The Sudanese rebels' national agenda is causing local harm

06:05 AM Nov, 21 2015

Sudanese Online
Hafiz Ismail Mohamed-Director of Justice Africa Sudan.
My Library
Short URL

SPLM-North's insistence on negotiating with the government about national issues only – rather than giving priority to South Kordofan and Blue Nile – is hurting the people of the Two Areas.

After yet more missed deadlines, Sudan is gearing up for talks again. The coming rounds consist of two tracks.

The first is between the government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) rebel alliance. The agenda will be limited to the terms of a cessation of hostility agreement and arrangements for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and administrative arrangements for conflict areas.
The second is a preparatory meeting for the National Dialogue, which will include the armed movements, the National Umma Party (NUP), the Sudan Consensus Forces (SCF) opposition alliance and the governing National Congress Party (NCP), to discuss the arrangements needed to create a conducive environment to pave the way for a genuine national dialogue to start inside Sudan.
However, recent developments will cast long shadows on the negotiations, including the following:
• The dispute over the chairmanship of the SRF, its impact on the Sudan Call Alliance with the unarmed opposition and the joint negotiation positions of the armed movements, as well as the disagreement over how Sudanese civil society will be represented in the talks.
• SPLM-N's internal arguments, including the challenges to its leadership, and the absence of voices of its core constituency on the ongoing political discourse.
• The NCP's problems, including the poor election turnout in April 2015, and the failure of the National Dialogue to generate the popular support needed to gain some legitimacy.
• The deepening economic crisis facing the country. The government is running out of options to address it without the support of the international community in terms of aid, removal of US sanctions and debt relief. The government is planning to remove subsidies from grain and fuel increasing their prices by over 50% and that will put extra inflationary pressure on the economy - and might lead to civic unrest similar to September 2013.
• The inability of the warring factions to make a decisive military victory, and so impose a military solution.
As far as the first track goes, and despite the SRF's claims of a united position, SPLM-N and NCP negotiations would be less complicated than the negotiations involving the Darfuri armed movements as here there are many external elements involved. But SPLM-North needs to change its approach, because the people of the Two Areas are suffering.
SPLM-N's wasted opportunities
Shortly after the war in South Kordofan between SPLA-N and GoS broke out in early June 2011, the two parties began talking. In 28 June 2011 they signed a Framework Agreement, but this was later rejected by President Bashir. Since then they have held 9 rounds of negotiations, without reaching a final agreement.
The major difference between the two parties is that the SPLM-N delegation wants to discuss national issues but the NCP insists on restricting the negotiations to the Two Areas based on the Two Areas protocol in the CPA signed in 2005. During the 9 rounds of negotiations the NCP was very skillful as they managed to water down the Tripartite agreement on delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the UN Security Council resolution 2046. The NCP also refused to attend the pre-National Dialogue meeting, according to AUPSC communiqué of its 456 meeting.
However, SPLM-N failed to exert the needed pressure on them. The NCP strategy is not to give any ground and to keep the status quo as that is their best option: they are in power, and have control of the country and its resources.
The insistence of SPLM-N not to discuss issues related to the Two Areas and only focus on national issues stopped the negotiations from making any progress nationally or for the Two Areas.
AUHIP was correct in putting the negotiations on hold after they presented detailed accounts of the previous rounds of negotiations in January 2015, highlighting the differences between the two parties and asking them to come up with proposals to narrow their differences. When the parties failed to do that the whole negotiations were suspended, even the humanitarian issues, at the time when the suffering of civilians affected by the conflicts has increased.
This is not only the civilian population within areas controlled by SPLM-N. The majority of people affected by the conflict in the Nuba mountains are in others parts of Sudan and GoS refuses to recognised them as Internally Displaced People (IDPs) so they can get some assistance. They have been left in miserable conditions.
It is unfair for the people of conflicts zones and those directly affected by the wars - which have led to huge loss of lives and the destruction of the livelihood of so many - to wait for a national settlement. The war between SPLA-N and GoS has a national impact, but the direct cause of the war was due to the dispute over the result of the regional election of the governor and the Legislative Council in South Kordofan (as the latter was supposed to carry out the Popular Consultations which would to determine the final status of the state).
Addressing the underlying causes of the conflicts in the Two Areas will serve the national process as it can be used as a model to address similar problems in other parts of Sudan such as Darfur and Eastern Sudan, and it can also be included in the upcoming constitutional process. It is clear that a solution to the Two Areas crises will positively contribute to the national settlement while at the same time addressing the distinct nature of the Two Areas.
The arguments of the chief negotiator of SPLM-N for not discussing the issues of the Two Areas have wasted a great opportunity to address the underlying causes of the conflicts in these areas, benefiting from some of good provisions within the Two Areas protocol which allow great devolution of power for the Two Areas, as that represented the demand of the majority of the people of these areas.
I totally agree that the problem lay in Khartoum (the centre). But there are two ways to weaken the centre: either by dismantling its institutions and rebuilding them; or by strengthening the regions and allowing them to have more control over their affairs, especially the resources.
According to the new arrangements by AUHIP, the coming round of talks will not discuss these issues as they will be deferred to the National Dialogue, with no guarantee that the people of the Two Areas and other marginalised parts of Sudan will get a fairer deal.
Their fight will not only be against the NCP. Many other forces in the centre want to keep central control over the regions and their resources. The real struggle in Sudan is Centre-Peripheries, and that is the main cause of marginalisation, lack of social justice and uneven development.
SPLA-N skilfully managed to repulse the military offensive of SAF and its proxy militias during the so-called Summer attacks (the Hot Summer and Decisive Summer operations) in 2012, 2013 and 2014, but they failed to capitalise on that politically.
This was mainly due to the luck of consultation among its wider constituencies and the heavy-handed approach in dealing with any views which differ from the leadership, and their failure to build institutional structures so the outcome of each round of negotiations can be discussed and assessed within the movement's institutions. Unfortunately they are reproducing all the weaknesses of Sudanese political parties which include lack of transparency, accountability and democratic practices.
I highly welcome AUHIP's announcement that talks between SPLM-N, Darfuri armed movements and the government of Sudan on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian issues will resume in Addis Ababa. Let's hope the parties reach an agreement on stopping the fighting, and open access for delivery of humanitarian assistance as that will pave the way for IDPs to go back to their villages and alleviate some of the suffering of the people affected by the conflicts.
But to achieve a fairer political settlement for people in the conflicts areas and Sudanese in marginalised areas in general we need to build a wider civic coalition to organise and mobilise these people, so they can all work together to achieve that objective. These wars have gone on too long, and this terrible situation can’t continue endlessly.
Hafiz Ismail Mohamed is a civil society activist and the Director of Justice Africa Sudan.


Topics related to the subject or the author


• Tribalism a challenge for Sudan army: military chief
• Minister of Culture affirms Sudan' standing alongside Palestinian people
• Darfur police shoot excessively : Sudan committee
• Presidential Assistant: Any Party Wants to Join Dialogue shall be Registered or Informed about Regi
• Campaign of Publications Confiscation by the Sudanese Authorities
• Nearly 200,000 South Sudanese refugees in Sudan
• NC: FATF Decision is new impetus for Sudan cooperation with world
• Statement by the Chairman of the Sudan Revolutionary Front:Malik Agar
• Credit Agricole fined $787 mln for Sudan transactions
• International Knowledge Sharing Conference on Women and Girls' Health
• Student arrested for homemade clock visits White House
• Sudan’s rebels doubt Al Bashir’s motives for amnesty
• Amnesty for Sudanese rebels in national dialogue
• Sudanese opposition welcomes AU communiqué
• A dozen Egyptian fishermen detained by Sudan
• Open letter; A life time advice to Gen. Peter Gatdet Yaka from Bentiu Community in Egypt
• Concerns about food gap, price rises in Sudan
• UN report reveals endemic impunity in Darfur
• Al Bashir offers ceasefire, amnesty for rebels in Sudan's dialogue
• AU mediation to meet with Sudan Appeal signatories on Friday
• South Sudan: Obstacles to a lasting peace
• AU calls on Sudan govt. for Unamid exit plan and new peace talks
• UNHCR and partners alarmed at the upsurge in the number of South Sudanese fleeing into Sudan
• Statement No. (22) The SPLM and the repercussions of the war in the republic of South Sudan
• Sudan’s security prevents the opposition from flying to Paris to attend EU parliament hearing
• 150, 000 South Sudanese refugees arrive to Sudan
• We solve "Abyei" crisis in accordance with the agreements with Khartoum: South Sudan
• The Transparency International’s team plans to visit Sudan
• The coming period will witness more freedoms: Sudan’s Information Minister
• Two Russians kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur have freed: Russia's foreign ministry
• South Sudan’s rebels seize control of key oilfields in the country’s north
• Contacts with the armed groups to join the peace process: the head of Darfur Authority
• Sudanese tribal chief stresses that the social reconciliation is necessary to end Darfur’s conflict
• Amnesty International appeals Sudan’s Security to free all detainees
• Sudan may be supplying arms to the rebels in South Sudan: report says
• The renewed fighting in S.Sudan’s Unity State is a serious breach of the Cessation of Hostilities A
• Military activities in South Sudan’s Unity state forced up to 100,000 people from their homes: UN
• Sudan urges the rebel (SPLM-N) to allow the tripartite mechanism to deliver aid in South Kordofan
• South Sudan's government and rebels fail to make compromises: U.S. Kerry
• Certain circles attempt to abort the Islamic slogans: Sudan’s Vice – President
• If South Sudan's leaders do not show willingness to peace talks they have to face consequences: UN
• Sudan’s president warns South Sudan to disarm the rebels or face repercussions
• EU expresses its strong dissatisfaction with the deadly war in South Sudan
• Sudan: Urgent Action on Adil Ibrahiem Bakheit from Amnesty International
• South Sudanese opposition leader says his home surrounded by security personnel
• Nearly 8 million children in Sudan to be vaccinated against measles
• Sudanese security confiscates copies of Al-Youm al-Tali newspaper
• The AUEOM Preliminary Report on the Sudan General Elections
• Press Statement of the African Union Election Observation Mission to Sudan
• Urgent safety concern for activist Sandra Kodouda kidnapped in Sudan
• Anti-election campaign scares population of South Kordofan
• SPLA-N claims briefly seizing army garrison in South Kordofan
• Sudan confirms its firm agenda of negotiations with the armed forces
• The rebel SPLM-N committed sabotage actions in South Kordofan: Sudanese army says
• Sudan rebels claim attack on Habila garrison in South Kordofan
• Rebels led by Machar announces that the killed 38 government soldiers in Jonglei and Unity states.
• Sudanese govt. responsible for tribal violence: Darfur Bar
• U.S. calls on South Sudanese parties to resume peace talks
• South Sudan Rebel Group Releases Child Soldiers
• Nine medical students were born in UK and studied medicine in Sudan
• Missing British-Sudanese medics had humanitarian motives
• Nine British medics enter Isis stronghold to work in hospitals
• WFP Executive Director visits South Sudan
• South Sudan warlord offers abducted boys sit exams - UN envoy
• Population Under Pressure in South Sudan Opposition Territory
• China supplies South Sudan with weapons to protect its oil fields
• U.S. warns lack of accountability hampers South Sudan peace bid
• Sudan detainee El Agar needs eye surgery
• Al Bashir pardons five JEM-Sudan convicts
• Al-Bashir discusses with Mufti of Croatia position of Muslim minorities
• Call for Sudan to stop recruiting minors in South Kordofan
• SPLM-N leadership: Sudan Deserves a New Peace
• Specialist shortage sees cancer rise in Sudan
• South Sudan’s government says it does not want ‘Troika’ countries to be included in the peace talks
• Sustainable fisheries project launched for Sudan’s Red Sea State
• Sudanese army says it repels SPLM-N attack on Southern Kordofan
• The Secretary-General Remarks at the opening session of the Commission on the Status of Women
• US condemns lack of "political leadership" to resolve South Sudan's war
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the South Sudan Peace Proce
• Uganda denies massing troops along Sudan border
• President of Sudan offers release of political detainees
• Russian helicopter hit by anti-aircraft fire when it crashed in South Sudan: UN
• China announces that it will continue to support South Sudan peace process
• Three die in militia attacks in South and North Darfur
• Sudan and Kuwait negotiate help Zain repatriate $280 million worth of Sudanese pounds
• Darfur displaced invite US Deputy Secretary of State to visit their camps
• Sudan suggests many investment projects for UAE businessmen
• National Liberation and Justice Party launched in Sudan’s capital
• Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia receive offers for Nile dam studies
• Offers from firms to conduct technical studies on the Ethiopian dam
• Mass deportation starts at new dam sites in eastern Sudan
• Abu Dhabi Fund grants Sudan $ 90 million loan to complete dams
• African Commission requested to intervene in Abu Eisa, Madani trial
• Emirati-Sudanese coordination to contain situation in Libya
• Church fights confiscation, closure in Sudan’s capital
• Darfur rebels kill soldiers in central Jebel Marra
• Darfur authority stresses that improvement of U.S-Sudanese relations will bring peace
• Central Darfur's displaced without shelter after fire
• Sudan’s president addresses the Speakers of Parliaments of IGAD
• The fighting in Darfur displaced more than 41,000 since late December: UN
• Two Russia abducted in Darfur’s Sudan are alive: Moscow
• Tribal reconciliation talks begin in Sudan
• Sudan’s president calls on Russian and American investors to invest in the country
• Dozens injured as Sudanese students clash
• Brig. Gen. John Mabieh vowed to take Malakal town by 9th March this year
• Sudan security agents confiscate print runs of 14 newspapers
• South Sudan Warns Media Not to Publish Rebel Interviews
• Sudan seizes print runs of 13 newspapers: watchdog
• Political delegation in Tabit scares residents
• IGAD's Inter-Parliamentary Union convenes its meeting in Khartoum
• Beja Congress to Sudan’s ruling party: ‘Our patience has run out’
• Three staff of the Sudanese Red Crescent killed in an attack in Blue Nile state
• Militia officers stripped of their ranks in Central Darfur
• 3 million dollar support from Finland for the needy in Sudan
• Activists oppose Sudanese govt. officials visit to USA
• US, UK and Norway calls South Sudanese factions to reach a final peace agreement
• Sudan’s government discloses that Mbeki has not submitted written proposals to resume negotiations
• Sudanese rebels releases the 6th Bulgarian working for (WFP)
• NCF to launch campaign against Sudan’s April elections
• Zuma finalizes an agreement for co-operation in a number of fields with Sudan
• 10th anniversary of The Massacre marked in Port Sudan
• Bulgaria discloses that Sudan’s rebel SPLM-N taken captive six of nationals
• Doctors call for improvement of health situation in Sudan's prisons
• Khartoum’s threat to enter our territory is a declaration of war: South Sudan says
• UN says that South Sudanese rebels killed, raped civilians during an attack in October
• JEM denies South Sudan’s support of Sudanese rebels
• Sudanese Foreign Ministry urges South Sudan to stop supporting rebels
• Security Council Press Statement on Sudan, South Sudan
• Subsahara Centre, Ottawa, Canada:The Conflict in Upper Nile State Describes events through 12 Oc 14
• Germany to facilitate peace efforts with Sudan rebels, parties
• China Deploys Troops in South Sudan to Defend Oil Fields, Workers
• UN Helicopter Shot Down in South Sudan
• Sudan's National Dialogue clinically dead: National Umma Party
• John Raymond Jones : QandA on arms embargo on South Sudan
• UN: South Sudan arms embargo crucial after massive Chinese weapons transfer
• New Amnesty International report - Nowhere Safe: Civilians Under Attack in South Sudan
• Government describes Ugandan accusations against Sudan as attempt to throw dust in the eyes
• Rebel SRF road map towards National Dialogue Sudan
• Sudan accuses Darfur rebels of involvement in South Sudan conflict
• Sudanese in South Sudan commemorate victims of Bentiu massacre
• South Sudan rebels order oil shutdown, battle over town
• South Sudan rebels, government claim oil town as talks delayed
• South Sudan: War Crimes by Both Sides
• Rebel General Declared His New Faction
• The Nuer Community call for Removal of UN head Mission in South Sudan
• South Sudanese rebels arrive in Addis Ababa for ceasefire talks

Arabic Forum