Darfur IDP’s skeptical over Mbeki panel

June 28, 2009 (PARIS) – The spokesperson of Darfur displaced people, expressed skepticism over the ability of the African Union (AU) panel headed by the former South African President Thabo Mbeki to contribute positively in the resolution of the six year crisis.
Hussein Abu Sharati speaking from Kalma camp in south Darfur said the issues discussed by Mbeki’s panel did not respond to their expectations for security and trial of people responsible of war crimes committed since 2003.
“The panel, during its meeting with the IDP’s, spoke about issues like compensations, voluntary return, and peace,” said Abu Sharati. “But the priorities for us are elsewhere,” he added.
“The security is our top priority and this should be achieved through the disarmament of the Janjaweed militias not by the government but by international forces to implement it properly and effectively.”
“Also there should be justice in Darfur and we want to see those who killed our people, rapped women and took the control of our land tried for all these crimes,” he further added.
The eight-member panel was established by the AU last February in response to the imminent issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
The AU rallied behind Bashir and criticized the warrant saying it will severely impede peace efforts throughout Sudan.
The commission has been tasked with looking into ways to balance accountability with bringing peace into Darfur and will submit a report to the summit next July.
A report is due to be submitted by the panel next week to the AU leaders during their summit in Sirte, Libya.
Abu Sharati asserted without these demands, the IDP’s would not return to their homeland. He reiterated that peace only could be reached at this price.
In an interview this month, Abu Sharati said they fear without the complete disarmament the militias would resume their attacks even if a peace deal is reached. They also think the government has plans to reshape the ethnic composition of the troubled province in order to have permanently political supporters there.
(ST)