A meeting of leadership of the National Democratic Alliance took place in Asmara, during the period of July 14-20, 2004, at which it discussed the situation in the Sudan with particular reference to the situation in Darfur. It also reviewed the Niefasha Agreement concluded between the Sudanese government and the People’s Movement for Liberation of the Sudan.
The conclusions reached at by the meeting state the following :
The Alliance considers in this connection the following measures to be essential conditions without which the Niefasha Agreement cannot achieve its desired objectives :
Other News from Sudan
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
Human Rights Alert: 22 December 2004
Detention of Fur tribe Members from Terbo Village
On 13 December, security forces in Nyala arrested 5 men belonging to the Fur tribe from Terbo village near Almalam, north east of Nyala. The details of the men are as follows:
1. Khaleel Adam, 50 yrs, tribal leader
2. Ali Ahmed Adam, 52 yrs, Teacher
3. Issa Dawood Maohamed, 40 yrs, Teacher
4. Abdella Ismeal Abaker, 45 yrs, Teacher
5. Yousif Ahmed Adam, 35 yrs, Teacher
Reportedly on 12 December, the 5 detainees were solicited by government authorities in Nyala to act as representatives on behalf of the Fur tribe to negotiate a peace settlement with local Arab tribes. The 5 men initially refused stating that they were not assigned to represent the Fur tribe. The men later agreed to seek permission from Fur tribe members and tribal leaders for them to negotiate on their behalf, at which point, the government considered the 5 men as uncooperative.
1) The Sudanese crisis with all its depth, complexity and entire connected aspects that are peace, unity, democracy and balanced development cannot be solved through the creation of alliance or partnership between two parties. It cannot also be dealt with as a secondary by-product of the solution of the civil war in the South of the Sudan. It is the duty of all the Sudanese political and social forces represented by different parties and organizations. The agreement did not put an end to the factors of separation, and the dangers to the unity of the country. This is the responsibility of all in the North and the South. Therefore, the NDA considers that it is necessary to present the final agreement that will be reached by the two parties to a broad conference made up of representatives of all Sudanese political forces.
2) The Sudanese political forces should agree on a program of national consensus that will govern the transitional period. A the same time, all transitory machineries should commit themselves to the implementation of this program. Similarly, the various political parties should be guided by it in their political practices. This program should be based on commitment to the peace agreement concluded between the SPLA and the Sudanese government. Furthermore, it should deal with the shortcomings and negative aspects of the agreement including the question of balanced political participation in the proposed legislative, executive and other institutions of the transitional period. On the basis of this program and in accordance with its contents. The NDA will determine its participation in the transitional state machinery.
The NDA deems it necessary to link the Niefasha Peace Agreement to the immediate tackling of the deepening crisis in Darfur with both its humanitarian and political aspects. The proper approach to that would be the;
recognition of the fact that what is happening in Darfur is a true result of the general crisis in which the Sudan is living. The most important reflections of this general crisis are the continued marginalization of the outlined regions of the country including Darfur, as well as the recognition that the problem of Darfur is a political problem requiring a national political solution.
4) The Sudanese government should immediately commit itself to the implementation of all the requirements of political transofrmation: Guarantee of political freedoms, annulment of emergency laws restricting freedom, lifting the state of emergency, lifiting censorship of the press, respecting freedom of political and trade union activities, etc.
5) Basing itself on the framework of the national consensus called for by the Alliance, as well as basing itself on the wealth distribution protocol signed by the two parties, the Alliance deems it necessary that an agreement be achieved concerning an appropraite and effective machinery to rebuild the Sudanese economy and to tackle questions of unbalanced development in the country, provided that priority is given to tackling living conditions and daily sufferings of the Sudanese citizens. In this connection, the Alliance proposes that commitment be made to convening a national economic conference prior to the transitional period, the conclusion of which should become a part of the transitional period program.
6) To tackle the question of refugees forcedly displaced and the immigrants and to work for their return to their original places.
7) To tackle the issue of those arbitrary dismissed from their jobs, from their civilian jobs and military commissions.
8) Calling to account all those responsible for human rights violations and responsible for financial and administrative corruption during the rule of the National Islamic Front.
9) Achieving national reconciliation based on uncovering the truth.
The meeting also adopted a paper on strategy and options before the Alliance for the post signing of the agreement which states the following.
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Several basic and pivotal factors dictate the determination of the Alliance’s options in tackling the new realities resulting from the agreement :
1) In spite of the fact that SPLA has signed the peace protocols with the government, it will remain as part of the NDA abiding with its decisions
above all the Asmara Documents of 1995 concerning issues affecting the Sudan destiny.
2) The basic and necessary conditions for achieving democratic transformation and consolidation of peace is continued unity of the NDA as well as continued development of its visions, program and work machinery in a manner that corresponds to the developments dictated by the Agreement and to the requirements of the new political realities. In this regards, the Alliance will elaborate a specific work program that will be implemented in two levels :
- The internal level : It will mobilize the mass movement to achieve the democratic transformation, to support the peace process and to transform the agreement into a comprehensive one including the inclusion of Darfur and Eastern Sudan in the formula.
- On the outside level : The Alliance will undertake to assure all possible support to the Alliance activities inside the Sudan and to the expected dialogue with the government.
Darfur
The Alliance discussed the situation in Darfur in the presence of the National Liberation Movement of Darfur – the Alliance’s newest member – and reached the following statement:
« The Sudan National Liberation Movement (Darfur) participated in the meeting for the first time, respresented by the President and Secretary General. It presented a detailed review of developments in Darfur. A resolution adopted by the meeting stated:
The leadership affirms its condemnation of the terrible deterioration of human conditions in Darfur and demands the following :
1) Respect of the cease fire agreed upon the SNLM (Darfur) and the government.
2) Immediate disbanding and disarming the Janjaweed militia and trying its leaders before special courts under international supervision.
Investigation of crimes, genocide and ethnic cleanings determining the responsibles and presenting them to trial..
4) Rebuilding of destroyed villages and returning the original inhabitants, assuming securing and providing care to them, compensating all those whose properties were damaged, as well as rebuilding the infrastructure.
5) Ban military flights over Darfur and supply of arms to it, strict control of all road transports to consolidate the cease fire.
6) Organizing a broad regional and international mobilization campaign addressed to concerned organizations with the aim of obtaining aid to those affected and to assure the proper delivery of aid. »
The meeting also adopted a statement of principles governing the process of negotiation concerning Darfur which states :
1) The problem of Darfur is a political one. It is a part of the overall political crisis. It will never be properly tackled except in the framework of the comprehensive political solution that the Alliance is to achieve.
2) The Darfur crisis is the result of the political and economic marginalization of broad sectors of the Sudanese society, and cannot be remedied except by resorting to a dialogue leading to peaceful, just political solution based upon commitment to eradicate the roots of the conflict and abandoning the violence.
3) Emphasizing the principle of democratic transformation, guaranteeing general freedoms, respecting human rights and the supremacy of the rule of law which will be guaranteed by the the permanent and transitory constitutions based on the right of citizens, separation of authorities and equality in rights and duties as well as non-discrimination among citizens because of race, religion, sex or culture.
4) Just participation in all levels of government and authority, commitment to the principle of decentralization – federal government – based on the diffusion of authority between centre and regions in a matter which will allow the regions to rule themselves by themselves.
5) Adhering to just distribution of wealth between the centre and the regions to achieve comprehensive balanced and sustained development.
6) Establishing ownership of land in Darfur based on historic rights of the various tribes while at the same time taking into consideration the common good.
7) Investigating violation and adhering to the principle of compensation and amending harm done.
8) Spreading the principle of reconciliation and coexistence among tribes in Darfur and refraining from exploitation of tribal strifes for political ends with the objective of preserving the component of social fabric.
9) Respecting human rights as stated in international covenants and inclusion of these rights in the transitional and permanent constitutions, and emphasizing the principle of independence of the judiciary, separation of authorities, and non-exploitation of religion in politics.
10) On the basis of agreement to the afore mentioned principles an end should be put to acts of belligerency, cease fire should be achieved and an agreement attained on transitional arrangements for ending fighting and entering into direct dialogue aiming to attain a just settlement to end the on-going war in Darfur.
