Comments on: Key issues from my visit to Darfur http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200 Investigating the past 6 years of Darfur policy and citizen advocacy Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:41:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mokh Zay Gazma » Elections in Darfur? http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200&cpage=1#comment-1342 Mokh Zay Gazma » Elections in Darfur? Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:55:24 +0000 http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200#comment-1342 [...] Bec Hamilton, who is currently investigating the past 6 years of Darfur policy and citizen advocacy, just returned from Sudan and Darfur.  She writes on four key issues facing Darfuris today. [...] [...] Bec Hamilton, who is currently investigating the past 6 years of Darfur policy and citizen advocacy, just returned from Sudan and Darfur.  She writes on four key issues facing Darfuris today. [...]

]]> By: More on the “war is over” comments http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200&cpage=1#comment-1296 More on the “war is over” comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:16:04 +0000 http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200#comment-1296 [...] my mate Rob Crilly has written a post I need to respond to regarding my remarks on General Agwai’s comments. Maybe I’m missing something, but I’m not sure we are [...] [...] my mate Rob Crilly has written a post I need to respond to regarding my remarks on General Agwai’s comments. Maybe I’m missing something, but I’m not sure we are [...]

]]> By: Bec Hamilton http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200&cpage=1#comment-1272 Bec Hamilton Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:37:57 +0000 http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200#comment-1272 Hi Sean Yes - elections and the 2011 referendum are the big picture issues facing the whole of Sudan now. I'm developing a magazine feature on it, so will have my thoughts better organized as I work through that. But from the perspective of Darfuris who are living in Darfur, it is hard to get more than a dismissive wave of the hand from them on the elections. There are huge problems with the census results (and not just in Darfur). Not only are the camps not covered but the numbers don't add up in areas outside the camps to a large extent either - especially in South Darfur. So with these problems, combined with the fact that for IDPs in Darfur there are much more immediate issues related to day to day survival, trying to even raise the elections with them is difficult. There is not one IDP I spoke with who thought the elections were anything other than a giant waste of time. This response however changes if you speak with Darfuris in Khartoum (they also are completely skeptical, but they have some attention to give to it) As to your specific question - What the UNSG wrote remains almost entirely aspirational Hi Sean
Yes – elections and the 2011 referendum are the big picture issues facing the whole of Sudan now. I’m developing a magazine feature on it, so will have my thoughts better organized as I work through that. But from the perspective of Darfuris who are living in Darfur, it is hard to get more than a dismissive wave of the hand from them on the elections. There are huge problems with the census results (and not just in Darfur). Not only are the camps not covered but the numbers don’t add up in areas outside the camps to a large extent either – especially in South Darfur. So with these problems, combined with the fact that for IDPs in Darfur there are much more immediate issues related to day to day survival, trying to even raise the elections with them is difficult. There is not one IDP I spoke with who thought the elections were anything other than a giant waste of time. This response however changes if you speak with Darfuris in Khartoum (they also are completely skeptical, but they have some attention to give to it)
As to your specific question – What the UNSG wrote remains almost entirely aspirational

]]> By: Sean Brooks http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200&cpage=1#comment-1271 Sean Brooks Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:16:16 +0000 http://bechamilton.com/?p=1200#comment-1271 Thanks for your insightful posts about your trip. One issue that you did not address is the elections schedule for April 2010. What were the thoughts of Darfuris that you spoke to on the elections? Did what you hear generally match the concerns expressed in the UN Secretary General's report from July, in which he wrote: 38. Darfur, opposition parties and civil society actors have called on the Government to ensure the freedom of movement, assembly, association and speech required to ensure a free and fair process. Leaders of the internally displaced have expressed the view that peace, security, compensation, and the return of internally displaced persons should come before the holding of elections. They have also expressed the fear that voter registration of internally displaced persons in camps would be tantamount to relinquishing their lands. And do you think any of the Sudanese and international actors that you spoke to are moving forward on his recommendations (below)? 67. The Government of National Unity and the Darfur movements must address the concerns of the internally displaced persons in Darfur. Concrete steps need to be taken towards a comprehensive peace agreement. These include a cessation of hostilities, and progress towards compensation, land rights and redressing marginalization issues. This would help to create an appropriate environment for the forthcoming elections. Should large segments of the population in Darfur be prevented from participating in elections by the refusal to agree to a cessation of hostilities, technical constraints related to registration, or voluntary or involuntary boycotts of the process, progress towards political stability would be impeded. Accordingly, I urge the Government of National Unity and the Darfur movements to openly discuss these issues and make concrete progress towards a comprehensive peace. The Darfur movements have an obligation to use the opportunity of national elections to pursue their political demands through the ballot box and lay down their arms. Thanks for your insightful posts about your trip.

One issue that you did not address is the elections schedule for April 2010. What were the thoughts of Darfuris that you spoke to on the elections? Did what you hear generally match the concerns expressed in the UN Secretary General’s report from July, in which he wrote:

38. Darfur, opposition parties and civil society actors have called on the
Government to ensure the freedom of movement, assembly, association and speech
required to ensure a free and fair process. Leaders of the internally displaced have
expressed the view that peace, security, compensation, and the return of internally
displaced persons should come before the holding of elections. They have also
expressed the fear that voter registration of internally displaced persons in camps
would be tantamount to relinquishing their lands.

And do you think any of the Sudanese and international actors that you spoke to are moving forward on his recommendations (below)?

67. The Government of National Unity and the Darfur movements must address
the concerns of the internally displaced persons in Darfur. Concrete steps need to be taken towards a comprehensive peace agreement. These include a cessation of
hostilities, and progress towards compensation, land rights and redressing
marginalization issues. This would help to create an appropriate environment for the forthcoming elections. Should large segments of the population in Darfur be
prevented from participating in elections by the refusal to agree to a cessation of
hostilities, technical constraints related to registration, or voluntary or involuntary
boycotts of the process, progress towards political stability would be impeded.
Accordingly, I urge the Government of National Unity and the Darfur movements to openly discuss these issues and make concrete progress towards a comprehensive peace. The Darfur movements have an obligation to use the opportunity of national elections to pursue their political demands through the ballot box and lay down their arms.

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