On a bolgg Anne Bartlett, the Director of the Darfur Centre for Human Rights and Development, wrote an article on 18 Feb. 2007 titled Darfur, the Genocide Glitterati
Your article was en eyebrow-raiser. I just keep say hmm, hmm while reading the lines. Let us start with the positive side of it. We both agree that there is a need for an internal organic solution and not an “outsider” solution to this conflict. That is why I regarded the move from ICC and CG as outsiders move that assumed to lead more complications of the problem. At least this is not the right time for it. An integral part to conflict resolution is reconciliation and confidence building. This is what we need at this stage using indigenous mechanisms to conflict resolutions and the traditions existing in Darfur in this matter. Definitely the one who took the decision at the ICC is not aware of the nature of conflict there or the traditions of conflict settlement.
The second positive point in your article is that some how people in the west starts to know that this conflict can not be simplified as an Arabs/Africans or Abala/Bagara against farmers or a like. As you noticed the conflict is bigger than the area of Darfur itself. It took quiet along time for us to explaining for the people in the West the nature of this conflict. Understanding the nature and the underling cause of the conflict will possibly provide ways and alternatives for a sustainable solution. We agree that the conflict in Darfur is political and not racial. The western models of conflict resolutions will therefore will hardly work here with quick fix, scheduled meetings, deadlines and agreements. Therefore the people of Darfur are not in need to master the western art of conflict resolution because its alien to their nature in dealing with conflicts. There are not either in need of scholarships. They already have Ph .D. holders and Professors in this field at least I can count a dusin for you who are part of the conflict in Darfur, from the government side or those who call themselves rebels. Historically the Fur were among the first people in Sudan to know what scholarships mean and what value education has.
We are in need of Advocacy work. But what kind of Advocacy is needed? I’m totally against any advocacy that lacks facts and only add more fuel to fire. We had enough of that during the bloody conflict in the South. The world has changed with quick access to facts and no space for reconstructed films on fabricated human rights abuses like so called slavery. We can design advocacy campaigns where we demand both sides to respect that right of any Sudanese anywhere built on facts. We are in need of Peace Advocacy because we have suffered allot from War Advocacy.
Darfur became a laboratory for theories in genocide that up to now never yield a return to the people in Darfur in terms of peace and stability. I can understand your worries that none of the participants on those panels has his or her origins in Darfur. There is thousands and thousand of people who are now making a living on the suffrage of People of Darfur.
The Sudanese government, long time ago, understood that their economy is under attack. What was the result of that? Sudan has simply turned its face to China and other countries in the far east of Asia for investments in almost every sector. Today the European union desperately like to find ways and possibilities for reaching the African Markets, including Sudan, after Chinas Africans markets hijack. Yes we know that we have human parasitism in our economy but you can’t preach for punishment of all the Sudanese with sanctions and other measures the crimple the growth of development of Sudan, today Africa’s fastest growing economy. In politically change in Sudan is the responsibility of all the Sudanese at first place.
What kind of democratic process building you speak about? Both the government and the rebels know nothing about democracy and democratic process. Democracy never came up at any talks or agreements including the so-called CPA. I can only see one post of expenditure in which money collected abroad will be used and that is more arms to fuel the crisis. The money will go for buying Landcruzers mounted with doshkas, K5 and klashnikovs. The result to today is that a spill over of the conflict in Chad and Central Africa. The struggle in Sudan has always been led by farmers, workers, students, teachers and farmers. And they know who they can finance their cause from their on financial resources. So please keep hands off! In other words that is an explanation what you refer to citing a voice from Darfur “the people of Darfur have to help themselves out of this crisis, because no-one else will”
I expected more logic from a director of the centre for Darfur,,
Abu McNimmir
