Athens Meeting 8-10 October 2004, About The Crisis in
Darfur
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From: SolidNet, Tuesday, November 16, 2004
http://www.midan.net , mailto:scpinc46@hotmail.com
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The National Democratic Alliance: The Crisis In The Sudan
Darfur

A meeting of leadership of the National Democratic Alliance
took place in Asmara during the period of July 14-20, 2004,
at which it discussed the situation in the Sudan with
particular reference to the situation in the Sudan with
particular reference to the situation in Darfur. It also
reviewed the Niefasha Agreement concluded between the
Sudanese government and the People's Movement for
Liberation of the Sudan.

The conclusions reached at by the meeting state the
following:

The Alliance considers in this connection the following
measures to be essential conditions without which the
Niefasha Agreement cannot achieve its desired objectives:

The Sudanese crisis with all its depth, complexity and
entire connected aspects that are peace, unity, democracy
and balanced development cannot be solved through the
creation of alliance or partnership between two parties. It
cannot also be dealt with as a secondary by-product of the
solution of the civil war in the South of the Sudan. It is
the duty of all the Sudanese political and social forces
represented by different parties and organizations. The
agreement did not put an end to the factors of separation,
and the dangers to the unity of the country. This is the
responsibility of all in the North and the South. Thefore,
the NDA considers that it is necessary to present the final
agreement that will be reached by the two parties to a
broad conference made up of representatives of all Sudanese
political forces.

The Sudanese political forces should agree on a program of
national consensus that will govern the transitional
period. At the sometime, all transitory machineries should
commit themselves to the implementation of this program.
Similarly, the various political parties should be guided
by it in their political practices. This program should be
based on commitment to the peace agreement concluded
between the SPLA and the Sudanese government. Furthermore,
it should deal with the shortcomings and negative aspects
of the agreement including the question of balanced
political participation in the proposed legislative,
executive and other institutions of the transitional
period. On the basis of this program and in accordance with
its contents, the NDA will determine its participation in
the transitional state machinery.

The NDA deems it necessary to link the Niefasha Peace
Agreement to the immediate tackling of the deepening crisis
in Darfur with both its humanitarian and political aspects.
The proper approach to that would be the recognition of the
fact that what is happening in Darfur is a true result of
the general crisis in which the Sudan is living. The most
important reflections of this general crisis are the
continued marginalization of the outlined regions of the
country including Darfur, as well as the recognition that
the problem of Darfur is a political problem requiring a
national political solution.

The Sudanese government should immediately commit itself to
the implementation of all the requirements of political
transformation: Guarantee of political freedoms, annulment
of emergency laws restricting freedoms, lifting the state
of emergency, lifting censorship of the press, respecting
freedom of political and trade union activities, etc.

Basing itself on the framework of the national consensus
called for by the Alliance, as well as basing itself on the
wealth distribution protocol signed by the two parties, the
Alliance deems it necessary that an agreement be achieved
concerning an appropriate and effective machinery to
rebuild the Sudanese economy and to tackle questions of
unbalanced development in the country, provided that
priority is given to tackling living conditions and daily
sufferings of the Sudanese citizens. In this connection,
the Alliance proposes that commitment be made to convening
a national economic conference prior to the transitional
period, the conclusion of which should become a part of the
transitional period program.

To tackle the questions of refugees forcedly displaced and
the immigrants and to work for their return to their
original places.

To tackle the issue of those arbitrary dismissed from their
jobs, from their civilian jobs and military commissions.

Calling to account all those responsible for human rights
violations and responsible for financial and administrative
corruption during the rule os the National Islamic Front.

Achieving national reconciliation based on uncovering the
truth.

The meeting also adopted a paper on strategy and options
before the Alliance for the post signing of the agreement
which state the following:

"Several basic and pivotal factors dictate the
determination of the Alliance's options in tackling the new
realities resulting form the agreement:

1) In spite of the fact that SPLA has signed the peace
protocols with the government, it will remain as part of
the NDA abiding with its decisions above all the Asmara
Documents of 1995 concerning issues affecting the Sudan
destiny.

2) The basic and necessary conditions for achieving
democratic transformation and consolidation of peace is
continued unity of the NDA as well as continued development
of its visions, program and work machinery in a manner that
corresponds to the developments dictated by the Agreement
and to the requirements of the new political realities. In
this regard, the Alliance will elaborate a specific work
program that will be implemented in two levels:

- The internal level: it will mobilize the mass movement to
achieve the democratic transformation, to support the peace
process and to transform the agreement into a comprehensive
one including the inclusion of Darfur and Eastern Sudan in
the formula.

- On the outside level: the Alliance will undertake to
assure all possible support to the Alliance activities
inside the Sudan and to the expected dialogue with the
government"

DARFUR

The Alliance discussed the situation in Darfur in the
presence of the National Liberation Movement of Darfur-the
Alliance's newest member- and reached the following
statement.

The Sudan National Liberation Movement (Darfur)
participated in the meeting for the first time, represented
by the President and Secretary General. It presented a
detailed review of developments in Darfur. A resolution
adopted by the meeting stated:

"The leadership affirms its condemnation of the terrible
deterioration of human conditions in Darfur and demands the
following:

Respect of the cease fire agreed upon the SNLM (Darfur) and
the government.

Immediate disbanding and disarming the Ganiaweid militia
and trying its leaders before special courts under
international supervision.

Investigation of crimes, genocide and ethnic cleanings
determining the responsible and presenting them to trial.

Rebuilding of destroyed villages and returning the original
inhabitants, assuming securing and providing care to them,
compensating all those whose properties were damaged, as
well as rebuilding the infrastructure.

Ban military flights over Darfur and supply of arms to I,
strict control of all road transport to consolidate the
cease fire.

Organizing a broad regional and international mobilization
campaign addressed to concerned organizations with the aim
of obtaining aid to those affected and to assure the proper
delivery of aid.

The meeting also adopted a statement of principle governing
the process of negotiation concerning Darfur which states:

The problem of Darfur is a political one. It is a part of
the overall political crisis. It will never be properly
tackled except in the framework of the comprehensive
political solution that the Alliance is to achieve.

The Darfur crisis is the result of the political and
economic marginalization of broad sectors of the Sudanese
society, and cannot be remedied except by resorting to a
dialogue leading to peaceful, just political solution based
upon commitment to eradicate the roots of the conflict and
abandoning the violence.

Emphasizing the principle of democratic transformation,
guaranteeing general freedoms, respecting human rights and
the supremacy of the rule of law which guaranteed by the
permanent and transitory constitutions that based on the
right of citizens, separation of authorities and equality
in rights and duties as well as non discrimination among
citizens because of race, religion, sex or culture.

Just participation in all levels of government and
authority, commitment to the principle decentralization
federal government- based on the diffusion of authority
between centre and regions in a matter which will allow the
regions to rule themselves by themselves.

Adhering to just distribution of wealth between the centre
and the regions to achieve comprehensive balanced and
sustained development.

Establishing ownership of land in Darfur based on historic
rights of the various tribes while at the same time taking
into consideration the common good.

Establishing ownership of land in Darfur based on historic
rights of the various tribes while at the same time taking
into consideration the common good.

Investigating violation and adhering to the principle of
compensation and amending harm done.

Spreading the principle of reconciliation and coexistence
among tribes in Darfur and refraining from exploitation of
tribal strife's for political ends with the objective of
preserving the component of social fabric.

Respecting human rights as stated in international
covenants and inclusion of these rights in the transitional
and permanent constitutions, and emphasizing the principle
of independence of the judiciary, separation of
authorities, and non-exploitation of religion in politics.

On the basis of agreement to the afore mentioned principles
an end should be put to acts of belligerency, cease fire
should be achieved and an agreement attained on
transitional arrangements for ending fighting and entering
into direct dialogue aiming to attain a just settlement to
end the on-going war in Darfur.