We should ask the people of Darfur whether its over or not?
Darfuris are still not safe – whether in the major cities, the internally displace camps or even in the capital, Khartoum. The government of Sudan is changing its tactics as recently seen in the abductions of IDP camps leaders and the arbitrary arrests of many human rights activists. This new tactic by the Sudanese government attempts to terrorize and silence the voices that speak the truth and defend the vulnerable. Our people are currently oppressed as they suffer in silence while the world watches.
On August 27th a young Darfuri human rights and peace activist, Abdelmageed Salih, was abducted with a colleague. For several days no one was aware of their whereabouts until his colleague was released.
Abdelmageed is well-known among Darfuri civil society leaders. He worked on providing emergency humanitarian relief in West Darfur state, following the expulsion of 13 international NGOs in March 2009, n. Despite the frustration, he didn’t gave up helping his own people. He went to Khartoum where he used his experience to help his peers, Darfuri youth, to be messengers for peace. For that purpose, he co-founded the Darfur Democratic Forum and Darfur Youth Organization to advocate for peace and build the capacity for Darfuri students in Khartoum in their struggle to continue their education, with hopes that one day peace will come and they could be active participants in the rebuilding and reconstructing of their communities.
Today is the 20th day since Abdelmageed’s abduction and no one knows about his whereabouts. The dream of peace is dying in its bed. His family is extremely worried about him; their fear is that he may be subjected to torture or even killed. We are all worried about his safety. Many of our people have disappeared until today and no one knows where they are and what has happened to them.
The world should not stay silent while the indicted president is still active and capable of imposing all kinds of suffering and hardship on his victims – the Darfuri people. We should speak loudly and call for the urgent attention of the international community. The suffering of Darfuris continues and our country remains a dangerous place for many of us.
I appeal to all human rights organizations and to those who believe in humanity and justice to use their voice in support of Abdelmageed’s release, and to call for protection of all Darfuris who are held hostage to the genocidal criminal in Khartoum who continues to rule their fates.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
Tags: Darfur, Government of Sudan, Human Rights, IDP
