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Panel Discussion on Sudanese Politics |
Arab Media Watch (AMW) has organised a Panel Discussion on Sudanese politics. The suggestion was made by the Embassy of Sudan. Sharif
H. Nashashibi
, head of AMW chaired the discussion. At the meeting hall of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (27/07/07). Speakers were H.E. Omer Siddig, Ambassador of Sudan and
Steve Bloomfield
,
Africa
correspondent of The Independent. Unfortunately,
Nima ElBagir
apologised because of the tragic death of a close friend
“The crisis in
Darfur
will be resolved soon, as
Amr Mousa
(Secretary-General of the Arab League) has stated.” These were the opening words of
H.E. Omer Siddig
(
Sudan
’s Ambassador) during a Panel Discussion on 27 July ’07.
He went on to explain the steps taken by
Sudan
to restore peace and stability in the region. He explained that the roots of the crisis were complex. To describe them as a conflict between Arabs and Africans is a misleading generalisation and an incorrect simplification. Both sides in the conflict are black. Arabism, in
Sudan
is neither a racial nor an ethnic concept. It is a cultural linguistic and religious affiliation within the all-encompassing Sudanese Identity. He also said that desertification and climate change were factors. Clashes between nomads and peasants occur all over
Sudan
are not new. They happen across and within ethnic groups.
H.E. said that
Sudan
was not inimical to any power and it suffers from unprovoked aggression like the destruction of
Al Shifa Pharmaceutical
factory in 1998. He praised China as a trade partner and the main investor in the Oil Industry because no conditions are attached to its relations with
Sudan
.
Steve Bloomfield
, Africa correspondent of The Independent, said that the EU did not honour its commitment to cover the expenses of African peace-keepers in
Darfur
. He stated that he had met several senior officers whose salaries were not paid for several months! He was speaking at the Arab Media Watch Panel discussion 27/7/07.
The question is: is this the way to contribute to the solution?
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