On Friday April 30th Sudanese activist, civil society and community representatives from all over the United States representing all regions of Sudan including Darfur, South Sudan, Nuba Mountain, Nubian from far North, Eastern Sudan, Butana region, the center and the capital Khartoum along with support of many American activists came out to urge the United States government to not legitimize the victory of the indicted war criminal al-bashir. We came out to speak loudly in solidarity with our families back home in Sudan. We have all said in one voice; no to Sudan’s sham elections’ results, we reject the so-called victory of al-bashir because its only means reinforcement of oppression, increase in human rights abuses and increased impunity in our country -Sudan.
Many notable speakers have repeatedly noted and agreed that al-bashir is a notoriously well known dictator with a history of committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity upon the people of Sudan. No one believes by any means that if the Sudanese elections were set to be free and fair he will come out victorious. He came to power by force, and he is using that same power to legitimize his presidency.
This left the overwhelming majority of the Sudanese people lost and without hope. They have been and continue to remain oppressed, while freedom remains non existent yet rewarded to al-Bashir- an indicted war criminal. Therefore, we were all calling on the international community to help resolve the crises in Sudan by arresting and surrendering al-bashir to The Hague to face justice rather than rewarding him by keeping silent.
My fellow Sudanese Diaspora said “we are saddened by the fact that despite the reports of independent election observatory bodies and reports from observers on the ground stating that the election was rigged and unfair, the international community is very willing and ready to accept the victory of al-Bashir”.
“As stated by some European and the US government despite the election’s irregularities we will deal with the victor to undertake the referendum for the South Sudan” The Sudanese people believe that this the government has mistakenly understood that a man with a track record in his lack of commitment and violation of almost all of the agreements he has made. Al-Bashir will finally commit to his words and fulfill his promises of violence and tyranny. The protesters also noted in their letter that “addressing the urgent situation in Darfur and the implementation of the CPA simultaneously is critical for the future of the entire country”. The international community must recognize the urgency and hold the government of Sudan accountable for its actions in both regions.
It’s clear that the government of Sudan is fully responsible for perpetrating crimes in both the South and Darfur therefore, Al-bashir’s commitment to the referenda should not be deemed trustworthy. Al-bashir is yet to fulfill his commitment toward all of the outstanding issues of the Abyie, Nuba Mountain, Blue Nile and lasting solution to Darfur.
If not, the international community has to know that from our experience as Sudanese that the victory of al-bashir jeopardizes the referenda more than ensuring its success if he is still has the authority to impose the same election’s irregularities. Therefore, the Sudanese Diaspora “urges the United State government to stand with the people of Sudan and make it clear to al-bashir that his place is in The Hague and his fake victory will not permit him to escape with impunity.
“They shouted “say no to Sudan’s election results” said the members of the Sudanese Diaspora urging the United States Government and its allies ” please do not legitimize the ruling of the indicted war criminal”.
Among the protesters was Mohamed Alhassan Alsofi- an ex presidential candidate who just returned from Sudan. Mohamed Alhassan Alsofi said “ I was in Sudan and I have seen and witnessed how our people have been oppressed, intimidated and threatened as I myself have gone though it, its is beyond ones imagination. I was running for presidency as a candidate from the National Reform Party. My name was taken out from the list without justification. I filed a case against the electoral commission to the constitutional court where I was shown a presidential degree with al-bashir’s signature in it issuing an order to dismiss my case. This is only one case, there are millions of cases in which al-bashir used his authority to manipulate and steal victory. That is why I came here today from Texas to speak for those with no voice in Sudan”.
Activists at the White House
While marching from the White House to the U.S. State Department, the protesters carried signs stating “Freedom for Darfur,” stop genocide in Darfur “Stand with People of Sudan,” “Justice and Human Rights for Darfur,” and “Peace Begins with Justice in Sudan.” They chanted “Al-Bashir to the ICC,” “We Reject Rigged Elections’ results,” and “Justice, Justice for Darfur,” as they marched to the U.S. State Department headquarters.
The demonstration continued for half an hour in front of the White House and about an hour in front of the US Department of the State. At the end a statement signed by a wide range of Sudanese Diaspora in the United States, Canada, and Europe was delivered to the US secretary of the State, Secretary Clinton. We the Sudanese Diaspora and our supporters from America, advocates and human rights activists renewed our commitment to continue to speak for the people of Sudan until lasting peace, justice and real democracy is realized all over Sudan and dignity is returned to its people.
Download a PDF of the letter to Secretary Clinton.
