Darfur: Week of September 12, 2008

Egypt on talks with UN, others for deal to resolve Darfur crisis
A package deal that covers all political, humanitarian, security and legal aspects of the Darfur crisis has been submitted as a proposal by the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheut to the UN and the AU.
World Bank stops financing Chad oil pipeline
In response to Chad’s failure to meet its commitments to allocate funds to health, education and rural-development projects, the World Bank has stopped financing the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. Chad’s commitment was to continue to channel oil revenue to the poor. Relations with the bank have worsened ever since Chad has tapped more of its oil profits for military spending to counter rebels and increased costs related to Darfur refugees fleeing Darfur.
Arab League sets up Darfur Committee
At an Arab League meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo on Monday, a decision was made to form a committee tasked with defusing the conflict in Darfur. Representatives from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Syria, Libya and Egypt will be on the committee. The committee will sponsor peace talks between the rebel groups and the Sudanese government, in cooperation with the AU and the UN.
Darfur rebels name Janjaweed figure leading recent attacks
SLM leader Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur told the Sudan Tribune that Mohamed Kheir Samijodo from the Mahr tribe is a janjaweed fighter who has executed attacks in coordination with the Sudaense army in North Darfur this past weekend. The result of the attacks was that 40,000 were displaced, according to Al-Nur. Al-Nur also criticized UNAMID for not living up to their responsibility to protect civilians.
Sudan attacks Darfur rebel positions for 2nd day forcing civilians to flee
Two rebel faction leaders of the SLA alleged that Sudanese army soldiers attacked rebel positions around the settlement of Dobo and Aradim, about 45 miles from El Fasher. Attacks also occurred on Saturday close to the town of Kutum. Both leaders, al-Helwu and Harir, reported casualties and civilians fleeing. Harir stated that the government is trying to clear the people from the area and push them north in order to control the main roads. A spokesperson from the armed forces described the military action in Darfur as stable.
My Perspective
The fight against impunity continues. Acts against the African tribes in Darfur (Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa) continue. In a rare concession, Darfur rebels have named a Janjaweed figure who led recent attacks. Little is available about Mohamed Kheir Samijodo other than he is from Mahr tribe. Armed pro-government janjaweed fighters have been photographed, however not perpetrating the acts of traumatizing individual members of these tribes. After the government attacked the IDP camp, UNAMID has moved in to restore some security to civilians at the Kalma IDP camp. The janjaweed have continued their attacks against the three tribes, while rebel leaders have often been too silent about attacks as they have chosen power struggles. They stay firmly deadlocked on furthering peaceful negotiations, instead of finding a means to address the core conflicts in the interest of all parties. These very factions have created their own set of pre-conditions to attendance at talks and do not disarm. Neither does the Sudanese government.
In order to stop the violence and impunity, the competing interests of the rebel groups need to be voiced in real dialogue to move toward unity rather than division.
It’s a stand-off that will hopefully bring forward more impressive rebel leaders like Suleiman Jamous, who was the humanitarian coordinator of the SLA. The SLA has not historically showed much concern for the effect of the war, rather they have placed more importance on their position not on abuses. However, if more rebel leaders choose to call out the Janjaweed who continue their attacks, there is more chance that they might show an understanding of humanitarian principles rather than the principles of division and discrimination, whereby they are consumed with the war.
The importance of Suleiman Jamous is significant. He worked tirelessly with the SLA for three years to mend the divisions within the SLA and was candid about the rebel abuses he witnessed. He also tried to bring humanitarian relief to displaced people and has been described as the Nelson Mandela of Sudan. He was suppressed by the government for his efforts.
In September 2005, he attended the Darfur peace talks in Abuja and voted for a negotiated settlement. In response to his decision, the rebel leader Minni Minawi had him arrested in Bir Maza. Minawi was opposed to a negotiated settlement. Severe punishments were imposed on any villagers who showed concern for Jamous’ whereabouts. This included three people who were driven around Bir Maza naked in an open truck and others who were stripped naked and beaten in broad daylight. Showing concern for a fellow villager led to cruel abuses. After being held for one month, the UN intervened and secured his release from Minawi. He was taken to a UN hospital in Kadugli and was confined there for 14 months. There he was not allowed any contact with the outside world and had an armed guard continuously at his door.
International efforts to promote the release of Jamous, included a petition and received much media attention. Finally, in September 2007, Al-Bashir agreed to release Jamous. Jamous had to pledge that he would not enter Darfur until the peace talks began. Speaking from Paris in May of this year, he suggested that peace talks begin from zero and that Abuja talks were rejected completely. He stressed that the talks need to be sponsored by the international community to guarantee implementation. It would be very interesting to hear what he has to say about Egypt’s package deal to the UN and the AU to facilitate the peace process in Darfur.