Things get worse and worse and worse

This appeal came in from Khadiga. If any of you have any feedback let us know either by commenting on this item or by e-mailing us:

The situation in the Sudan is becoming increasingly volatile. The main issue that is a real source of concern to the Sudanese, irrespective of their political affiliation, is whether the country will remain united. Its survival is in doubt. The implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is very slow due to the hesitation of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in doing so. In addition, the junior partner, Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), has failed to exert genuine pressure on NCP to do more to have the CPA implemented. NCP has since the signature of the CPA made it a point to violate its provisions. It is consistently violating any attempt to establish democratic rule by refusing to amend the laws restricting public freedoms in violation of the CPA and the National Interim Constitution (NIC) of 2005. NCP has in many cases repudiated the CPA and refused to abide by it. It is deliberately making unity an unattractive for the Southern Sudanese so that they vote for separation. NCP instigated some tribal elements in the South in order to weaken SPLM and preoccupy it with the problems in the South at the expense of the progress SPLM is achieving in the North.

The situation in Darfur is worsening and the claim of the regime that the security situation has improved of late is shear fabrication. Mass killings, rape, eviction of the local population from their villages and implanting of foreigners, of Arab origin, from West Africa, making the Janjaweed stronger militarily and politically and the expulsion of the foreign humanitarian organizations are all facts that defeat the official allegations that things are improving in Darfur. It has failed miserably to establish peace, order and security in Darfur.

There are many regional movements in the Northern State which are opposing the policy of the regime in constructing dams. There is the National Committee for Conflict Resolution, the Popular Committee Against Kajbar Dam, the Nubian Committee for Development , the National Committee Against Dal Dam, the Executive Committees of the Manaseer and Hammadab affected by Merowi Dam and other groups are airing their opposition to the regime and show their readiness to fight for their cause.

The economic situation is, to say the least, unmanageable. The country faces a serious economic problem reaching the stage of famine. The regime destroyed the basic development institutions and schemes. Under the pretext of privatization, it sold the public corporations such as Sudan Airways, the Railways, different agricultural schemes, etc.. The total expenditure on education in 2007 budget was 2.4%. and on health 2.3% while on the armed forces and security about 70%.

It is with great concern that some of us felt the urgent need for the Sudanese to get together and discuss the roots of the problems engulfing us and agree on the minimum solutions that can be acceptable to all. It is indeed essential that they come up with the solutions they deem fit to attempt solve these problems. The best way to reach that end, we thought, is gathering as many intellectuals and public workers as possible, representing all schools of thought and different political and ideological groupings to sit together and agree on the minimum platform and a national agenda that can be a basis for a long term, one time solution to these issues.

Some of us deliberated on the venue for such meeting. Continental Europe was suggested but it was thought that the participants may find it difficult to get entry visas. Some suggested Kampala and Asmara but they were voted out as there were other considerations taken into account. Cairo was equally ruled out due to the heavy-handedness of the Egyptians when dealing with the Sudanese issues. It was agreed that the best venue can be UK for obvious reasons amongst them the mere fact that the British show great interest in the developments that take place in the Sudan. The total number of participants will be in the neighbourhood of 130 persons representing almost all political parties and civil society organisations as well as the trades union and active professional leagues notably that of the Doctors’ Union, Advocates’ Union, Engineers’ Association, Sudanese Women Groups, Workers’ Unions, Farmers’ Associations, Students’ Union, Academics’ Associations, Pensioners’ Unions, National Association for Purged Civil and Military Servants, etc..

I am writing to you seeking the kind assistance of your Group in financing this important activity knowing the close relationship you maintain with many organizations in the Sudan and the keen interest you show in the developments, mainly negative, there. We are well aware that the demand for your organizations’ assistance is high and that your resources are limited. In spite of we are approaching you to extend to us your helping hand in having this platform achieve its objective. From our part let me state here that about 75 participants will be in a position to finance their trip and will not be in need of assistance from your side except in helping them, if need arises, obtain their entry visas to UK through your missions.