Press Release/Commentary by SDEMB posted on September 20, 2005 at 15:07:59: EST (-5 GMT)

PRESS RELEASE: Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan. Washington, D.C.

GOVERNMENT OF SUDAN CALLS ON ALL IN THE UNITED STATES
TO SUPPORT PEACE TALKS ON DARFUR

Washington, DC, September 13, 2005: Chief of Sudan’s Embassy to the United States, Khidir H. Ahmed, said “the Government of Sudan, the US, the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), and others in the region have been engaged in intense efforts to facilitate the reconvening of peace talks on Darfur – talks that would include the various rebel groups from Darfur. These talks are due to reconvene September 15, 2005, in Abuja, Nigeria. My Government has made it clear that it supports the talks without any preconditions.”

He added that “unfortunately, at the same time that my Government and others are attempting to reconvene these critical negotiations, a number of US religious and civic organizations that have been hostile to Sudan for many years, well before the start of the conflict in Darfur, have launched a new campaign against the Government of Sudan as it relates to the Darfur conflict.”

This tactic is regrettable. It focuses on the past, not the recent stabilization and improvement of the situation in Darfur, which has been confirmed by the UN and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that operate in that region. The campaign fails to note that the rebels refuse to attend the negotiations. Further and importantly, this campaign will prolong the suffering of the displaced and refugees of Darfur because only representatives of the rebels in the United States will reap the harvest of this tactic in moral support and donations, which will translate into ammunition and arms for the rebels and more deaths in Darfur.

In short, this campaign undercuts the very process that could bring peace to Darfur. It encourages the rebels to remain intransigent. It undermines the primary goal of human rights activists in the US and those in Sudan who advocate peace in Darfur as the key next step to fully implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and bringing peace to all of Sudan.

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As recently as September 2, 2005 the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission of the AU issued a press release condemning the rebels of the so called Sudan Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M) for looting, kidnapping, and disrupting the flow of aid to the needy in the region. That press release read: “The Special representative condemns not only the provocative banditry of the SLA/M but also their continuing refusal to cooperate with the intermediaries of the AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS).” He notes that “from past experience, such incidences coming so close to the resumption of the Abuja talks, not only destabilize the quiescent security situation on the ground, but also impact negatively on the talks.”

It is very regrettable that US-based organizations attempt to abuse or twist long-standing principles of religion to, in essence, encourage killing and destruction or discourage peace talks. Only a few months ago the former Presidential Envoy on Sudan, Senator John C. Danforth, told the BBC’s Panorama that the “genocide” label was adopted by the US due to pressure from the religious Right. This suggests that the term does not in any way reflect the reality in Darfur. This comment is very telling given its source, a former Presidential Envoy and Senator whose veracity and stature are beyond question.

Further, the portrayal of the conflict as one that pits “Arabs against Africans” is misleading and dangerous. It attempts to portray events in Darfur as a regional problem. It does a disservice to Arabs, Africans, and the region.

The primary goal of all who seek peace and development in Sudan should be to build upon the improvement of the situation in Darfur. Peace in Darfur will complement the peace reached between North and South Sudan; the absence of peace in Darfur will threaten peace throughout the country at a time when the country is entering a new era of stability and unity. The continuing politicization of the situation in Darfur by the US religious community could have unintended consequences, causing a backlash in the Arab world and Africa. The worst case scenario would be to create a situation that could be exploited by those who are eager to perpetuate hatred among nations and foment to terrorism.

The Ambassador emphasized that “a resolution to the Darfur conflict is within reach now for the first time. My Government appeals to the American people and their Government to encourage and support the reconvening of negotiations in Abuja, and to promote them as a last, successful round of talks.”