Re-election Bid Poses Threat to Darfuris, Reflects International Silence

January 15

"Re-election Bid Poses Threat to Darfuris, Reflects International Silence

January 15, 2010- Multiple sources have reported the stunning news regarding Dictator Omar Al-Bashir’s nomination to run for another presidential term in the upcoming election. The National Congress Party has endorsed his re-election. Bashir, who has been indicted by the ICC since March 4th of last year for his crimes against humanity in Darfur, where over 450,000 individuals have been killed since 2002, is reported as being “extremely confident” in securing victory in the election.

Damanga is extremely disturbed and disappointed in the international community’s failure to act on behalf of the Darfuri people since the early 1990s when violence began to surface in the region. Between 1993-2001, Damanga representatives worked diligently to aware the international community of the death of over 100,000 Darfuris under Bashir’s presidency (please visit: www.damanga.org for this first hand report titled:" The Hidden Slaughter, and Ethnic Cleansing In Western Sudan". This was the first letter received by the United Nations and international community about the situation in Darfur). Upon receiving information about Darfur, the UN and former Secretary-general Kofi Annan failed to acknowledge the situation that has culminated in the present-day genocide.


President Bashir’s candidacy, his confidence in winning re-election, and the unfair election practices in place for the upcoming vote reflect a continued state of silence and inaction today. Access to voting polls varies by region and not all candidates are allowed representation at the polls (In the past, opposition has led to public beatings, arrests, and time in jail). Like the Doha peace negotiations where only the NCP was truly represented, Bashir’s control of the upcoming elections forbids Darfur and South Sudan from legitimate representation, further preventing the establishment of real peace and justice.

It should also be noted that three ICC-indicted Sudanese government officials still hold office and the UN Security Council has done little to curb the violence in the Darfuri region. Powerful nations like the U.S. and China instead appear to be “collaborating” with the Sudanese regime by normalizing relations and lifting economic sanctions.


The Sudanese regime is currently bombing all regions within Darfur as Darfuris have publicly voiced opposition to Basher’s candidacy and a plan to boycott the upcoming April elections. Darfuris’ following requests have not yet been met because of their lack of political representation, the failure of the Doha peace negotiations, and the failure of the international community to act on their behalf:

•    Postponement of the April elections until the Darfur Genocide is completely resolved.

•    Disengagement of U.S. financial and diplomatic support of Bashir’s candidacy.

•    Deployment of the 26,000 UN troops promised 3 years ago by the Security Council in July 2007 according to the UN SC Resolution number 1769.

•    Immediate enforcement of the cease-fire agreement.

•    Arrestment of Omar Al-bashir and the other war criminals before the arrangement of peace negotiations.

•    Enforcement of all Arab Janjaweed Leaders to return land in Darfur to the Darfur people and subsequent evacuation from the region.

•    Protection and return of Darfuri refugees back to their land and reconstruction of their destroyed homes.

•    Compensation for Darfuris’ lost belongings and property.
•    We need to see a clear US Policy towards Darfur.


Damanga implores the international community to prevent the upcoming elections until Justice and Peace is restored in Darfur. If this request is not met, such elections will simply be a formality and the genocide, violence, and dictatorship will continue.