Sudan Proposes a Fake Peace Initiative for Darfur

October 20, 2008

     Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is closely following the “Darfur Peace Initiative,” a plan by the national government to implement peace in the region. A conference, attended by the NCP leaders including the Arab League, Arab Union, Government of South Sudan, and Arab parties in Sudan, has taken place in an attempt to fool the international community and the people of Darfur by launching a fake Peace plan. The participants are taking advantage of the innocent people that have been killed, raped, displaced, and humiliated for more than a decade. The supporters of this peace agreement have been watching the systematic campaign of genocide in Darfur for years and have hindered attempts to remove the Al-Bashir regime, which is comprised of the National Congress Party (NCP) and National Islamic Front (NIF). These are the same groups that have remained silent and turned deaf ears to the annihilation of Darfuris.  

It is apparent that this peace initiative is not genuine, but serves to dissuade the ICC from pressing charges against Al-Bashir. This conference was held as a response to the indictment of Al-Bashir by ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo on July 14, 2008. As a result, groups within Sudan and other Arab leaders are continuing their efforts to deter justice and the arrest of Al-Bashir. It is very unfortunate that supporters of the NIF are shamelessly trying to protect a president that has committed countless acts against humanity.  Instead of supporting the innocent and armless people of Darfur and demanding that justice prevail, these groups are avoiding accountability and assisting the government in perpetuating genocide. 

Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is very disappointed by the façade of a peace initiative and those supporting it.  It is very unfortunate that the supporters of the “peace” are working for their own benefit and are trampling upon the dignity of Darfuris.  We, as Darfuri victims, are asking the international community to help bring justice to Darfur.  Those who are serious and honest about helping Darfuris must hold the orchestrators’ of this genocide accountable for their actions.  Only when accountability has taken place and justice has been served can peace ever be achieved in Darfur. We strongly urge all parties involved in this conference to uphold the rights of the Darfuri people, to support the ICC in its work to indict Al-Bashir and other suspects of this genocide, and to ensure that they face trial without any more delays.