An open letter to all Members of Parliament: Fostering Peace in Sudan

The Friends of Sudan (Canada)



19th September 2010

An open letter to all Members of Parliament: Fostering Peace in Sudan


Dear _________________:


With Sudan’s general elections now over, the time has come to refocus on the challenges that lie ahead for Sudan in the next year. The tremendous task of holding elections as agreed in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement drew international attention to the technical shortcomings of that process. It is likely that in the coming months attention will be concentrated once more on the technical aspects of the second major component of the peace agreement: the January 2011 referendum concerning the independence of Southern Sudan.

We are asking you and all your colleagues in the House of Commons to speak clearly and without political partisanship in support of this referendum process, which will be held on January 9th, 2011. Evidence from a wide variety of respected sources point to problems with the voting process: hundreds of thousands Canadians of Sudanese origin will not be able to exercise their right to vote in the referendum; another 6 million Southern Sudanese have been displaced and are still living as refugees in the northern states of Sudan and will not be able to reach polling stations; at least 35,000 of these refugees have been forced to slavery, and 4000 South Sudanese women in prisons in Khartoum and Umdurman. The world, including Canada, remains largely unaware and mostly silent. Even the UN speaks with a strangely attenuated voice, willing to sacrifice justice so long as a form of peace persists.

In Sudan the tragedy of the Western Sahara is being replayed and a failure to speak and act would be shameful. We ask you to insist that the Prime Minister raise this urgent referendum question with the President of the United States and the United Nation Secretary General. Specifically we recommend that the Prime Minister urge in the strongest possible terms that internally displaced (IDPs) Southern Sudanese living in the north be repatriated with the assistance of the UNHCR and other agencies, and that the Sudan Referendum Commission recognize the voting rights of the Sudanese refugee Diaspora dual citizenships living in Canada and the U.S. by opening Outside Country Vote Centers (OCVCs) in major cities.

To ensure impartiality, the OCVCs should be under the supervision of an independent body such the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), or Elections Canada, rather than the Sudan Embassy or the Government of South Sudan Mission Office in North America. Canada could support the OCVCs with knowledgeable experts, independent scrutineers and other resources. By taking the lead and acting swiftly, Canada may motivate members of the U.N. Security Council (especially France and the United Kingdom) into introducing a resolution to address the importance of the outside country vote in the Sudanese referenda.

There is much more to be done to ensure the continuance of peace in Sudan, but given the urgency of the referenda situation we believe that common action by MPs would be an excellent first step. Therefore, there is urgency for special envoy to represent Canada’s interest in Sudan in referenda. We look forward to hearing your voice in the House on this subject.






Justin Laku
Director


Cc: The United Nations Secretary General
Cc: President of the United States of America
Cc: President of Government of South Sudan
Cc: Chairman of the African Union
Cc: The European Union
Cc: The Diplomatic Missions in Ottawa
Cc: The U.S. Special envoy to Sudan
Cc: The U.S Ambassador to the United Nations
Cc: Sudan Ambassador to the United States

An Open Letter to each and every Member of Parliament in Canada:

An Open Letter to each and every Member of Parliament:

Dear _________________;

We are asking you and all your colleagues in the House of Commons to speak urgently and effectively, and without political partisanship, for the people of Western Sudan. Based on incontrovertible evidence, hundreds of people are today being murdered in Darfur in Western Sudan; over 750,000 have been displaced, and at least 100,000 have been forced to flee to neighbouring Chad. The world, including Canada, remains largely unaware and mostly silent. Even the UN speaks with a strangely attenuated voice.

In Darfur the tragedy of Rwanda is being replayed and a failure to speak and act would be shameful. We ask you to insist that the Prime Minister raise this urgent humanitarian question with the President of the United States. Specifically we recommend that the Prime Minister urge in the strongest possible terms that the United States immediately bring to the UN Security Council a resolution which would place a substantial and effective number of number of unarmed international observers on the ground in areas of conflict in Darfur. Canada would support this with funds and people. Such a resolution should also call for immediate access to all areas of Darfur by UN and international humanitarian agencies to attend to the food, water and security needs of the thousands of refugees and wounded. Failure by the United States to agree to introduce such a resolution should not deter Canada from pressing other members of the Security Council, particularly France and Britain, from introducing a resolution.

The above is the least that Canada can do in this horrifying crisis. There is much more to be done, but given the urgency of the situation we think that a common action from Members, before the house rises, would be an appropriate beginning.

We look forward to your action.


Signed
Members of the Canadian Friends of Sudan.©

encl.
April 23, 2004 Amnesty International Public Statement
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGIOR410282004
April 23, 2004 Human Rights Watch (HRW)
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/04/23/sudan8487.htm
April 14, 2004 Human Rights Watch (HRW)
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/04/14/sudan8431.htm
For detailed analysis and background (not enclosed) see HRW
http://hrw.org/reports/2004/sudan0404/

Preparations for Peace in Southern Sudan Our Position

Preparations for Peace in Southern Sudan
Our Position

That Canada take steps, including funding of capacity building initiatives, NOW, to enhance the southern Sudan infrastructure and institutional capacity in preparation for peace and the massive return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees to southern Sudan following the signing of a peace accord between the SPLM/A and the Government of Sudan. Further, that Canada pressure the Government of Sudan to desist from actions that are detrimental to a stable and permanent peace.

Issues

Current infrastructure, both physical and institutional in southern Sudan does not have the capacity to accept large numbers of returnees or to effectively use large flows of funds. Canada must act now to develop capacity in southern Sudanese institutions to absorb larger funding flows than have been available in the past.

The Government of Sudan seems to be using the crisis in Darfur to delay the peace process in southern Sudan while encouraging activities that are detrimental to a lasting peace. Canada must work to apply international pressure to ensure such activity ceases and the negotiations are brought to a successful conclusion.

Background

The Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement have signed a cease-fire and expect to sign a permanent peace accord following the principles outlined in the Machakos Agreement within the next few months. The government, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and relief agencies need to expedite preparations for the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and thousands of refugees to their homes in southern Sudan once a peace agreement is signed.

Over 1 million IDPs and thousands of refugees are expected in the first six months, which could lead to southern Sudan being overwhelmed. Donors must immediately begin to fund programmes to assist returnees, rather than wait for a final peace deal. These include local, food aid, health care, education and mine action institutions. Most of these will be NGOs as the government of southern Sudan does not yet exist. USAID's Famine Early Warning System warns that current food insecurity in "high alert" areas such as Aweil, Wau, Magwit, Torit, Bor, Juba and Yei would also be a problem for both returnees and host populations.

The peace process in Kenya has come to a halt as the government delays and delays while attempting to mollify the international community by extending the ceasefire in 3 month increments. The government also appears to be encouraging actions that are detrimental to a lasting peace, in particular, allocating depopulated lands to new settlers from the north among them some Egyptians. The Egyptian settlers are apparently being allocated land under an agreement between Sudan and Egypt allowing freedom of movement, residence and work between the two countries.
©CFS,2004.

Action Brief – Disarming and Disbanding the Janjaweed Militias

Action Brief – Disarming and Disbanding the Janjaweed Militias
Our Urgent Recommendation to the Government of Canada

That Canada use its influence at the United Nations and elsewhere to pressure the Government of Sudan to take substantial and real action to disarm and disband the Janjaweed militias in Darfur.
Issues

The Janjaweed militias, supported by the Government of Sudan, are the principal perpetrators of the genocide in Darfur. They must be disarmed and disbanded if the refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are to return to their home villages. 

 
Background

The humanitarian situation in Southern Darfur State is now worse than it has ever been. The current trend continues as bands of Janjaweed descend on the south from Northern and Western Darfur states, moving towards the Nyala and Sharaya areas. In spite of the deployment of the African Union Force and the increased presence of aid agencies these attacks continue. Neither the UN nor other agencies have managed to clearly map the areas depopulated as a result of militia activity, but according to humanitarian agencies, a clear trend has emerged of non-Arabs being hounded out of rural areas into urban centres. The current estimates are 1.2 million displaced and 70,000 killed. This is a clear case of ethnic cleansing and genocide, and it must be stopped.

The Janjaweed have attacked black Africans from the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnic groups with a ruthlessness that has not been seen in the region for some time, report aid agencies and refugees. They have killed, raped, maimed, looted and burned down tens of thousands of village homes, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. 

Many of the attacks take on a similar pattern, eyewitnesses report. Hundreds or thousands of Janjaweed riding horses and camels arrive in an area from different directions before engaging in a major offensive. Rich from looting thousands of head of cattle, they are well armed with automatic weapons and carry modern communications equipment. They easily coordinate their attacks with government forces. Before and after burning the non-Arab villages collectively accused of harbouring rebels, they often loiter, armed with automatic rifles, around water sources. Eyewitnesses say they intimidate and rape local women, loot their animals and destroy key infrastructure.

Given the nature of the crisis it will not be possible for the refugees and IDPs to return home until the Janjaweed are disarmed and disbanded.

©CFS
2004

Action Brief – African Union Mission in Sudan

Action Brief – African Union Mission in Sudan
Our Urgent Recommendation to the Government of Canada
That Canada strengthens its contribution to the African Union Mission in Sudan by providing increased and urgently needed funding and technical assistance for logistics and communications.
Issue
The African Union Mission is Sudan is very small for such a large and isolated area. It will need extensive logistics and communications support if it is to fulfill its mandate. Also, based on experience in the field, it may need to be increased in size again.
Background
On 8 April 2004 the Government of Sudan and the two rebel groups, Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM) and the Sudan Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) signed a Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement. The agreement provided for a complete cessation of all military activity, unrestricted humanitarian access to IDPs and refugees, neutralization of the armed militias by the Government of Sudan, the concentration armed rebel groups in identified areas and the formation of a Ceasefire Commission and appropriate monitoring force.

On 28 May 2004 the parties signed the Agreement on the Modalities for the establishment of the Ceasefire Commission and the Deployment of Observers in Darfur. The first AU observers were to be deployed to Darfur by 2 June 2004. On 28 October 2004 the AU agreed to augment the original AMIS monitoring force from approximately 300 personnel to 3320 personnel including 2341 military, among them 450 observers, up to 815 civilian police and appropriate civilian personnel. These additional deployments commenced on 28 October and will continue over the next few months.

Under the original plan much of the logistics infrastructure and on-site facilities were to be provided by the Government of Sudan. This new and much larger force will require substantial additional logistics that are unlikely to be available from the Government of Sudan.

Canada has experience in providing logistics and communications for a long distance force. A commitment to provide technical advisers and communications detachments would demonstrate Canada’s resolve to support this mission.

©CFS
2004

Press Conference-House of Commons, Ottawa: Justin Laku

Since early 2000 I have been calling on Canadian leaders to condemn the crimes of General Omar Mohammed al-Bashir.

President and leader of the National Islamic Fundamentalist party, the current government of the Republic of Sudan.

Bashir has been consistently pursuing his party’s stated goal of “Arabizing and Islamizing Africa”.

In 1992, The Chief Negotiator for the so called peace talks in Abuja, Dr. Ghazi Salahudin  declared “We came to fulfill a mission of Islamization and Arabizing Africa, so the issue of Self-determination is a non-starter.”

All of Bashir’s talk of peace, all of his participation in so called negotiations have been delaying tactics

 so he can implement ethnic cleansing on the ground and present the world with a fait accompli.

I know you need numbers, and I’ll give you some in a minute, but for now let me ask you a question.

How many of you have children?

I want you to imagine your child as a baby.

Imagine you are holding her in your arms.

Now I’m going to ask you to do something terrible, but this is a terrible war.

Imagine yourself completely helpless as a janjawee, an “evil horseman” rips her from your arms, throws her down your village well and tosses an grenade in after her.

I apologize for putting you through this, but Sudanese survivors don’t imagine this, they live it; and they only wish they could forget.

When Rwanda was drowning in blood the West wouldn’t use the word Genocide because they were afraid that if they did, they would have to do something about it.

Today we see Rwanda’s fate clearly, and those survivors still suffer terrible conditions.

Now the US and even the UN have declared the Sudanese Government’s crimes against humanity a genocide, and still they do nothing.

Here we are in 2004 and once again black men, women, and children are being sold into slavery.

Thousands have been butchered.

Thousands more have been raped.

Hundreds of thousands have been driven from their homes.

As we saw last Tuesday when Sudanese soldiers surrounded two refugee camps in Darfur, my people are not safe from al-Bashir anywhere.

I ask you; where is Canada's voice?

Where is Canada’s help that reaches out so quickly when others are in need?

The slaughter in Darfur began 18 months ago.

Hundreds of thousands more may soon die from starvation, disease and despair.

And why shouldn’t they despair when the world has abandoned them?

The Canadian government still refuses to call what’s happening in Sudan a Genocide.

The Canadian Special Peace Envoy to Sudan reported that there is “violence on both sides”.

If she were being raped would we condemn her for fighting back?

Would we dismiss her cries for justice by saying there was violence on both sides?

The Government of Canada and the UN were quick to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Genocide in Rwanda but they allowed it to happen.

Just last year the Government of Canada established a national Holocaust Remembrance day; but during WWII, the Government’s policy towards Jewish refugees was “None is Too Many!” Boatloads were sent back to Nazi death camps.

When will our Government stop lying when it says “Never again”.

Our Government has had almost four decades to respond to genocide in Sudan.

In 1966 more than ten thousand men, women and children from the Equatorial region of Southern Sudan were massacred by order of Prime Minister Sadiq Al_Mahdi.

Tens of thousands more were driven to refugee camps in Uganda, Kenya, Congo, and central Africa.

In March 1987 more than ten thousand Dinka men, women and children were massacred, some burned to death by inhabitants of the town of Al’da’ein, in western Sudan.

The international community stood by as these state run atrocities were committed.

Canada was quick to send troops to Afghanistan and a vast amount of development aid goes there.

When will the Government of Canada even condemn the ongoing Genocide in Sudan?

Ladies and gentlemen, I am just one man and our organization is small; without funds staff or resources.

We need your help.

My people are dying as we speak.

I beg you, help me raise such a cry in this wonderful country that this Government cannot help but do the right thing.

©Justin Laku

House of Commons

Canadian Parliament

Ottawa, On, Canada

Feb 132004

Letter to The Right Reverend Peter Coffin, Bishop of the Diocese of Ottawa

Don't withhold to do good when it's in the power of your hand to do it.  And don't say to your neighbor in need, “Come back tomorrow and I'll help” Proverbs 3:23-24.

From:  Justin Laku

2108-415 MacLaren Ave

Ottawa, On, K2P 2C8

Tel\fax: 613-567-0549

E-mail:  ljsamuel33@hotmail.com

Feb 11, 2000

The Right Reverend Peter Coffin

Bishop of the Diocese of Ottawa

71,  Avenue Bronson Avenue.

Ottawa, On, K1R 6G6

Dear Bishop Peter,

Christian greetings and best wishes to you in name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and praise Him for His many mercies on us.

My very sincere appreciation for your long letter of Feb 2, 2000.  Thank you so much for giving the Sudanese Community of Ottawa-Carleton your time, and for undertaking the problem of Sudanese Churches as one of your objectives for the year 2000.

In your letter you mentioned that you have been approached by number of groups, which claim to be the legitimate voice.  Yes!  There might be some who are trying to assist the persecuted Christians in Sudan with a different point of view according to their group objectives.

However, this does not mean that the Anglican Church of Canada should be inactive, silent or not taking a strong position.  It is time for the Anglican Church of Canada to wake up from its long sleep and speak out about these persecutions of the Christians, bombing of hospitals, churches and schools, as well as using of chemical weapons.

Therefore, we have been deeply concerned by the news coming out of Southern Sudan, and my group is trying to its best to educate and uneducated the Anglican Church of Canada which still has not taken a stand about its sister church in Sudan.

We "the Sudanese Anglicans" in Canada, would like to see Anglican Church of Canada involved in the peace process, speaking out fearlessly on behalf of the believers in Sudan, asking the Government of Canada to put pressure on the Canadian oil company in order to pull out of Sudan and to assist the needy people of Sudan who are living in Camps of Kenya, Uganda, Zaire, Central Africa and other place around the World.

I am personally disturbed with way that the Anglican Church of Canada has ignored the suffering of the brothers and sisters for seventeen years.  How could the Anglican church of Canada describe itself in the light of Saint Matthew 25:35-37,  "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”.

Let the Anglican Church of Canada seek more facts and respond to the needs of the Sudanese Church as soon as possible in order to be a practical Church, not a “theoretical Church".  Jesus was a practical man.

The Bible is very clear about what we are asked to do for those who are victimized because of their faith.  We are called upon to pray for them (which never happened at Christ Church Cathedral) and lay claim to the civic privileges that God has given to us.  It is our turn to speak up (on behalf of the voiceless people of Sudan.  The silence of many on behalf of the few ultimately diminishes and could destroy all of us.

Your letter failed to mentioned any plans, programs or what should be done next regarding the suffering believers of Sudanese Churches.  Instead, the letter focuses on the number of groups as if these are the main issue.  These groups like the Vessel, the Carrier, but not the Treasure, which is the persecuted Christians of the Sudanese Church.  The challenge is to ensure that the value is placed in the right spot, and that we defend the treasure, not the vessel.

I hope that the Work Group should not tie our hands as well as yours, or become an excuse for you not to speak out.  The practical solution is that either you visit South Sudan and see the persecuted Christians and draw your own conclusion, or simply invite one of the Sudanese Bishops in exile and let him tour and speak out on behalf of the voiceless people of Sudan who are suffering from the National Islamic Front (NIF) government which Arabized and Islamized Christians in the Sudan.

Finally, the primary purpose of this response is to explain to you how the Sudanese Persecuted Churches are been ignored by the Anglican Church of Canada.  I sincerely hope that this letter will help you and your Church understand the crimes of the NIF government against the Christians in Sudan so that you could take this issue seriously before gets too late like Rwanda.

We need to shake awake those who are power to bring their attention to these injustices.  And where we have a voice, speak out.  Once you know, then you're accountable.  And I would say, now we know.

I will be most happy to provide you with additional information should you desire so May God's richest blessings on your life and work.

With my Prayers,

©Justin Laku

A Proposal by Canadian Friends of Sudan to Mr. Nelson Mandela

SUPPORT FOR PEACE IN SUDAN

A Proposal by Canadian Friends of Sudan to

Mr. Nelson Mandela.

SUMMARY

In the difficult struggle for peace among the many peoples of Africa, Canadian Friends of Sudan (CFS) is urging you, Mr. Mandela, to focus your already considerable efforts toward lasting peace and prosperity for the people of Sudan, on the following urgent priorities. We ask you to use your wisdom, influence and diplomatic experience with others in the international community for:

1.      An immediate cessation of aerial bombardment of civilians in Sudan and the establishment of a cease-fire and no-fly zone. The war, especially the bombing, affects women and children most severely;

2.      A cessation of oil exploration and exploitation until peace is achieved;

3.      An end to Khartoum's bans on relief supplies and assistance;

4.      Effective guarantees of religious freedom for all citizens;

5.      An end to slavery and the provision of welfare support to former slaves;

6.      Establishment of the right to self-determination;

7.      Promoting unity of purpose among the war victims.

Details …

SUPPORT FOR PEACE IN SUDAN

A Proposal by Canadian Friends of Sudan to

Mr. Nelson Mandela

INTRODUCTION

Sudan, Africa's largest country, is experiencing the world's longest running and most brutal war. Since Sudan's independence in 1956, the country has been ruled by Muslims of Arab origin who live primarily in the northern part of Sudan. Successive governments have subjected the indigenous African
people, who are of Christian or traditional belief, to second-class citizenship.

The current phase of the war has run without a pause for 18 years. It is waged primarily between forces of the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). However, there are southern rebel factions and northern opposition groups. The war has caused the suffering and death of millions in the Sudan. The recent escalation of the conflict by the Khartoum regime threatens even greater destruction of lives, property and cultures.

Canadian Friends of Sudan (CFS) is working for an end to the war and a just resolution based on addressing the root causes of the conflict. CFS is requesting you, Mr. Mandela, to help bring lasting peace and prosperity in the country. Our primary objective here is to provide background information, policy alternatives, advocacy platforms and the assurance that your contribution will make a very significant difference in the lives of all Sudanese. For sustainable harmony and prosperity in the Sudan to be realized, we would like you to consider advocating the following goals:

STOP AERIAL BOMBARDMENT OF CIVILIANS AND INITIATE A CEASEFIRE

 
The urgent need to protect civilian populations and civilian institutions, including schools, churches, medical clinics, feeding centers, open-air markets, landing strips, etc. would be met if the government of Sudan ceased its aerial bombardment of civilians. Mr. Mandela, we request you to advocate for the imposition of a no-fly zone on the areas of conflict in South Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Ingessena Hills, for this is the first and most urgent step in stopping the scourge of government-conducted terror against the people.

An end to the bombing of civilian targets would promote a political climate conducive to negotiation. At the very least, imposition of a no-fly zone over the principal areas of conflict will act as a sign of the determination of the international community to bring an end to the civil war. The imposition of a no-fly zone will also signal to the Khartoum regime that the time for declarations and condemnations is over; and that practical measures are what count.

A no-fly zone will help create an immediate lessening of hostilities. This will, in itself, save countless lives, allow the return of refugees, and allow humanitarian relief to reach all areas of the war zone. Once the no-fly zone is in place, a comprehensive cease-fire could and should be implemented.

STOP OIL EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION

We also ask for your support in preventing the Government of Sudan's use of recently acquired riches from oil to escalate the conflict.  We ask you to urge corporations, investment firms and other economic entities in North America, Europe and Asia, to cease profiting from oil riches which are exploited at the expense of millions of central and southern Sudanese citizens. The exploitation of these resources only serves to fuel Khartoum's war machine and prolong the gross violation of fundamental human rights.

Oil exploration and exploitation are serving to justify ethnic cleansing on a mass scale in areas of northern Bahr al-Ghazal, Southern Blue Nile, Upper Nile, and the Nuba Mountains. This has led to the displacement of entire populations. We are calling for a complete halt to the exploration, extraction, production and sale of Sudanese oil until there is a peace settlement in the whole country.

As with the campaign to end apartheid in South Africa, the international economic interests that, wittingly or unwittingly, invest in injustice and genocide must be confronted if the conflict is to end. We believe that the wealth derived from Sudan’s natural resources must be used to benefit the people who live on the land, not to empower an unprincipled elite to engineer the people’s dispossession and destruction.
END KHARTOUM'S BANS ON RELIEF

The use of food as a 'weapon' of war by the GOS, and the food shortages and outbreaks of famine that have come in its wake, have been perhaps the single most devastating aspect of the Sudan conflict. This use of food as a weapon has resulted in the deaths of countless thousands, the internal displacement of millions and irreparable damage to the health, particularly, of women and children.

Much of the tragedy in the Sudan is man-made, engineered by the GOS through the manipulation of humanitarian aid, arbitrary flight bans, and the imposition of relief embargoes on populations in 'liberated' or non-government-controlled areas, particularly Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains
and Ingessena Hills.

We would like you, Mr. Mandela, to insist that food and other relief supplies be made available to populations in any and all areas of Sudan where there is need, particularly in famine-affected areas. In
addition, the Government-sponsored raids, which are aimed at burning crops, fields and food stores, particularly in 'vulnerable' districts, must be stopped.

ENSURE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR ALL CITIZENS

Religious persecution stands at the center of the tragedy of modern Sudan, and is one of the principle causes of the war. We would like you to stand with us in our demand that the right to freedom of religion; with the right to life, the foundation of all human rights, become a legal and constitutional
reality in Sudanese life.

The call for religious freedom is at the heart of the political reforms that will be required to end Sudan's long nightmare of war and destruction. Khartoum's decades-old assertion that Sudan is an Arab, Muslim country and its campaign to realize, by force if necessary, the dream of one nation, one
culture, one religion, has deprived millions of non-Arab, non-Muslim Sudanese of their most basic rights as citizens and as cultures.

As Eastern Africa's Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD Declaration of Principles) recognizes: Sudan will not resolve its fundamental problems, nor secure a lasting peace without firmly establishing in law a constitutional separation of religion and state. In a country of nearly unparalleled cultural and religious diversity, Shari'a (Islamic law) cannot function as the source of law and public policy as currently imposed.

In the short term, this means that we urge you to oppose not only the infamous Missionary Societies Act of 1962, but also its various modifications and revisions, most of which have only made the situation of non-Muslims worse. A fundamentally discriminatory law cannot be 'modified' or ameliorated; it must be abrogated in totality.

It should also be stated that we recognize that the Islamist ideology undergirding the current Khartoum regime is a travesty of normative Islam and the views of many Sudanese and other Muslims. For your information, Canadian Friends of Sudan, like many other organizations working for peace in the
Sudan, has Muslims in its membership.

STOP SLAVERY AND PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF FORMER SLAVES

Slavery, especially the abduction of women and children is yet another weapon in Khartoum's campaign of 'total' war against the populations of Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Ingessena Hills. We urge you to condemn and call for an end to this heinous violation of human rights, and for the care and education of the thousands of former, or 'redeemed' slaves, especially those who live in camps and settlements.

It should be noted that the GOS helped revive this horrific trade on a mass scale, armed the principal perpetrators, and continues to employ slave taking as part and parcel of its strategy of war.

Khartoum targets women and children, who are the most vulnerable members of the community, knowing that in doing so, it strikes at the very heart of the resistance to its policies, and at the morale, indeed, the very future of the communities against which it wages its campaigns.

THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION

The right to self-determination is very important to the resolution of the Sudan conflict. It is a fact to which all parties to the conflict agree. It also forms part of the IGAD Declaration of Principles. We would like you, Mr. Mandela, to underline the importance of this principle, and urge the international community to ensure its implementation.

Advocating self-determination does not imply support for the independence or secession of Southern Sudan.  It recognizes that the citizens of Sudan, who, in differing ways, have suffered so deeply as a result of the conflict, should play their rightful part in deciding the shape of a future Sudan.

The recognition of self-determination as an essential element in the search for peace in the Sudan, and its reflection in virtually all Sudan peace building initiatives, including the IGAD and Egypt-Libya peace program proposals is encouraging. Attempts to de-emphasize this principle would be tantamount to destroying the road to lasting peace in Sudan.

UNITY OF PURPOSE AMONG THE WAR VICTIMS

The GOS has planted seeds of discord and encourages hatred and divisions among indigenous Sudanese people, particularly among the people of South Sudan. This divide and rule approach has led to the emergence of numerous rebel factions and divergent political opinions. These matters have made
peace a very distant prospect at the expense of innocent civilians.

Due to the difficult living conditions for civilians in the Sudan, the government is also now in the business of sponsoring militia groups against their own people. Canadian Friends of Sudan would like to point out that the GOS and oil companies working in the Sudan do pay large sums of money to
people, including victims of the war as part of their public relations machine.

We ask you to support the call for a common voice to be heard from victims of Sudan's brutal war. This involves encouraging all leaders of military factions and political organizations to embark on dialogue toward building this common voice. This can be best started with a strong message to leaders of the main opposition groups.

CONSIDERATION OF URGENT ACTION

The emergence of a bipartisan political climate in the US has made Sudan and a negotiated settlement of the war a foreign policy priority. This became clear following the passing of the Sudan Peace Act (copies available at CFS). We ask you to encourage the Government of South Africa to become a more active and dedicated Sudan peace partner as well. Resolving the Sudanese crisis now will stop it from further spilling into other countries, including South Africa.

To advance the implementation of our recommendations, we urge that you consider convening a strategic working group on the Sudan at the earliest possible opportunity. The task of this strategic working group would be to develop precise goals and objectives for each of the above recommendations with oversight from yourself.

To date, Khartoum continues to bombard and enslave civilians, destroy their most precious institutions and remove them from oilfields by killing them or driving them away into uncertainty. These barbaric acts of terror need to be brought squarely to the attention of the United Nations, the European Union and
the African Union or Organization of African Unity, Canada and the United States. We urge you to set up a network of contacts, who should work for the immediate establishment of national or regional Sudan Peace Action committees.

We ask you, Mr. Mandela, to speak to Canadians, especially to the Government of Canada, about the fact that the Canadian flag is stained with Sudanese blood. We want the government to denounce Canada's Talisman Energy Inc. for financing the new weaponry that Khartoum has, and for ignoring the suffering of innocent civilians. When Talisman Energy pulls out of the Sudan, the civilized world can then face the Malaysian and Chinese companies operating in the Sudan.

The impact of the war on the people of Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Ingessena Hills has reached unacceptable proportions. Women and children bear the worst impact of the war. Many Sudanese women are raped, enslaved, made widows or single parents. Children are also killed or forced to the frontline, where they die or get killed. We urge you to have a special interest in rescuing and rehabilitating these defenseless women and children.

In Canada, South Africa, the United States and the rest of the civilized world, Muslims are allowed to worship freely. We would like you to help ask leaders of Islam, the GOS and its surrogates why there is cruel imposition of Islamic laws on Christians and people of other faiths in the Sudan. In essence, we would like you to join us in calling for harmony, freedom, democracy and dignity of human life in  Sudan.

Finally, since it is well known that the NIF has supported Osama bin Laden and other Muslim terrorists in the past, it should now be clear to everyone what kind of people they are. The embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, as well as the previous assassination attempts linked to Sudan should also be
reasons to stop the Islamic fundamentalist government from pursuing what it is doing. We should no longer be the voice crying in the wilderness. We would ask you to communicate this, on a serious note, to your network of African, American, Canadian and European diplomats, as well as other
officials worldwide.

Thank you.

©Canadian Friends of Sudan

415 MacLaren Avenue, Suite 2108,

Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2C8;

Phone: (613) 567-0549

Fax: (613) 567-0549

P r i n c i p a l    C o n t a c t s

©Justin Laku, Technician,

ljsamuel33@hotmail.com

Roger Stone, Engineer,

rnstone@fernbank.com

Moses Aligo, Producer,

mosesaligo@hotmail.com

Colin Stuart, Professor,

cdstuart@sympatico.ca

Afro-Canadian MPs and African Diplomats Have a Disappointing Record on Darfur

If the Afro-Canadian Members of Parliament do not care about the genocide in Darfur, why should the Canadian government care about Darfur? Canada sent 1,400 troops to Bosnia because Canadians of European decent play a big role in Canadian government and politics today. Today, Africans do have a voice in Canada's Parliament, but most have chosen to be quiet on issues affecting Africa. Bloc Quebecois MP Maka Kotto, a Canadian-African of Cameroonian decent, has chosen to keep quiet instead of supporting Independent MP David Kilgour in the fight against the genocide in Darfur, in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia.

Why is Maka Kotto so silent on Africans' problems? Why are Senator Donald Oliver, MPs Jean Augustine, Hedy Fry, Marlene Jennings, Rahim Jaffer and Deepak Obhrai silent in the issue of Darfur? Thanks to Gurmant Grewal and Bhupinder S. Liddar for their continued support of Africans: you are true sons of Africa, may God bless you. It is a shame on our African MPs.

Additionally and most important is the silence of the African diplomatic corps (with exception of some embassies). I think when Europeans come to Africa as diplomats they are very vocal in the press in the countryside, with the people, but our OWN African diplomats as a unit are very silent except for photo opportunities during Independence Day celebrations and parties; leaving their children in Canada when their term has ended. Therefore, I'd like to see the Dean and the African Heads of Missions in Canada form a coalition to ensure that the government of Canada plays its part in peacekeeping in Darfur and to push their weight collectively to answer all of Africa's concerns.

In 2003, I wrote a letter to Jean Augustine in reference to rape victims in the Sudan and asking how she could assist. I received no formal reply from her office until now. How many times has Ms. Augustine written to the prime minister about the suffering women of Darfur? Not a single letter, that I know of. Last May I wrote an open letter to all MPs regarding genocide in Darfur. I received no responses from any of the Afro-Canadian MPs. So why should the world care about Africans and the Caribbean if black senators and MPs are not concerned about Africa?

It's too early to know how much the newly appointed governor general will do for the victims of the rape in Darfur, peace in the South Sudan, genocide in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia. I do hope she will not turn her back on Africa and Caribbean. Can she make injustice visible?

©Justin Laku

President & Founder of the group of The Friends of Sudan
Ottawa, ON.