[wvns] Lack of Arab Role in Darfur Criticized
Lack of Solid Arab Role in Darfur Criticized
By Isma'il Kamal, Khartoum
Thursday 14 June 2007
http://smc.sd/en/artopic.asp?artID=15467&aCK=EE
Dr. Amani al-Taweel, of the Cairo based Al-Ahram Center for Political
and Strategic Studies spoke Monday evening, June 11, 2007, on the Arab
role and the Darfur crisis. Her talk took place at the International
Center for African Studies (ICAS) in Khartoum, and received great
media attention. It was covered by Al-Jazeera Mubashir, which covers
important political talks in the Arab World, in addition to Sudan
T.V., Blue Nile Channel and several local Sudanese newspapers.
Al-Taweel, an Egyptian expert on Sudanese affairs, began her talk by
noting that since the beginning of the Darfur crisis until now, there
has been no clear Arab role.
"Is there still a chance for an Arab role or has it been lost" she asked.
Arab efforts, al-Taweel explained, have lacked "a strategic view of
the crisis."
"The Arab League (AL) did not coordinate well with the African Union
(AU)," al-Taweel said. Al-Taweel sited the fact that the Arab Summit
conference of 2006, that took place in Khartoum, promised logistic and
financial support to the AU's efforts in Darfur, "but [this support]
was not made real."
Arab efforts in Darfur, al-Taweel further explained, have been
competitive, siting the individual roles of Egypt, Eritrea, Libya and
Saudi Arabia. "The Arab role has been scattered" she said.
Al-Taweel also criticized the inability of Arabs to respond
sufficiently to the Darfur crisis's humanitarian dimension, which "may
give the wrong impression". While she recognized the inexperience and
underfunding of Arab civil society organizations, she also warned that
their absence may be manipulated by some.
"While there are conflicting reports on the actual number of displaced
persons…they should not be turned into a card in the hands of foreign
groups," she warned.
She also warned that the mis-characterization of the Darfur conlict as
genocide of Arabs against Africans by the Western media may threaten
the stability of the African Sahel and lead to more conflicts.
"Arabs states should put Africa on their agenda" she said. Al-Taweel
recommended greater Arab support for development projects in Africa.
During the questions and answers session, Dr. Umar Muhajir of Khartoum
University's Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies commented
"Sudan today is facing its utmost challenge ever."
"Absence of the Arabs led to the occupation of Iraq," he said, warning
that Sudan could face a similar fate.
Egyptian ambassador to Sudan, Muhammad al-Shadhili was also in
attendance.
"The bombs that exploded in Madrid and London led to the unity of
Europe," he said, siting the terrorist attacks that took place in both
cities in 2005. "But the bombs that exploded in Iraq, Palestine and
Sudan have led to further Arab dis-unity," he added grudgingly.
Muhammad Ya'qub, a citizen from Darfur commented, "We know there are
Western interests in Darfur, but where are the Arabs' interests?"
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