Government delegation visits Darfur sit-in

A delegation from the federal government arrived in Nierteti in Central Darfur this weekend to speak with the demonstrators at the sit-in, who protest against the insecurity in the area.

The government delegation is headed by Mohamed El Taayshi, member of the Sovereign Council. He is accompanied by the ministers of Justice, Labour and Social Welfare, and Information. They spoke with the demonstrators at the sit-in on Sunday.

Minister of Information Feisal Mohamed Saleh said that the delegation came to Nierteti “to listen to the people with an open heart and mind, in order to reach solutions to their legitimate demands”. He stated that “the government views this civilised protest of residents of the area, expressed by organising a peaceful sit-in, with much appreciation and admiration”.

The Nierteti sit-in started on Sunday last week, in protest against the rampant insecurity in the area*.

Support from the West Darfur Health Insurance arrived at the sit-in clinic. The Sudanese Doctors Union in the United Kingdom announced its commitment to supporting field clinics in the Nierteti area.

When travelling to the sit-in in Nierteti, members of resistance committees from other localities suffered a traffic accident. Three people died and more than 35 were injured.

Khartoum

Yesterday, the resistance committees in Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), and several other organisations held a protest vigil in front of the government offices in Khartoum in solidarity with the Nierteti sit-in.

The demonstrators handed a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s office, demanding that the demands of the protestors in Nierteti be met, and that the Nierteti sit-in be protected.

Participants in the vigil held banners saying “We are all Nierteti!” and “Security and peace are rightful demands”. Other banners presented demands of Nierteti sit-in itself. Slogans were chanted, calling for peace. Another slogan was: “You arrogant racists, all the country is Darfur”.

Other solidarity vigils took place in El Ahliya, Beit El Mal, and El Sawra in Omdurman, and Soba West, Arkoweet, El Mamoura, El Riyad, El Taif, El Jereif, El Manshiya, and Soba East in Khartoum.

Protest vigils were also organised in El Fasher and the Abu Shouk camp for the displaced in North Darfur, Tullus in South Darfur, Wad Madani in El Gezira, Port Sudan and Haya in Red Sea state, El Gedaref, and Khashm El Girba in Kassala. Participants in these vigils carried signs expressing their solidarity with the Nierteti sit-in, and demanding a swift implementation of its demands.

'We are all Nierteti!'

Yesterday, the resistance committees in Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), and several other organisations held a protest vigil in front of the government offices in Khartoum in solidarity with the Nierteti sit-in.

The demonstrators handed a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s office, demanding that the demands of the protestors in Nierteti be met, and that the Nierteti sit-in be protected.

Participants in the vigil held banners saying “We are all Nierteti!” and “Security and peace are rightful demands”. Other banners presented demands of Nierteti sit-in itself. Slogans were chanted, calling for peace. Another slogan was: “You arrogant racists, all the country is Darfur”.

Other solidarity vigils took place in El Ahliya, Beit El Mal, and El Sawra in Omdurman, and Soba West, Arkoweet, El Mamoura, El Riyad, El Taif, El Jereif, El Manshiya, and Soba East in Khartoum.

Protest vigils were also organised in El Fasher and the Abu Shouk camp for the displaced in North Darfur, Tullus in South Darfur, Wad Madani in El Gezira, Port Sudan and Haya in Red Sea state, El Gedaref, and Khashm El Girba in Kassala. Participants in these vigils carried signs expressing their solidarity with the Nierteti sit-in, and demanding a swift implementation of its demands.

* The demonstrators in Nierteti summarised their demands on a poster:

Dismissal of the director of the locality, the chief of police, and the commanders of the army, security service, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

Disarmament of those not authorised to carry weapons

Security and protection in the area

Protection of farmers and farms to prevent the failure of the agricultural season

Return of the livestock robbed by militiamen during the past two months

Opening of pasture tracks to avoid frictions between herders and farmers

Arrest of those against whom complaints have been filed and retribution for the victims

Banning of motorcycles in all parts of the locality.

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