Sudan Willing to Aid Investigations in Claims of Slavery

Please allow me to clarify some of the points raised in the Dec 28 reports, “
Where freedom costs $75,” “The world’s worst religious war,” and “Buy-a-slave plan under attack.”

• The Sudan has repeatedly called upon all national, regional and international organizations and diplomats accredited to Sudan to join the government in its investigations into these claims of slavery.

They can provide information, technical assistance or whatever measures they deem appropriate, and the government of Sudan is ready to provide them with any logistic support required to reach any site they wish to visit.

• The June 1998 Constitution of the Sudan, article 20 on liberty and life, states clearly that: “Everyone has the right to life and liberty and security of person in accordance with the law.
“Everyone shall be free and no one shall be in slavery or servitude or degraded or tortured.”

• The government of Sudan has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitments to relevant international agreements and conventions.

• Alex De Waal, African Rights Watch, had a clear warning: “The issue is a slippery one: Slavery slides off into issues such as hostage taking. The difference between a hostage and a slave is important. It shows how Sudanese history must be seen in it local context must be seen in its local context, and how it is a mistake to impose stereotypes from elsewhere.”

It also, points to solutions: inter-tribal negotiations rather than indiscriminate “buying back,” which runs the risk of inflating the ransom beyond what families can afford and, even worse, creating an incentive for further raiding and abductions.

• The approach in the Citizen’s reports is partisan, selective and has actually failed to present any substantial material evidence other than the usual stereotypes and sensationalist over simplifications.

They instigate hatred and beat the drums of war, notwithstanding the fact that Dinka is a respected tribe in the Sudan.

It is noteworthy that H.E. George Kongor, Vice-President of the Sudan and other high ranking officials are among the sons of the Dinka tribe who are working hand-in-hand with their fellow Sudanese to build a developed and peaceful country.
• In Sudan, as in many other countries, we have problems and we are making genuine efforts to end them.

Betipiny Obur Ayang
Second Secretary
Embassy of the Sudan, Ottawa
Tuesday, Jan 5th, 1999
Ottawa Citizen Newspaper



CLAIMS OF ENSLAVEMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDANESE ARE TRUE


I am writing in response to the January 5, 1999 letters from the second secretary of the Sudanese Embassy in Ottawa “Sudan Willing to Aid Investigation into Claims of Slavery”. It is very sad to see a southern Sudanese writing on behalf of the National Islamic Fundamentalist (NIF) government, which is milling and forcing Southern Sudanese Christians to practice Arab culture as well as to become Muslims.

Please let me explain what is happening. The reason that some Southern Sudanese are speaking on behalf of the NFF government is that the NIF gives a lot of money to them (buying their silence) so that they do not tell the truth nor reveal it to the international community. This is very clear in the response of the nominal second secretary of Sudanese Embassy in Ottawa.

The NIF government repeatedly denies what was published in the Ottawa Citizen arid other sources about the slavery in the Sudan. We should not pay attention to what the NIF or its representatives say because they are not telling the truth. On the other hand, let us search for the truth of the Voiceless Southern Sudanese who are the victims of this government.

Yes! the Sudanese government did ask for investigation into the "slavery”. The fact is that the NIF was and is always hiding the reality from the International community. If there is a visit by a foreign diplomatic agent or independent side, the NIF and its supporters will gather a group of NIF supporter‘s in the country to meet with the visitors and the NIF will tell them what to tell to the visitors. Most of the visits occur in Khartoum which is being controlled by the government and the security agents of the NIF are always keeping an eye on those who want to reveal the truth about the crimes of NIF. Those who attempt to reveal the reality put their lives in danger risking being killed, jailed or disappearing•

Article twenty, chapter one, of the June 99 Constitution which abolishes slavery has actually been in force since the British left the country in January 1956 and even before that. This is not the issue; the issue is the fact that it is ignored. If the second secretary is right, their why do we get so many reports about slavery?

In Point five the second secretary mentioned that there is not enough evidence to prove what was published in the Citizen about slavery in the Sudan. I have proof that slavery exists. Sooner or later I will supply the Canadian Newspapers with copies of video and audio cassettes. My question to the second secretary is, “why are the people suffering?“

The primary purpose of this response is to explain to Canadians how the NIF government never tells the truth to the World. The NIF government reports which have been issued regarding this matter are misleading. I sincerely hope that these points will help Canadians understand the background of NIF crimes as well as how the NIF is using some of the Southern Sudanese such as the second secretary to deny the truth. I will be most happy to provide the Canadian community with additional information should you desire.

Finally, the issue of slavery is one of the major problems that Southern Sudanese are facing, which disturb the international community. I would like to thank the Ottawa Citizen for’ publishing the reality of tire voiceless Southern Sudanese people.-


©Justin Laku
Co-Founder & Former Chairman
South Sudanese Community Association of Ottawa Carleton
Wed, Jan 6th, 1999