Colleagues Home & Abroad Regional News
BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
AND JOSEPH ADERO NGALA
NAIROBI-KENYA
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2011
American President Barrack Obama this morning became under heavy criticism for not putting more attention on Sudan. The criticism came from some Americans, including along time friend of Sudan, Mr Wagner, an economist and businessman. He said enough is enough and international communities must react immediately and save the lives of innocent Nubian people from genocide.
Mr Wagner said this during the press conference organised by the Nuba community from the South Kordufan region in central at 680 Hotel, Nairobi. The purpose of the press conference was to highlight the ongoing war between the Sudan government and the SPLA in South Kordufan region that has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
Speaking during the same occasion, Mr Edward Lino, the Abyei SPLM chairman said Nuba Mountains and the entire south Sudan will only be at peace when Sudanese President Al-Bashir was forced to quit the office.
Asked whether the recent elected governor, Mr Ahmed Haroun, the incumbent governor of northern Sudan’s only oil-producing state, who is also wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in the western region of Darfur was to blame for the bombardment in Nuba Mountains, Mr Lino while saying that even though he is known for his criminal activities, he is not to blame but Al-Bashir.
Mr Haroun was declared the winner of Southern Kordofan state’s delayed elections mid last month. Southern Kordofan, which includes the Nuba Mountains, was the scene of heavy fighting during the two-decade civil war between the northern and southern regions that ended with a peace agreement in 2005. Mr Haroun was involved in the war.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for him in 2007 when he was minister and a militia leader suspected of war crimes in the Darfur region. More than 200,000 people have died in Darfur since then.
According to suspects’ profiles, Ahmed Haroun was in charge of Darfur in 2003 and 2004 as deputy interior minister. His work according to ICC included recruiting, funding and personally arming Janjaweed militia.
He was quoted as saying that he had been given the authority to either kill or forgive in Darfur for the sake of peace and security. Allegedly promoted and witnessed rape and torture as part of the war strategy.
The Nuba of Kordofan are indigenous multi-religious Africans who are mostly supporters of the SPLM and perceived by Islamic regime of Bashir as infidels whose rich and fertile lands must be evacuated and given to the Arabs.
The cities of Kadugli, Dilling, Kouda, and Taloudi so far have witnessed extensive air raids killing civilians and destroying their properties. The bombing also terrorised civilians in Kalimo in Kadugli, Taferah, Kaiga Al-Khayil, Hajar al-Nar, Abugeibaiha, Miri, Dilling, Lagawa and Kouda.
According to the statement entitled: Nuba community in Kenya on the current crisis in south Kordofan state, Sudan, south Kordofan is one of the three contested areas in the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA). They have been subjected to slavery, forced into ismalization and arabization.
It is not known exactly how many people have died since the war started, but the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate with at least 600, 000 people displaced.
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
P O Box 14877
Nairobi
00800, Westlands
Kenya
Tel 254-20-4441372
Website: www.peopleforpeaceafrica.org