Darfuri women, children ask Southerners not to forget them

Darfuri children in El Geneina sent a message via Radio Dabanga to children in South Sudan on the occasion of the referendum on self-determination for the South. The children said that they are glad for South Sudanese. They wished the children of the southern states freedom and equality, justice and economic well-being.  On the other hand, they pleaded with them not to forget the children in Darfur, especially those children of Darfur in the camps. Two children, a boy and a girl, sent this message visa this morning’s broadcast.Radio Dabanga received other reactions from camps across Darfur. Many people expressed worry or sadness over the likely secession of the South. A group representing women in IDP camps issued a statement saying they are very sad about the separation. Southern Sudan is originally Sudanese, they said. However, they said that they respect the choice of the Southern Sudanese because they have been suffering for a long time. They asked the Southerners not to forget the women in IDP camps and the women of Darfur after independence. They also warned the government of Sudan that if its policies don’t change they will likewise secede. One woman speaking to Radio Dabanga from a camp said that she had lived in the South and was married to a Southerner with whom she had eight children.