From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Oct 18 2008 - 06:40:06 EDT
The People of Sudan Lead the Way in Resolving Darfur
WASHINGTON, Oct 18, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- At the behest and under the auspices of the President of the Republic, Sudan has launched a major campaign in its relentless efforts to stem the instability in Darfur. The initiative, billed "the Sudan People's initiative" is a forum that calls for the urgent discussion for a sustainable solution to the crisis, and will address the fundamental issues underpinning and prolonging this catastrophe. It invites everyone, Sudanese and non-Sudanese alike to speak of development in concrete terms, chart out detailed mechanisms and programs for post-conflict rehabilitation and demands discussions of adequate political representation and participation of the people.
The "Sudan people's initiative" has received the full support of the numerous parties (about 33 political parties) and has been embraced by the people from all walks of life and all corners of the country as a bona fide and earnest attempt to bring a semblance of peace to the restive region. It has gained the confidence of the new AU-UN negotiator in Darfur, Djibril Bassole, who recognizes this initiative as a potential precursor and base for the imminent "Qatar initiative". He emphasized the necessity of commitment and expressed that he saw the current initiative as an essential commitment on the part of the Government to resolving the problem. Various international organizations and numerous personalities were in attendance at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum during the opening session in a show of solidarity with the people and in support of the momentous initiative, including the African Union Commissioner Jean Ping and other regional and international dignitaries.
Yet already, encouraged by some of their backers, the initiative has encountered boycott and fierce rejection of these efforts without having considered or glanced at the proposal to see what it holds. Really there isn't anything solid put forth but the simple invitation to all concerned to put in their two cents in the forum as to what the right course to pursue might be in seeking the solution. The response from Rebels, not so surprisingly, is a consequence wrought by the ICC Prosecutor's ill-considered actions which Sudan has from the beginning strongly advised against, recognizing that the move would embolden the rebels thus making them intractable to any ideas of swiftly bringing a just end to the conflict.
Some have objected to the involvement of Arab countries in the process! One wonders whether the Arab world is not part of the international community. Experience gained elsewhere shows that when there is internal conflict, people must readily resort to well meaning neighbors, friends and others to be mediators of the solution. There isn't a conflict with far reaching consequences such as this that can be resolved without global participation. However, the people of Sudan must initiate and should lead the search for that solution as is precisely the case now. It is no longer excusable that an initiative be scoffed at or dismissed simply because its source is Khartoum.
But any negotiations of peace must of necessity include these very Rebels as part and parcel of the peace process in Darfur. The initiative needs, for its effective implementation, all the stakeholders to break with the norm of chronic intransigence that has been the primary hindrance to peace. A pledge from all concerned and peace-loving citizens of the world to support in good faith the parties involved in this process must also be sought. For it is paramount that accountability is instituted and pressure is applied on all sides to come to the table to express their positions if the process is to move forward in finding a comprehensive solution. Sudan reiterates its call to the international community for assistance in its pursuit of ways to bring about a conclusion to this catastrophe.
Information office
SOURCE Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire.
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