framework of the contemporary crusader-Zionist campaign," Zawahri said on the audio recording.

The authenticity of the 17-minute recording could not be verified but it was issued by al Qaeda's media arm As-Sahab and posted on main Islamist websites. The speaker sounded like in earlier recordings by Zawahri.

Zawahri said world leaders ranging from former U.S. President George W. Bush to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and senior Israeli officials deserved to be put on trial.

"Indeed, why didn't they try (former U.S. President Harry S.) Truman, who ordered the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the first atomic bombs in history?," the militant leader asked.

(Reporting by Firouz Sedarat)

See further reports at Sudan Watch, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 - Bin Laden deputy calls for Sudan jihad (Update 8)

UN Security Council webcasts 20 March 2009 re Sudan

Click here to view the following webcasts:

20 March 09
Media Stakeout: Informal comments to the Media by the Permanent Representative of the United States of America, H.E. Ms. Susan E. Rice, on the situation in Sudan.
[Webcast: Archived Video - 5 minutes ]

20 March 09
Media Stakeout: Informal comments to the Media by Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, first Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on the situation in Sudan.
[Webcast: Archived Video - 3 minutes ]

20 March 09
Security Council: Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan.
[Webcast: Archived Video - English: 1 hour and 28 minutes ]

20 March 09
Media Stakeout: Press statement on Somalia and informal comments to the Media by the President of the Security Council and Permanent Representative of Libya, H.E. Mr. Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalgham, on the situation in Sudan and on other matters.
[Webcast: Archived Video - 6 minutes ]
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News analysis from Inner City Press, 20 March 2009 -
At UN, Who Can Speak At Darfur Meeting, Sudan Asks, As Ocampo Arrives -- Ostensibly on Uganda, He Will Not Explain
By Matthew Russell Lee of Inner City Press at the UN:

UNITED NATIONS, March 20, updated -- In the wake of Sudan's expulsion of 13 non-governmental organizations from Darfur, a procedural fight broken on Friday in the UN Security Council, with Sudan saying it has a right to be heard at a public briefing by top UN humanitarian John Holmes scheduled for Friday afternoon. The UN Spokesperson's Office at 11:06 in the morning sent out an "urgent" update, while the Council met on the subject of Somalia. The update said that the "Council will hold consultations on the subject of Sudan immediate following the adjournment of the [Somalia] meeting currently in progress."

Inner City Press immediately inquired Friday morning with a range of diplomats and learned that while a public meeting on Darfur had been proposed for Friday afternoon, when Sudan asked to participate and speak, the proposal had to be changed. The plan then switched to a public "briefing," by John Holmes, after which no members would speak in public. To Sudan and its supporters -- and it has some -- this seemed like sleight of hand, a hit and run proceeding in which they would not be heard. Emergency consultations were then set, on no other topic than the format.

A Western diplomat scoffed that Sudan is using the Council's schedule -- a retreat with Ban Ki-moon is planned to begin on Friday -- to try to block even Holmes' briefing. He said that initially the idea was just to have Holmes briefing publicly, then to take off to the retreat. But if Sudan speaks, "everyone else will want to." He argued that Sudan "could just come and speak at the stakeout."

On Thursday the US Mission to the UN told the Press that they had pushed to get a Friday meeting on Darfur. They explained that some had initially demurred, saying it could be done next week. But with the expulsion of 13 NGOs just after the International Criminal Court indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes, and President Bashir's more recent statements that he might expel diplomats and "security forces" from the country, the US pushed for the meeting, it said. But when a country is discussed in the Council, in a public meeting, it has some right to speak. Hence the standoff. Watch this site -- and note that at 11:38 a.m., ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo walked into the Council, then paced around outside clutching his cell phone.

Footnote (followed by updates) -- While the UK, and the U.S., are titularly in support of Austria's and Mexico's request for a second Council meeting on Sri Lanka, it appears they are putting substantially less political capital into the Sri Lanka request than for even interim briefings on Darfur. The above-quoted Western diplomat agreed that each country's political capital is limited, and consciously deployed, but added that the deployment is also based on the amount of push-back.

Does this mean that Sri Lanka has more or stronger supporters in the Council -- meaning, among China and Russia of the Permanent Five member -- than Sudan does? Or that this, added to the procedural point that Sudan is, and Sri Lanka is not, inscribed on an ongoing basis on the Council agenda makes the US and UK less likely to "waste" energy on overcoming objections to a Sri Lanka briefing now that the UN's knowledge of 2,683 civilian deaths from January 20 to March 7 is known?

Update of 12:44 p.m. -- on the mystery of Luis Moreno Ocampo's strutting presence in the Security Council as members fight about the format for their Darfur meeting, Ocampo refused to answer any questions. His spokesperson, more polite, explained that Ocampo was in Washington for talks, then came to New York to speak with representatives of Uganda about the Joseph Kony / Lord's Resistance Army case. The claim then is that his presence has nothing to do with the Sudan case -- despite Ocampo standing in front of the Council chatting with representatives of Missions to the UN of the United States and other countries. As Inner City Press conversed with a UN agency spokesman and Ocampo walked by, he was asked: are you really here only on Uganda? He smirked but said nothing. The agency spokesman said, you can't even call that a no comment...

It was explained -- not by Ocampo -- that when for example UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Navi Pillay says that war crimes may be being committed by both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government, the ICC Prosecutor's Office puts a notation in a data base. Since Sri Lanka is not a signatory of the ICC's Rome Statute, it is said, there is nothing they can do. It was noted that "the Tamils have not even tried to argue for jurisdiction, like the Palestinians have." Watch this site.

Update of 4:09 p.m. -- the outcome of the consultations was a public meeting, with "everyone" speaking, including Sudan and others. The UK Ambassador John Sawers referred to Abyei; Susan Rice intoned and inveighed against president Bashir. Russia's Vitaly Churkin, on the other hand, called the proceedings "symptomatic," hastily convened and politically motivated. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, long after his meeting with the Ugandan mission, is still hanging around the Security Council in the afternoon, now without the Uganda fig leaf. The Ambassador of Liechtenstein, too, is around, the head of the state parties to the ICC's Rome Statute. One would expect Ocampo to answer some press questions while here. But so far, not.

UNAMID report on Security Situation in Darfur - UNMIS and UNAMID Force Commander visit South Darfur

Security Situation in Darfur, Monday, 23 March 2009 -
Daily Media Brief by UNAMID, El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan via APO:

The security situation in Darfur remains calm; however banditry activities were reported.

Government of Sudan (GoS) police informed that there were reports of renewed fighting between the Fallata and Habbaniya tribesmen south of Buram on 20 March. This resulted in thirty people killed in a skirmish over a disputed water point.

On 21 March, a UNAMID patrol received information from the Government of Sudan (GoS) Commander that GoS forces had attacked a Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) position in Kaura area, 45km from Kabkabiya, in North Darfur.

Armed men entered into an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) warehouse in Al Salaam Internally Displaced Persons Camp in North Darfur on 21 March. Humanitarian Aid Commission and Government of Sudan (GoS) Police are investigating the incident.

UNAMID military forces conducted 25 confidence building patrols, 14 escort patrols, 9 night patrols and 2 Investigation patrols covering 59 villages/IDP camps. Similarly, UNAMID Police conducted 105 patrols in and around the villages and IDP Camps.

Meanwhile, UNAMID police continues to conduct courses designed for GoS officials throughout Darfur as part of its capacity building.

A five-day training course was organized in Gender-based violence, Human Rights and Child Protection and Community Policing; the courses were attended by GoS Police force and held yesterday in El Fasher and Kabkabiya, in North Darfur.

On the same day, a five-day course was also organized in Criminal Investigation, designed for GoS police and held in Nyala, South Darfur.

In addition, another course in crime scene management began on 22 March in El Geneina, West Darfur. The course was attended by GoS communication and Liaison officers as well as training officers.

UNAMID Medal Parade

A medal parade was organized at UNAMID Headquarters in El Fasher today to decorate military personnel who have served a minimum of ninety-days in the Mission. The ceremony was attended by UNAMID Principal Deputy Joint Special Representative, Mr. Henry Anyidoho; Force Commander General Martin Luther Agwai; and other senior officials and UNAMID staff. The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy-Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, Mr. Idris Abdullah Hassan and the Government of Sudan Liaison Officer, Major General Mohi El-Din Abed.

Medals were presented to Military staff officers and troops of the Rwandan Battallion based in El Fasher.

UNMIS and UNAMID Force Commander visit South Darfur

United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) Force Commander, Major General Pagan Jung Thapa paid a one-day to UNAMID Headquarters yesterday. Upon arrival, Major General Thapa had a meeting with UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Mr. Rodolphe Adada and UNAMID Force Commander, General Martin Luther Agwai. They discussed issues of intermissions cooperation and collaboration.

Following the meeting, Major General Thapa and General Martin Luther Agwai, travelled to Nyala where they were received by UNAMID military senior officials. Upon arrival, they were briefed on UNAMID military operational situation, highlighting the achievements made and challenges and constraints. They were also briefed on the security situation in the region.

During the visit, the delegation inspected the Pakistani Level III Hospital, Nepal Formed Police Unit and Chinese Engineering Company.

INTERVIEW: Sudanese Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmad Harun

Sudanese Minister Ahmad Harun Talks to Asharq Al-Awsat
March 24, 2009 Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat
Interview by Khalid Muhammad

Sudanese Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmad Harun, accused by the ICC of committing war crimes in Darfur, charged humanitarian and relief agencies in Sudan with involvement in suspect espionage activities for a number of international and Western intelligence organs.

Harun said in a telephone interview with Asharq Al-Awsat from Khartoum that these organizations engage in scant humanitarian work and much of what he described as intelligence activities that undermine Sudan's national security.

Harun said that the Sudanese regard him as a national hero, despite the attempts by ICC Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo to prove that his hands are stained with the blood of the victims of Darfur.

He described himself as "a living martyr" in Sudan, pointing out that he had numerous past encounters with death that led to the development of familiarity between them.

Harun said that he was leading his life in a normal way, walking around in markets, and mixing with the ordinary Sudanese. He said there were no restrictions on his travels abroad.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] How do you feel, being a man who fills the world with noise and life?

[Harun] We in Sudan have a saying that hard times soon go away. I believe that we shall transform this crisis, with our national will, into a super national event. We as leaders are now at the peak of mental glow and peace with ourselves. We are confident we shall cross the present crisis successfully, and with Allah's permission we shall emerge from it stronger than the world imagines.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Why did you agree first to the entry of the international organizations and why did you deal with them? What are your observations about them?

[Harun] Of course they presented themselves to Sudanese authorities as humanitarian relief agencies. You must respond to those who advocate humanitarian slogans. But they demonstrated that they engaged in scant humanitarian relief and much intelligence activity that undermines Sudan's national security.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] On whose behalf do they spy?

[Harun] On behalf of their countries. Do not forget that they are American, British, and French organizations.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] You want to say indirectly that the French, American, and British intelligences are involved in the activities of these organizations?

[Harun] Precisely.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Forgive me, but I understood from Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa that President Al-Bashir informed him recently that you are not going to expel more of these agencies?

[Harun] I have no knowledge of what transpired between the President and Amr Musa. But what I know for sure is that the expulsion and deportation is not something arbitrary and that we resort to it due to specific reasons and under certain conditions. When such conditions and reasons exist, we shall do it. The principal guarantee for the continuation of the rest of the organizations in their work in Sudan is their commitment to their humanitarian mandate and that they refrain from involvement in activities that undermine Sudan's national security.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] How do they engage in their activities? What do they do specifically?

[Harun] An array of activities. I mention as examples that are by no means exhaustive the writing of fabricated reports about conditions in Sudan, creating evidence and data that are non-existent, and supplying them to the ICC, in addition to fracturing the social constituents of the Darfur society, and also military, information, and logistics supplies to the armed rebel movements in the province.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you feel pride or do you have personal fears because you are the only citizen in the world whose case prompted his head of state to swear publicly that he would not extradite him?

[Harun] Absolutely not. For us Sudanese in general, fear can find no way into our hearts. I personally always classify myself as a player in injury time, as they say in soccer.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] What do you mean?

[Harun] I was involved in a plane accident in which I could have lost my life. So I have experiences with death. Familiarity develops between death and those who have experiences with death.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] You are the living martyr then?

[Harun] Exactly.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] This does not worry you at all?

[Harun] No, it does not worry me at all. This is why I always remember the Arab poem which says "I sleep soundly without a worry while 'Ocampo' remains sleepless and anxious".

[Asharq Al-Awsat] But the entire regime is on the line, don't you think?

[Harun] It is not so. This is a frivolous issue and a frivolous scene on an absurd international theatre. Inevitably the audience will get bored and leave early before the show is over.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you feel assured that Al-Bashir will keep his word?

[Harun] I feel assured. Let me tell you something important. We agreed on an idea and a major intellectual blueprint before the State was established. This is why treachery and killing have no place in the glossary of our dealings.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do I understand from this that you are not afraid the regime will betray you or resort to liquidating you?

[Harun] No, this is not possible. It is not our thinking and it is not our conduct. It is not in the link that keeps us together.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] What then is the solution for coming out of this crisis?

[Harun] The solution is for the international community to take its hand off Sudan and leave us Sudanese to our affairs. We shall negotiate and engage in dialogue, and inevitably we shall reach a solution to ensure the safety of our country and the aspirations of all the sons of our people.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Has the indictment and the controversy surrounding you affected you personally and socially?

[Harun] Yes, but in a positive manner.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] How?

[Harun] Through expressions of solidarity, encouragement, and support. All this gives me an extra push to make me exert more effort to serve my people and my nation.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Has this led to increased security around you?

[Harun] Absolutely not. I proceed with my life normally.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] What is your normal life?

[Harun] It follows the same program it has followed for years and it stays the same today.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] You mean there is no increase in guards or additional security procedures?

[Harun] None at all.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Can you go to the markets and shop?

[Harun] Yes I go to the markets and I eat, and I share with the people both their festive and sad occasions. No change.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] How do you see yourself in the eyes of your people?

[Harun] They regard me as a national hero who embodies all the targeting of the new international order.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you actually feel that you are such a hero?

[Harun] Allah increases the stature of those who are modest.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Meaning?

[Harun] I leave this to the intelligence of the good reader.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Are you allowed to travel abroad?

[Harun] There are no restrictions on my traveling abroad and I have traveled many times, without there being any attempt to arrest me, contrary to what they claimed.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Are you going to be among Sudan's delegation at the projected Arab summit in Doha?

[Harun] I have no knowledge. The official composition of the delegation that will travel with his Excellency the President has not been announced until now.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you think the President himself will go?

[Harun] I see nothing to prevent him from doing so.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] What do your children at home tell you?

[Harun] This issue incidentally does not elicit the slightest attention, not from me personally or from my family, and not even in the country, not as much as the attention shown by some brothers outside the country. We remember it only when a journalist contacts us or when there is some related occasion.

[Asharq Al-Awsat] Do you have a message to address to the people?

[Harun] My generous brother, this is a very good question from you. Our battle now is the battle of all the Arabs, Africans, and the Third World countries. It is true that I realize that our Arab media is noted for professionalism, but we hope it will be an open-eyed professionalism that contributes to bolstering the pan-Arab position on the whole. I believe you are aware of this role and doing everything that is required in this direction.

UNAMID has supplied 495,000 litres of water to Zam Zam camp in Darfur, W. Sudan

UNAMID continues to provide water to Zam Zam IDP Camp. UNAMID peacekeepers on a mission of public awareness distributed booklets with rules of engagements with unidentified objects to new arrivals at the camp after an unexploded ordnance went off in a shack last Friday injuring three newly displaced children.



Photo: Sudanese refugees line up for water while an UNAMID truck, unseen, which is carrying water donated to the camp, unloads at the Zamzam refugee camp, outside the Darfur town of al-Fasher, Sudan Thursday, March 19, 2009. Tens of thousands newly displaced Sudanese arrived at the overcrowded refugee camp of Zamzam in the last several weeks. (AP/Nasser Nasser)

UNAMID continues to provide water to Zam Zam IDP Camp

From Daily Briefing by United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Monday, March 23, 2009 via APO:

UNAMID distributed 52,000 litres of water to the new arrivals at Zam Zam Internally Displaced Persons Camp yesterday as part of efforts to assist the new arrivals.

UNAMID has supplied a total of 495,000 litres of water to Zam Zam IDP Camp. Water distribution began on 11 March 2009, to support the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the area assisting the new arrivals at the camp. So far, UNAMID has been providing a total of 45,000 litres of water per day and intend to continue until a long term solution is found.

UNICEF, through its implementing partner Water and Environmental Sanitation Project (WES) and in support of Government of Sudan officials, has already dug nine shallow wells and drilled three boreholes as sources of water for the IDP Camp. It is planned to dig ten more wells, equipped with hand pumps, in and around the camp.

Unexploded ordnance went off in a shack, injuring 3 children



Photo: A displaced Sudanese woman selling vegetables, holds a booklet being distributed by UNAMID peacekeepers at Zamzam refugee camp, out side the Darfur town of al-Fasher, Sudan, Monday, March 23, 2009. UNAMID peacekeepers on a mission of public awareness distributed booklets with rules of engagements with unidentified objects to new arrivals at
the camp after an unexploded ordnance went off in a shack last Friday injuring three newly displaced children. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: Newly-arrived displaced Sudanese girls, who are selling bread, look at a booklet that was distributed by UNAMID peacekeepers at Zamzam refugee camp, outside the Darfur town of al-Fasher, Sudan, Monday, March 23, 2009. Every day, a peacekeeper truck pulls into this teeming camp carrying loads of water, and is greeted by long lines of refugees. It's not the troops' job — but after the expulsion of many aid groups in Darfur, everyone is scrambling to fill the gaps in the safety net that keeps millions of refugees alive. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A worker explains a booklet for new arrivals of displaced Sudanese children, that is distributed by UNAMID peacekeepers at Zamzam refugee camp, out side the Darfur town of al-Fasher, Sudan, Monday, March 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: A Sudanese guard walks by rolled up straw roofs, intended for distribution to new refugees to help build shelters, at the compound of the expelled American aid group CHF International at the Zamzam refugee camp, outside the Darfur town of al-Fasher, Sudan Thursday, March 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Expulsion of major NGOs and Darfur rebel leaders' call to refuse Sudan gov't aid prompt food and health fears

Expulsion of major aid agencies and rebel leaders' call to refuse Sudan government aid prompt food and health fears.

Britain and Ireland slam Sudan's "retaliation" aid ban.   Oxfam and Save the Children said they would appeal against the decision to withdraw their licences for operations in Sudan.

The World Food Programme is distributing a two-month ration to 1.1 million displaced people who were served by Care, Solidarites, Action Against Hunger and Save the Children, which have all been expelled.

In Kalma camp in south Darfur, home to 90,000 people, camp leaders have refused to accept government fuel to run the borehole generators, and are trying to raise money to buy their own diesel.

Sources: the following three reports from Guardian, M&C, Sudan Tribune.

Report from Guardian.co.uk by Xan Rice in Nairobi, Tuesday, 24 March 2009 -
Warning as humanitarian crisis deepens in Darfur:

The humanitarian situation in Darfur is growing more precarious by the day following the expulsion of major aid agencies and a call from the main rebel group for displaced people to refuse any government assistance, NGO officials warned today.

The results of the joint UN-government mission to assess the gap in aid provision has not yet been published, but humanitarian workers say the supply of medicine, clean water and food has already been significantly affected, and could worsen in coming weeks.

Some 13 foreign agencies and six local organisations were kicked out of Darfur three weeks ago when the international criminal court issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir.

Numerous hospitals and clinics remain closed, while others are being run by local staff at a basic level. One agency today expressed concern at reports that "non-health professionals" in displaced persons' camps were using the medical equipment it was forced to leave behind.

The World Food Programme is distributing a two-month ration to 1.1 million displaced people who were served by Care, Solidarites, Action Against Hunger and Save the Children, which have all been expelled. But Rachid Jafaar, a WFP official, said this was "unsustainable" and that it could not guarantee all the affected people, at 140 different sites, would receive food.

The situation has been exacerbated by a surge in attacks on aid workers, which have severely restricted the activities of some of the agencies left on the ground. Three foreign Médecins Sans Frontières workers were kidnapped for several days by a militia supportive of Bashir two week ago, causing the agency to temporarily withdraw all its international staff from Darfur. A local employee of a Canadian aid agency was shot dead on Monday night.

Despite pleas from the international community, Sudan's government has refused to reconsider the decision to expel the aid groups, which it accuses of collaborating with the ICC. It insists that local relief agencies, assisted by Khartoum, can fill the gap.

Even if this were possible, the mistrust in Darfur means that much of the government aid will not reach the intended recipients. In Kalma camp in south Darfur, home to 90,000 people, camp leaders have refused to accept government fuel to run the borehole generators, and are trying to raise money to buy their own diesel.

"More people are now relying on hand pumps, but the water is not enough," said Alun McDonald, a spokesman for Oxfam, which helped manage the water supply in Kalma before it was expelled. "Things are getting very tense."

The refusal to allow the government to work in Kalma is based on a widespread suspicion within the camp that the government wants to shut it down. Other camps are also refusing government aid, a move backed by the Justice and Equality Movement, the most effective of Darfur's rebel groups, which said it was taking a "political stance" against the expulsion of the aid agencies.

"Our position is that our people should not accept any food, medicine or other assistance from government agencies," said Ahmed Hussein Adam, a JEM spokesman, speaking by telephone from Darfur.

"How do we know what they will put inside the food or drugs? Bashir cannot be both the oppresser and the helper."

The expelled agencies, which were responsible for more than half the total humanitarian effort in Darfur, where 4.7 million people receive aid, say fear among the remaining groups of being expelled has made gathering information extremely difficult. There are reports that the Sudanese health ministry has deployed in some locations where clinics have been closed, though the extent of the work remains unclear. An emergency meningitis vaccination campaign in Kalma, where several people have died of the disease, has yet to begin.

The International Rescue Committee said that some of its clinics have reopened, although at "drastically reduced hours", while water supply had nearly halved in one camp where it used to operate. Kurt Tjossem, the IRC's regional director, said the sanitation work it carried out had stopped altogether, heightening the risk of disease.

"If such services aren't replaced, this is going to create a huge health hazard, fast. The scale of the humanitarian need in Darfur is simply immense and this has to be recognised."

Photo: Sudanese refugees pass by the site of the looted compound of the expelled British aid group, Oxfam at Al Salam refugee camp, outside the Darfur town of al-Fasher, Sudan Saturday, March 21, 2009. Al Salam refugee camp leaders in Darfur say a dozen men broke into the warehouse of an expelled British aid group, Oxfam, stealing all its contents. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Report from M&C, March 05, 2009 London -
Britain, Ireland slam Sudan's "retaliation" aid ban

The British government Thursday criticised Sudan for retaliating against international aid workers following the arrest warrant issued against President Omar al-Bashir.

Aid organizations have warned that millions of lives would be put at risk by al-Bashir's decision to expel 10 humanitarian groups from the Darfur region, including Oxfam, Save the Children, Care International and Doctors Without Frontiers.

Deputy Labour Party leader Harriet Harman, standing in for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, told parliament that it was important that Sudan should not 'retaliate' against the agencies and refrain from 'escalating' the situation.

In Ireland, Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin urged the Sudanese government to reverse its decision which amounted to using 'extremely vulnerable people as pawns.'

Al-Bashir Wednesday became the first sitting head of state to be served with an arrest warrant for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, a move that has sparked anger, protests, and rallies of suppport in Sudan.

Oxfam and Save the Children said they would appeal against the decision to withdraw their licences for operations in Sudan.

Penny Lawrence, Oxfam's International Director, said the withdrawal of its registration would affect more than 600,000 people who were being given 'vital humanitarian and development aid, including clean water and sanitation on a daily basis.'

Of those, 400,000 were affected by the ongoing conflict in Darfur where people continued to flee from violence and the humanitarian needs remained 'enormous.'

Oxfam GB has operated in northern Sudan since 1983 and currently has 450 staff there, 90 per cent of whom are Sudanese.

Photo: A Sudanese refugee carrying a child walks over strewn documents at the site of the looted compound of the expelled British aid group, Oxfam at Al Salam refugee camp, Saturday, March 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: Sudanese refugee children play with strewn documents at the site of the looted compound of the expelled British aid group, Oxfam at Al Salam refugee camp, Saturday, March 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)



Photo: Sudanese workers are seen at a feeding center of the expelled aid group, Action Contre La Faim, at Al Salam refugee camp, Saturday, March 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Article from Sudan Tribune Tuesday, 24 March 2009 by Wasil Ali - Darfur JEM say 4 IDP children die from malnutrition, criticize Qatar - excerpt:

March 23, 2009 (WASHINGTON) — The Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), warned today that Khartoum’s expulsion of humanitarian groups is taking a toll on the vulnerable population within the IDP camps in the war ravaged region. [...]

Aid groups say that it will be nearly impossible for the United Nations and the remaining aid groups to fill the void left by the evacuating workers.

JEM spokesperson Ahmed Hussein told Sudan Tribune that four children have died at the Shangil Tobaya camp in North Darfur over the last couple of days He disclosed their names as Esam Babiker Yacoub (3 years); Munir Mohamed Ibrahim (9 months); Maitha” Ahmed Musa (7 months); Abdel-Latif Hassan Gar El-Nabi (7 months).

“They died because of the severe shortage in food levels caused by departure of aid groups. There is also an alarming drop in water supplies which will increase the likelihood of mass disease outbreaks” Hussein said via satellite phone from an undisclosed location in Darfur.

The JEM official said that the foreign aid organizations that covered the camp were all evicted per Khartoum’s orders. He accused the government security agents of standing behind last week’s looting of a warehouse in Al-Salam camp owned by the expelled British Oxfam group in North Darfur.

Hussein said that the warehouse guard and another woman were killed during the armed attack.

“The government detained four camp leaders who notified UNAMID of the incident. All of them need to be released immediately and unconditionally” he said.

The JEM spokesperson warned that residents of IDP camps around EL-Geneina in South Darfur may soon be forced to cross borders into Chad in search for food.

“We will hold president Bashir personally responsible for the current situation and any deaths among our people that result from his decision” Hussein said angrily.

Asked about Darfur camp rejecting Sudanese aid groups from offering help, Hussein said that the IDP’s “made the right choice” saying that these are “undercover security agents

“A couple of those organizations are owned or administered by Bashir’s wives and relatives. The head of the Commission for Humanitarian Affairs Hasabu Abdel-Rahman is a security officer working on dismantling those IDP camps” Hussein claimed.

He also criticized the “complicity” of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in its response to expulsion of aid groups.

“The UNSC must intervene under a Chapter VII resolution to avert the imminent humanitarian disaster. Even if China and Russia block it the US and European Union (EU) must act unilaterally” the JEM official said.

“A No-Fly zone must be established over Darfur and we are prepared to secure the ground and provide safe corridors for humanitarian groups through which they can enter” he said.

But a US state department official told Sudan Tribune last week that there is nothing in the works with regard to a No-Fly Zone.

Hussein blasted the Arab League and African Union (AU) saying their positions on the aid group expulsion is “shameful”.

“They would not even utter a single word to condemn the decision by Sudan. How can they remain silent before an intentional campaign to starve the people of Darfur?” he questioned.

He reiterated JEM’s position on suspension of the Qatar hosted peace talks until Sudan rescinds its expulsion order.

“Make no mistake about it. There will be no return to the negotiating table until aid groups are allowed back. The expulsion decision in itself constitutes a violation of the agreement Khartoum signed with us in Doha which provides for facilitation of humanitarian flow” Hussein said.

“If Qatar wants to assert itself as an impartial peace broker they must publicly demand that Khartoum revokes their decision” he added.

Yesterday Qatar urged JEM to continue the peace talks it started last month with Khartoum despite the move against relief groups.

“They [Qataris] asked us to convey a message to the movement saying that we can protest the decision without halting the entire peace process” the head of JEM’s general congress Abu-Bakr Al-Gadi told Agence France press (AFP) yesterday.

Last month JEM and Khartoum signed a goodwill agreement in the Qatari capital, pledging to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the six-year conflict in the western Sudan region of Darfur but a date for the full blown talks has not been fixed yet.

Copy of Comment on this article...
7 Comments

by Namaa
The death of Sudanese children is a grave and disturbing matter, and the issue needs to be addressed before more Sudanese children are lost to malnutrition, which is so easily cureable, specially when the Government of Khartoum’s food banks are full of grains and bursting with several seasons worth of harvest.

What is even more disturbing, is when JEM use this grave matter as a weapon of war, 4 children have died from lack of food, but how many have you killed by your guns...who launched the offensive onslaught in Darfur, who chose to take up weapons to ask for basic services, when you could have taken on the government through peacful channels, JEM did, JEM started the fire on the people of Darfur, JEM used propoganada war tacticts, JEM is refusing to sign any peace agreement and JEM is responsible for escalating the crisis in Darfur.....
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by Saif El Hag
Namaa,You are looking at the elephan but keep spearing its shedow. JEM and the rest of arm struggle groups in Darfour are fighting for their rightful cause, which Khartoum has been denying them ever since.

What JEM and the rest armed groups are doing is a honourable stand against a tyranny of NCP. People like you have no sympathy for who are starving and will starve to death by the Khartoum action. If you are really a person who has a heart and concious you will be siding with the people of Darfour and you will shout down El Bahire and his regime as you did to Israel when the bombed Gaza.

But I think you belong to those groups in Sudan who call themselves ARABS, so let me tell you all loud and clear.. Arabs are the Worst and the most RACIST human species in the face of the world, this is a clear cristal fact,and all their stands and countinous support to their Arab cousins in Sudan.  

Saif El Hag

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by Samani
!!! 4 IDP children died !!
Can JEM get any lower than this ?? Now the repeat like stupid parrots what the british an americans say ’al bashir will be responsible for every death in darfur’ !! Do they wait for these people to tell them what to say.

Ocampo keeps blabbering on about 5000 people death every month in darfur now. So now its 5004?? Oh what a crisis !! quick get the UN and US and ICC involved !! Its all lies lies lies .. those who believe this bull are either ignorant or have a clear agenda against sudan and its people.

Its becoming clear to everyone that JEM have no real agenda or intention of peace. They are working for the french, british and americans trying to make as much trouble in darfur until all of sudan collapses or the government is toppled. Traitors !! Who only want power for themselves.

Al Nur sits in his hotel room in france getting fat and telling everyone when i am president i will do this and that. The JEM look for any excuse to get out of signing a peace treaty. The other sad groups in darfur are headed by greedy people that want power and to be recognized ! I feel sorry for the people of darfur if they expect these people to give them security, peace and prosperity.
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by Logic
Sammani, I think you’re being extremly unfair here! the rebel groups might be taken advatage of by the West but that is no reason to deny the marginlization of the Darfur people by Khartoum elitists.

The Darfuris have a just cause, for too long the Khartoum government has denied many of its sons and daughters their due recognition in society especially after they fought along side their muslim brothers against the South for the sake of religion but now they relize they were simply tools being used by the khartoum elites.

I am not a fan of Khalil Ibrahim or Abdel Wahid but their people deserve better than what they have received.
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by tayeb M. Alhassan
Namaa, We have talked too much about Darfur crises suggesting solutions but these people either never read or never understand. Time is running taking more lives of innocent people in the refugee camps but they don’t care or rather they exploit the disaster to market for their own objectives servicing further agenda imposed on them.

Request for No-Fly-Zone, Petrol for food and other disgusting Iraqi war terms already expired and unusable in Sudan for the administration inverted those terms already gone and the new administration in the White House not interested and much wiser to turn history on reverse mode.

If they really don’t act as ((puppets)) to prolong Darforeans suffering in service of others they have to opt for negotiations whether in Qatar or any place they suggest however they have to put behind any personal interests and act with self-denial, goodwill and determination to reach crises solutions for the wefare of the real agonized people in Darfur.
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by Logic
Tayeb!  You make it sound like it is only the responsibility of JEM and SLM to prevent further deaths in Darfur but in fact the bigger responsibility falls on the government.

There is so much more they could do as well, if they always had the capabilities to feed the hungry, why in God’s name have they not helped the situation before? and why are they not speeding up the repatriation of IDPs to their homelands? etc etc etc....
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by Logic
I don’t have any sympathy for the rebel leaders nor the NCP because they are all equally responsible for the deaths in Darfur but for JEM to encourage the IDPs to refuse food from Khartoum aid agncies because they’re spies sounds to me like irony.

As the main reason cited for the expulsion of the aid agncies was because the NCP accusses them of being western spies. However, if you’re hungry? does it really matter who feeds you or would you be more concerned with being fed!! I would’ve thought...

So JEM is guilty of starving IDPs as much as the NCP is guilty of playig the power game.

If you want peace, you negotiate not attach conditions before you negotiate. You can attach your conditions to a final settlement not for having a conversation about how to stop the deaths.

Gunmen demanding Thuraya satellite phone kill Darfur aid worker

From Reuters Khartoum Tuesday, 24 March 2009:
Gunmen demanding phone kill Darfur aid worker

Gunmen demanding a satellite phone have shot dead a Sudanese aid worker at his home in the Darfur region where he worked for a Canadian charity, the man's employer said on Tuesday.

"He was ambushed two days ago by men demanding a satellite phone. They beat him because he couldn't provide them with a Thuraya (phone)," said Mark Simmons, Sudan country director for the Fellowship for African Relief (FAR).

"They came to his house at 9 p.m. on Monday and when they didn't find a phone there they shot him," he added.

(Reporting by Andrew Heavens; Writing by Cynthia Johnston)

From BBC News Tuesday, 24 March 2009 - excerpts:
Relief worker shot dead in Darfur

A Sudanese worker with a Canadian aid agency has been shot dead in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The man was killed by gunmen who called at his home demanding his satellite phone, the Fellowship for African Relief told Reuters news agency.

"They came to his house at 9pm on Monday and when they didn't find a phone there they shot him," said Mark Simmons, of the charity.

"He was ambushed by men demanding a satellite phone. They beat him because he couldn't provide them with a Thuraya [phone]," Mr Simmons also told Reuters. [...]

Earlier this month, a Canadian woman was among three foreign aid workers kidnapped at gunpoint in Darfur and later freed by a gang calling themselves "Bashir's Eagles". [...]

Tribute to UNAMID peacekeeper - Memorial services for Lance Corporal Ahmed will be held in Nigeria and Darfur

In Memoriam: Lance Corporal John Ahmed
Source: African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID)
23 March 2009

On the last day of his life John Ahmed could be found where his colleagues always knew to look for him: hard at work, ensuring the smooth passage of mail, messages and other information between his battalion and the rest of UNAMID.

The Nigerian Lance Corporal, who had only served with the Mission since last November, had in those four months swiftly acquired a reputation among his peers in Darfur as the most diligent of clerical officers. He was fast, he was thorough and he was someone who could be relied on to ensure the safe transmission of confidential information, a critical aptitude in such a position.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnson Irefin, Lance Corporal Ahmed’s commanding officer, says the peacekeeper – who served in West Darfur for three months before recently transferring to South Darfur – was among his best soldiers.

“His attitude was excellent and his approach to work was very encouraging. He was very dedicated,” Lieutenant-Colonel Irefin says, noting that Lance Corporal Ahmed was always prepared to go the extra mile to assist a colleague.

The 35-year-old was on his way back to the battalion’s headquarters at the “Super Camp” outside Nyala on 17 March when both his vehicle and another were ambushed by unknown gunmen. Lance Corporal Ahmed was shot in the ensuing firefight and later died on his way to El Fasher for medical treatment.

Warrant Officer Anthony Ekoja says he speaks for all of his colleagues when he describes his grief at Lance Corporal Ahmed’s death. Many are wearing black armbands in honour. “We all feel really sad and shocked. His death was so sudden,” he says simply.

Part of the reason for that grief is the sense of absence in so many lives now that Lance Corporal Ahmed has passed away. Quiet and serious thinking, he was a husband, a father to four children, a committed Christian and an apparently self-confessed “football addict”.

The Manchester United fan (his favourite player was Cristiano Ronaldo) suffered when his beloved team was thrashed by rivals Liverpool recently, and was a frequent contributor to inter-battalion games as an attacking midfielder.

But it was his faith that sustained him, both before and during his time in Darfur. Lance Corporal Ahmed attended church regularly and could often be found reading a religious book or involved in church activities, Warrant Officer Ekoja recalls.

Memorial services for Lance Corporal Ahmed will be held in both Nigeria and Darfur.

The blue helmet was the fourteenth UNAMID casualty as a result of hostile actions since the Mission took over operations from the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) at the start of 2008.

+ + + Rest In Peace + + +



Photo: Flowers in El-Fashir, northern Darfur, western Sudan (Photo by Andrew Heavens/Sudan Watch archives 2006)

[UNAMID link with thanks to Andrew Heavens' tweet from Khartoum]

SaveDarfur.org needs $150,000 by March 31 to fund their "work"

Email received today from SaveDarfur.org:

NEW VIDEO: We must act for Darfur now

Starvation and disease threaten millions in Darfur.

What we do RIGHT NOW will determine their fate.

There isn't a moment to lose! Watch and donate today.

Dear friend,

We've entered a new phase of destruction in Darfur. Millions of people in refugee camps depend on food and medicine from aid groups the government of Sudan recently expelled from the county. Thousands could die.

It's going to take relentless pressure in the next few weeks to ensure world leaders act to restore aid to Darfur—and bring a lasting peace to Sudan.

We wanted to share a video that we put together to express the dire urgency of this moment—and we've set a goal of raising $150,000 by March 31 to fund our work. Can you help us meet it?

Watch this video and rush your urgent $50 gift to us today. What we do right now will determine the fate of innocents in Darfur.

The International Criminal Court's recent decision to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has sent out a ripple of hope. And last week, President Obama appointed General J. Scott Gration as his special envoy to Sudan. But these positive steps forward are just the beginning.

President Obama must lead the effort to protect Darfuri civilians by spearheading an urgent and sustained diplomatic push to establish humanitarian access in Darfur and lasting peace for all Sudan.

What will compel him to act? The same thing that has gotten us this far—a constituency of conscience, a grassroots movement of towering strength and unyielding passion for justice.

We will work around the world and around the clock to end the genocide—pressuring governments, organizing community activists, introducing Darfuris and their stories to the media and key policymakers. But we can't do it without your support.

We don't have a moment to lose—watch the video and donate $50 now.

Thank you so much for everything you've done. I know we can count on you now, when the people of Darfur need us most.

Sincerely,

Suzie Armstrong
Save Darfur Coalition

The Save Darfur Coalition is an alliance of over 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations whose mission is to raise public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and to mobilize a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of more than two million people in the Darfur region. To learn more, please visit http://www.SaveDarfur.org.


Not a moment to lose—give today!

With new hope for peace in Darfur comes renewed danger for the Darfuri people.

In coming weeks, we will relentlessly pressure President Obama and other world leaders to take bold action to isolate Bashir and end the crisis in Sudan. But we can't do it alone.

We've committed to raising $150,000 by March 31 to ensure this moment doesn't slip away. Please help by filling out the fields below and making your gift today.

Please select a donation amount:
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- - -
Note, Sudan Watch March 23, 2009: Save Darfur movement spends its annual budget of $15 million not on assisting victims but on spreading the message

U.S. students collect shoes to illustrate Darfur 'genocide'

You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried.

From wtop.com March 23, 2009
Students collect shoes to illustrate genocide

Photo: The shoes will be donated to people in homeless shelters.

ASHBURN, Va. - In an effort to raise awareness about the number of people killed in Darfur, students at Briar Woods High School are collecting shoes -- 400,000 pairs of them.

The plan is to put the shoes on display on the National Mall April 26.

"Our hope is that the image will be hard to ignore. Our hope is the impact will last in people's minds and in their hearts," says a Web site set up to promote the Shoes on the Mall effort.

After they're displayed, the shoes will be donated to homeless shelters.

The students are getting donations from as far away as New Zealand.

The school is getting help from dozens of elementary schools, high schools, retirement centers and universities, including Virginia Tech and the College of William & Mary.

Of course, they're looking for more. Here's where you can send your donations:

Briar Woods High School
c/o Logan Williams
22525 Belmont Ridge
Ashburn, Virginia 20148
If you want more information about the project, contact Logan Williams at logan.williams@loudoun.k12.va.us.

See Sudan Watch March 23, 2009: Save Darfur movement spends its annual budget of $15 million not on assisting victims but on spreading the message

5 Sudanese rebel groups agree to join Qatari peace initiative

Last week, five Darfur rebel groups signed an agreement in Libya to take part in the Doha peace process with one delegation. The signatories of the common ground deal are: the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) – Unity, SLM led by Khamis Abdallah Abakr, the United Resistance Front (URF), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Idriss Azrag faction, and the SLM- Juba faction.



Photo: Qatari state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed Bin-Abdullah Al-Mahmoud

Source: Sudan Tribune Monday 23 March 2009 -
Qatar urges Darfur JEM to drop link between peace talks and aid groups

March 22, 2009 (DOHA) — The Qatari government today called on the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to continue the peace talks it started last month with Khartoum.

Darfur JEM announced this week that it has decided to suspend its participation in the Doha peace process, one month after signing a goodwill agreement with the Sudanese government in the Qatari capital. [...]

The head of JEM’s general congress Abu-Bakr Al-Gadi told Agence France press (AFP) that the Qatari state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed Bin-Abdullah Al-Mahmoud made the appeal during their meeting today in Doha.

“They asked us to convey a message to the movement saying that we can protest the decision without halting the entire peace process” Al-Gadi said.

“We understand and appreciate the Qatari effort because it is one that seeks peace for the Darfuri people and this is our position as well”.

Al-Mahmoud met today with the Sudanese ambassador in Doha and Al-Gadi separately which according to Qatari news agency discussed latest developments with regard to the goodwill agreement signed last month and addition of new rebel groups to the talks.

Last week five Darfur rebel groups signed an agreement in Libya to take part in the Doha peace process with one delegation. The signatories of the common ground deal are: the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) – Unity, SLM led by Khamis Abdallah Abakr, the United Resistance Front (URF), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) Idriss Azrag faction, and the SLM- Juba faction.

Al-Gadi said that he “promised them [Qatar] good and that we will transmit the request to our leaders on the ground” before adding that Khartoum’s decision “violates the spirit of the Doha agreement”.

JEM has previously said that the expulsion of aid groups is a breach of the goodwill agreement “which provides that the parties commits themselves to refrain from IDP’s harassment and to not obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to the displaced”.

The JEM official also said that Khartoum is “dragging its feet” in submitting the list of their POW’s that they pledged to release while they have provided a list of Sudanese soldiers they are holding.

Last year the Darfurian rebel group staged a bold attack and fought fierce battles with the Sudanese army on the outskirts of the capital before they were repulsed.

However in February both JEM and Khartoum signed a goodwill agreement in the Qatari capital, pledging to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the six-year conflict in the western Sudan region of Darfur but a date for the full blown talks has not been fixed yet.

Hassan al-Turabi fuels Darfur war

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum on Friday, Dr. Hassan al-Turabi said that he will not keep quiet as long as people in Darfur are being killed by government forces. What a weasel. Why isn't he being investigated for his part in the Darfur war?

The only people who can stop the rebellion are the rebels themselves. None of them are interested in peace. They're bloodsucking leeches living off the backs of poor uneducated Africans while getting away with murder. The law is an ass.

From Sudan Radio Service 22 March 2009 (Khartoum) -

The leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party has reiterated his position on President al-Bashir and the ICC issue, saying that President al-Bashir and his government are responsible for the atrocities in Darfur.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum on Friday, Dr. Hassan al-Turabi said that he will not keep quiet as long as people in Darfur are being killed by government forces.

[Hassan Al-Turabi]:” Say we count the victims in thousands, in hundreds, those being raped, being evicted from their homes, the killing and torturing of children and the continued detention of people - should we keep quiet about all this? He continues to kill civilians. Imagine ten thousand people have been killed. Our religion says that killing one person is just like killing all the people. And if he has killed 250,000 people? You have displaced thousands of people from their homes and villages. You have burned their villages and chased them away. This government has really shamed us. In god’s name, we are really ashamed!”

Al-Turabi stressed that President al-Bashir should go to The Hague and appear before the ICC.

[Al-turabi]:”I told him, please go and cleanse yourself, go there and defend yourself and say you have not done this and that, and you have not ordered the execution of any act. Go there and deny all these charges. The warrant of arrest has been issued for him and they told him to go to the ICC and if he does not go to the ICC, he will be arrested. He is now a fugitive. This is a shame on us as a nation. It is more painful for us than for him”.

Al-Turabi also accused the Government of National Unity of controlling the country’s judiciary.

[Al-Turabi]:” There is supposed to be justice in Sudan. Our judges are supposed to be independent and these judges know whether they judge in favor of the government or against the government. They know that if they don’t support the government they risk being sacked, or being transferred. The judges say they cannot be independent because the government orders them to do this and not to do that”.

Al-turabi was arrested by security agents and detained for two months after a statement to the media in January. He had said that President al-Bashir should go to The Hague to stand trial for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
Al-Turabi was unexpectedly released a few days after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against al-Bashir earlier this month.

Save Darfur movement spends its annual budget of $15 million not on assisting victims but on spreading the message

From Boston.com
Politics and humanitarianism
By Anna Mundow, March 22, 2009

Mahmood Mamdani, a third-generation East African of Indian descent, grew up in Uganda, studied at Harvard, taught at various African and American universities, and is currently Herbert Lehman Professor of Government at Columbia University. A political scientist and anthropologist, he is best known for "Good Muslim, Bad Muslim" and "When Victims Become Killers." His latest book, "Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics, and the War on Terror" (Pantheon, $26.95), meticulously exposes the tangled roots of the current conflict and the global forces at play in Darfur. Mamdani spoke from his home in New York City.

Q. Is there a link between this book and your previous work?

A. There are several; the most obvious is an understanding of the way in which the Cold War almost seamlessly morphed into the war on terror. Another connection - with my work on the Rwanda genocide and on the effect of colonialism in Africa - is the way in which identities are imposed from above.

Q. Such as who is an Arab, a Muslim, an African?

A. Yes. Interestingly, [originally] "Africa" was a word the Romans used for their North African province. But after the trans-Atlantic slave trade, "Africa" referred to parts of the continent from which slaves were hunted and sold. In Sudan, where everybody was equally native, the British arbitrarily identified certain groups as African and others as Arab.

Q. Why do you concentrate on the Save Darfur campaign?

A. In a context where African tragedies seem never to be noticed, I wondered why Darfur was an obsession with the global media. The reason, I realized, was that Darfur had become a domestic issue here, thanks to the Save Darfur movement. So I thought it important to examine the movement's history, organization, and message. I learned that this self-confessedly political group whose level of organization is phenomenal spends its annual budget of $15 million not on assisting victims but on spreading the message.

Q. Why?

A. There are various motives. One part of the group emerged out of solidarity with the struggle in south Sudan and believes that Darfur is another version of south Sudan. Most have no idea of the difference between the two situations. Another wing is what I understand to be neoconservatives who want to incorporate Darfur into the war on terror. Both groups reinforce the racialization of the conflict and the demonization of the Arabs.

Q. For political reasons?

A. For political reasons. There are few sources that really analyze Save Darfur; the clearest I found was an article [see copy here below] by Gal Beckerman in the Jerusalem Post ["US Jews leading Darfur rally planning," April 27, 2006]. The facts there speak for themselves.

Q. Yet you say that this campaign depoliticizes Americans?

A. I'm struck by the contrast between the mobilization around Darfur and the lack of mobilization around Iraq. The explanation, I believe, lies in the fact that Save Darfur presented the conflict as a tragedy, stripped of politics and context. There were simply "African" victims and "Arab" perpetrators motivated by race-intoxicated hatred. Unlike Iraq, about which Americans felt guilty or impotent, Darfur presented an opportunity to feel good. It appealed to the philanthropic side of the American character. During the presidential election, Save Darfur's constituency became integrated into the Obama campaign, and I welcomed that opportunity to organize around real concerns. The downside now is the attempt by Save Darfur to pressure the Obama administration to intervene militarily in Darfur.

Q. Are you saying that humanitarianism is a form of colonialism?

A. I'm saying that historically it has been. The movement after which Save Darfur patterned itself is the antislavery movement of the 19th century. Remember that the elimination of slavery was the ostensible reason given by British officials for colonization of the African continent. The cataloging of brutalities - real ones, not exaggerated - was essential preparation for seizing chunks of real estate, again ostensibly to protect victims. Today, the humanitarian claim uses ethics to displace politics. Conflicts are typically presented as tribal or race wars between perpetrators and victims whose roles are unchanging.

Q. Does the problem lie in who uses the humanitarian label?

A. The language of human rights was once used primarily by the victims of repression. Now it has become the language of power and of interventionists who turn victims not into agents but into proxies. It has been subverted from a language that empowers victims to a language that serves the designs of an interventionist power on an international scale.

Q. Do you worry about the reaction to this book?

A. My experience is that it is better to defend what you have said than to explain why you left half the case unsaid. I worried about the extent to which the book is readable because the middle chapters are in-depth historical exploration. I worried about losing the general reader. But faced with a human-rights constituency determined to decontextualize this issue, I felt compelled to examine Darfur in both a regional and a historical context, focusing on its complexity. This morning I received figures from UNAMID [the United Nations Mission in Darfur] in Khartoum, on civilian deaths from conflict in Darfur during 2008. The figure was 1,520, with 600 dead as a result of the conflict in the south between different Arab groups over grazing land and 920 deaths attributable, I am told, more to rebel movements than to the government-organized counterinsurgency. This is the kind of complexity that has been totally simplified.

Anna Mundow, a freelance journalist living in Central Massachusetts, is a correspondent for the Irish Times. She can be reached via e-mail at ama1668@hotmail.com.

- - -

Aprril 27, 2006 - Updated Apr 28, 2006
US Jews leading Darfur rally planning
By GAL BECKERMAN

Photo: Anti-America rally in Darfur, Sudan (AP)

Thousands of people will be marching this Sunday in Washington, DC under a banner that carries a simple two-word demand: "Save Darfur."

This is the name of the coalition organizing the rally, the first public action of its size intended to focus attention to the past three years of mass killing and ethnic cleansing carried out by the Sudanese government against the ethnically black farmers living in the Western region of Darfur. By most accounts, over 200,000 people have been massacred and two million displaced in a campaign that the US government and the United Nations two years ago decided to term genocide.

The rally, and the coalition that is organizing it, is hoping to pierce the consciousness of Americans and pressure the Bush administration into taking a more active line to end the conflict and help the refugees of the violence - most of whom are living in degrading conditions in neighboring Chad.

For this effort, the coalition has recruited major celebrities like George Clooney and Elie Wiesel to speak to those assembled. Though recent reports have indicated that the turnout might be lower than expected, organizers, while refusing to give a concrete number, believe it will be in "the tens of thousands."

Little known, however, is that the coalition, which has presented itself as "an alliance of over 130 diverse faith-based, humanitarian, and human rights organization" was actually begun exclusively as an initiative of the American Jewish community.

And even now, days before the rally, that coalition is heavily weighted with a politically and religiously diverse collection of local and national Jewish groups.

A collection of local Jewish bodies, including the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, United Jewish Communities, UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, sponsored the largest and most expensive ad for the rally, a full-page in The New York Times on April 15.

Though there are other major religious organizations, like the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals, both of which have giant constituencies that number in the millions, these groups have not done the kind of extensive grassroots outreach that will produce numbers.

Instead, the Jewish Community Relations Council, a national organization with local branches that coordinate communal activity all over America, has put on a massive effort to bus people to Washington on Sunday. Dozens of buses will be coming from Philadelphia and Cleveland. Yeshiva University alone, in upper Manhattan, has chartered eight buses.

Besides the Jewish origins and character of the rally - a fact the organizers consistently played down in conversations with The Jerusalem Post - the other striking aspect of the coalition is the noted absence of major African-American groups like the NAACP or the larger Africa lobby groups like Africa Action. When asked to comment, representatives of both groups insisted they were publicizing the rally but had not become part of the coalition or signed the Unity Statement declaring Save Darfur's objectives.

The coalition's roots go back to the spring of 2004 following a genocide alert, the first ever of its kind, issued by the United States Holocaust Museum. An emergency meeting was coordinated by the American Jewish World Service, an organization that serves as a kind of Jewish Peace Corps as well as an advocacy group for a variety of humanitarian and human rights issues.

At the meeting, which was attended by numerous American Jewish organizations and a few other religious groups, it was decided that a coalition would be formed based on a statement of shared principles.

After a year of programming that involved raising awareness about the genocide, the coalition came up with the idea for a rally in Washington. Planning began in the fall of 2005.

David Rubenstein, the director or "coordinator," as he prefers it, of the coalition says that, given that the groups who started the coalition were Jewish, "it's not surprising that they had the numbers of more Jewish organizations in their rolodexes."

He says that the Jewish community has been "extraordinarily responsive and are really providing the building for this thing," and yet he insists that the coalition has worked "very, very hard to be inclusive, to make sure there are people beyond the usual suspects."

This is a sentiment echoed by Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service and one-time Manhattan borough president and Democratic mayoral candidate for New York City. The world service and Messinger personally have been at the forefront of planning for the rally. Much of the Jewish turnout has been a result of her lobbying efforts.

She thinks the strong Jewish response has to do with the memories of Rwanda. "The Jewish community has probably had a higher level of lingering guilt over Rwanda than the average person," Messinger says. "And now learning about another genocide, I think people are beginning to understand that we are close to making a mockery of the words 'Never Again.'"

Still, there are critics who say the heavy Jewish involvement might have deterred some other groups from joining.

The fact that the aggressors in Darfur are Arab Muslims - though it should be said that the victims are also mostly Muslim - and are supported by a regime in Khartoum that is backed by the Arab League has made some people question the true motives of some of the Jewish organizations involved in the rally.

Committee of Muslim Scholars in Khartoum tells Sudan's Bashir to drop Qatar trip as "enemies of the nation are creeping around"

An earlier news report here today at Sudan Watch - and on Friday - reveals that Sudanese rebel group JEM has quit participating in Darfur peace talks hosted by Doha, Qatar.

A report today from Alarabiya.net [Sunday, 22 March 2009] tells us that Sudan clerics tell Bashir to drop Qatar trip. Khartoum's scholars warn "enemies are creeping around". There has been speculation about Bashir's possible arrest if he leaves Sudan. Here is the report in full, followed by a news report: "Qatar Under No Obligation to Arrest Al-Bashir"

KHARTOUM (AlArabiya.net, Agencies) -- Sudan's highest religious authority has issued a fatwa or ruling that President Omar al-Bashir, targeted by an international arrest warrant, should not attend an Arab summit in Qatar.

The fatwa, issued by the Committee of Muslim Scholars, said that despite Khartoum's insistence that Bashir would go to the March 29-30 Doha summit, he should not attend because "the enemies of the nation are creeping around."

"It is inadmissible for the president of the republic to take part in the Arab League summit in Qatar under current conditions while the enemies of God and of the nation are creeping around," local media quoted the text as saying.

The International Criminal Court on March 4 issued an arrest warrant against Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur and there has been speculation about his possible arrest if he leaves Sudan.

"Because you are the symbol and the guardian of the nation...we think that the conditions are not right (to attend the summit) and that this task can be carried out by persons other than yourself," the fatwa said.

Implementing ICC warrants

The ICC does not have a police force and therefore calls on signatory states to implement warrants.

Qatar is not a member of the International Criminal Court and would have no legal obligation to arrest the president if he entered its territory.

The ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has warned in the past that any plane carrying Bashir in international airspace could be intercepted, though the court has no enforcement apparatus of its own.

Besides the possibility of his arrest in Qatar, some officials in Sudan fear that Bashir's presidential jet could be intercepted by other states once out of Sudanese airspace.

Before the authority issued its statement, Sudanese presidential spokesman Mahjoub Fadul told Reuters the government had not decided whether Bashir would attend the Qatar summit.

Fadul said security arrangements had been put in place in case Bashir did make the journey. He was not immediately available for comment on Sunday.

The Arab League and the African Union have both criticized the warrant as not helping to end the six-year-old Darfur conflict and called for the United Nations to exercise its right to defer it.

The United Nations says 300,000 people have died in the conflict between ethnic minority rebels and the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum, which puts the figure at only 10,000. An estimated 2.7 million people more have fled their homes.

- - -

Report from Asharq Al-Awsat by Abdullah Mustapha, March 22, 2009:
Qatar Under No Obligation to Arrest Al-Bashir- ICC

Brussels, Asharq Al-Awsat- The International Criminal Court [ICC] Spokeswoman Laurence Blairon has stated to Asharq Al-Awsat the ICC cannot force the state of Qatar to arrest Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and hand him over to the court to answer charges leveled at him on war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Sudanese Province of Darfur.

She added: "Now that the court has issued its decision early this month, the next step is for us to expect President Al-Bashir to voluntarily come to The Hague, or to expect the Sudanese Government to hand him over to us."

She noted that if President Al-Bashir continues to refuse to appear before the court or if the Sudanese Government refuses to hand him over, the judges will refer the case to the UN Security Council for the necessary measures.

The ICC spokeswoman said there is no definitive timeframe during which Al-Bashir must give himself up or during which Sudan or any other state must hand him over. Also, no definitive timeframe can be determined for the judges to take a decision to refer the case to the UN Security Council. Such action may take place in a week, month, or a year, she added.

In reply to a question as to what will happen if Al-Bashir arrives in Qatar to take part in the next Arab summit, the ICC spokeswoman said: "Qatar represents a special case because it is not a signatory of the court's statute. On that basis, the court cannot force Qatar to arrest Al-Bashir and hand him over."

She added: "At the same time, however, Qatar is member of the United Nations, and the international organization's resolution on the establishment of the court obliges the member states to cooperate with the court and respect its decisions."

She went on: "Accordingly, if the state of Qatar hands Al-Bashir over to the court, it will have cooperated with the court, in implementation of a previous decision."

She noted: "However, if Qatar does not arrest Al-Bashir and refuses to hand him over to the court, should he arrive in Qatar to participate in the summit, the court will inform the UN Security Council of the situation. Afterward, the Security Council will take the appropriate measures vis-à-vis Qatar or any other state that refuses to cooperate with the court if Al-Bashir visits it."

When I asked the ICC spokeswoman what would happen if the Sudanese Government handed the other two wanted persons, Ali Kushayb and Ahmad Harun, to the court, and the arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir was postponed or cancelled, she immediately interrupted my question and said: "No, never. We will not accept such an offer." She added: "There will be no alternative to the implementation of the ICC decisions, whether regarding Al-Bashir or other wanted persons."

On Wednesday, 4March 2009, the ICC approved the request that the prosecution presented on 14July 2008 to issue an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Al-Bashir.

It is recalled that, on 20 November 2008, the ICC public prosecutor submitted a request to the Pre-Trial Chamber I to issue an arrest warrant against three rebel leaders in Darfur for war crimes that were committed against the African Union peacekeepers in (Hasaknitah), Darfur, on 29 September 2007.

The UN Security Council referred the Darfur case to the ICC under its Resolution 1593, which it passed on 31 March 2005. On 6 June 2005, the ICC public prosecutor decided to open an investigation into this case.

The legal action that was taken against these three leaders is the third of its kind in such a case.

In the past, Pre-Trial Chamber I issued two arrest warrants against Ahmad Muhammad Harun, a former minister of state for internal affairs in the Sudanese Government and current minister of state for humanitarian affairs, and Ali Muhammad Abdul -Rahman, also known by the name of Ali Kushayb, who is leader of the Janjawid militia. The arrest warrants were issued for their alleged responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In its latest decision early this month, however, the ICC excluded charges of genocide against Al-Bashir and reduced the list of charges against him from 10 to only seven.

JEM says no to Doha Qatar peace talks - "war crimes being committed" in Darfur

Head of the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) Khalil Ibrahim said that his group will no longer attend the peace talks hosted in Doha, Qatar, because President Omar el-Beshir’s decision to expel the NGOs condemns his people to death.

“Unfortunately, the government violated the good intention agreement… [when it] expelled 13 NGOs from Darfur. This is a real violation of one of the provisions [of the agreement],” Sulaiman Sandal, Jem’s chief of staff told RFI.

“We are calling on the international community so as to take responsibility that there is genocide going on, by depriving our people of food – there are war crimes being committed”, Sandal said from Darfur.

Source: Radio France Internationale 21 March 2009 - Darfur rebel group pulls out of peace talks- - -

UPDATE: See Sudan Watch, Tuesday, March 24, 2009: Qatari PM denies withdrawal of Sudan's JEM from peace talks

Defer ICC arrest warrant against Bashir

In the following excerpt from Eric Reeves' opinion piece at the Boston Globe, Reeves states that "before the ICC announcement, Darfuri sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of al-Bashir's arrest warrant." Surely such a sweeping statement authored by someone based in the USA is nonsense. Even Rob Crilly who writes for the Times and recently reported direct from Darfur, was hard pressed to find any displaced people who had heard of the ICC. Eric Reeves' articles are well written but terribly misleading and inaccurate.

Arrest warrant too costly for Darfur
By Eric Reeves
March 21, 2009 - excerpt:

The one option that remains - a distinct long shot - is Security Council deferral of the al-Bashir prosecution for a year under Chapter 16 of the ICC's Rome Statute, in return for re-admission of humanitarians with security guarantees. A Chapter 16 deferral has long been expediently supported by the Arab League and African Union; however, for Western nations - including Security Council permanent members France, Great Britain, and the US - supporting a deferral now would be transparently succumbing to the ugliest form of blackmail. And yet given the inaction by the West and other international actors, are we in any position to invoke scruples about "deferring" international justice? Does anyone dare say that justice for Darfur must go forward, even at the expense of countless Darfuri lives threatened by humanitarian expulsions?

Before the ICC announcement, Darfuri sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of al-Bashir's arrest warrant. That may well be changing, however, as suffering and deprivation grow. Is anyone bothering to ask the people of Darfur?

Eric Reeves, a Smith College professor, is author of "A Long Day's Dying: Critical Moments in the Darfur Genocide."
---

Comment by Karana Dharma, an independent consultant focusing on community peacebuilding:

Eric Reeves opines that we have two options in the face of the growing conflict in Darfur - to defer the indictment of President El Bashir or stick to our guns at the cost of a humanitarian crisis that will cost human lives.

With all due respect to Professor Reeves and his very laudable work in this area, these two options leave the Darfuri people and the international community at the same stalemate that has led to the current standoff.

I worked for a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Sudan for over a year and the manipulations of the humanitarian community, both by the rebels and government officials, has long been the status quo. National and international NGOs are regularly denied access to one area in favor of another in a game of chess with the relief organizations as the pawns.

The current limited expulsion of 13 relief organizations and the threat to kick out or restrict the access of the remaining 85 operating on the ground is a heavy play on the part of the government to force the international community to limit its analysis to the very two options Mr. Reeves has presented.

But what Mr. Reeves and other analysts seem to ignore is that relief and recovery/development organizations in Darfur have faced the cancellation of their licenses and expulsion from Darfur many times before. Each time, with a few exceptions, they have won out with persistent shuttle diplomacy, appeals at the local administrative offices, and finally pressure from the Darfuri people themselves, especially the thousands who would lose their jobs when the projects folded and the hundreds of thousands of dollars that will be lost to the local market. In this current crisis, NGOs have reverted to this old playbook and started working with whomever will listen to get a quiet reversal of the political decision or at least an extension to allow them to work until the political storm has found a more appropriate target. But thus far, no clear target has presented itself. And here is where the international community is failing Darfur.

The US government and its European allies have developed a very confusing relationship with Sudan - ally in the war on terror, pariah in the human rights world, trading partner in the market for oil and gum arabic. This type of bi-polar diplomacy is hardly unique to Sudan but it clouds the field, hinders bilateral dialog, and makes any representative of the international community in Sudan fair game from the Sudanese administration's perspective.

Presenting a strong diplomatic team with a clear and transparent agenda will help to diffuse the current crisis and allow the local and international NGOs to go back to work, and spare the Sudan officials the embarrassment of admitting that they do not have the capacity to handle the crisis without help.

One parting anecdote, back in 2008, shortly after the ICC prosecutor submitted his request for an indictment against President El Bashir, the Sudanese Humanitarian Assistance Commission (HAC) began replacing the technocrats who approved and tracked the activities of the relief operations in Darfur with security agents loyal to the government in the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Suddenly, travel and work authorizations, normally approved on the spot, were held up for days or weeks or simply denied out of hand without explanation. The backlog of food and non-food items and various other programming and services created such a uproar among the Darfur people that local security officials began to fear for their lives and quietly left the Darfur capitals on permanent vacations. The technocrats returned and the work resumed.

Should the Darfuri people get a say in all this? The short answer is yes, but first you need to be clear who is speaking and who has the right to speak on their behalf. Is the local NGOs? Is it the rebel leaders? Is it the national, state, or local governments? The traditional leaders such as the Sheikhs, Shattais, Omdas? To some degree, all the above have lost influence and trust among their own people. But I agree that the need for Darfuri self-expression is desperately needed. A few programs on the ground are seeking to help local communities find their voice, and we have not heard any mention of the ICC or the desire for peace negotiations to continue. Even the word peace has been so deformed that it is associated with wat and politics.

The Darfur people need something more. Local and international groups are attempting to bring them a broader range of self-expression than the ICC and Peace. But the diplomats need to do their part to keep the options open.