Impressions of Darfur displaced, Sudan figures in Nyala summit aftermath

The two-day Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees conference was concluded on Tuesday afternoon in Nyala, capital of South Darfur. It counted with the participation of more than 1,170 people, according to official figures. Less than half of the attendants were displaced or refugees. Organized by the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) with logistical support of UNAMID, the summit was aimed at discussing several topics, including voluntary return, prior to the upcoming Donors Conference in Doha. Postponed twice in the past, the Nyala conference was anticipated with mixed feelings among its main stakeholders. All refugee camps in eastern Chad confirmed to Radio Dabanga they would boycott it, noting those who attended it were doing it on their own personal accounts. Displaced in Darfur were somewhat more divided concerning their participation in the conference. Unresolved security issues in the region was their main argument for not taking part in the summit, while others said their absence would not serve any purpose and decided to take part in it.   On Sunday, Radio Dabanga received conflicting reports about the abduction of a group of Darfurians from Zalingei on their way to attend the conference. A rebel movement claimed responsibility for it “because they were almost all security people pretending to be displaced”. Meanwhile, the chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) Dr. Tijani Sese condemned UNAMID for “handing over 31 displaced to an armed movement without the slightest resistance”. “Not for displaced or refugees” The association of displaced persons and refugees of Darfur stated the conference was aimed at the ruling National Congress Party (NCP), “confirming its previous allegations”. “The conference was not for displaced or refugees, but rather to the NCP so that it could falsify and alter facts. Thus the international community should ignore it and not recognize it”, the association announced. Omda Ahmed Ateem, coordinator of North Darfur camps and a leading figure in the association, told Radio Dabanga the result of the conference would “complicate the situation in Darfur and increase the suffering of the displaced”. Ateem announced he boycotted the conference. “Unacceptable” A participant from West Darfur told Radio Dabanga the displaced were not given space in the conference, as opposed to attendants of the NCP who “had every opportunity to talk”. He called this development “unacceptable and unjustified”. He noted the recommendations that emerged from of the conference express the viewpoints of the NCP, which drafted the final communiqué. The summit’s findings, which concern important and sensitive issues that require clarity and transparency so that solutions can be reached, were generalized, the displaced claimed. Dr. Tijani Sese, governors of the five states of Darfur and Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, federal minister of health, announced their support to the recommendations in the conference’s closing sessions.  They consider them to be the “best entrance to the donors’ conference in Doha next April”. “Information on Darfur” The Chairman of the DRA Council, Sultan Saad Bahraldeen, said voluntary return is an “objective” and the Nyala conference provided participants “a lot of information about Darfur”.   He said the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) will contribute to making the region into what it used to be. The sultan condemned the kidnapping of displaced on their way from Zalingei in Central Darfur to Nyala and also condemned the events that took place in Murnei recently. “Worthless” Omar Gamaruddin Ismail, policies coordinator of the American Enough Project, called the summit “worthless” and blamed Sese, Darfur officials and the government of Sudan for organizing the conference at the wrong time. Ismail, who comes from Darfur, said this is a “fake” summit without consideration for the reality on the ground. He wondered if donors “are stupid or unaware of what is happening” in Darfur. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Ismail condemned and blamed UN troops in Darfur for handing over civilians in Darfur without resistance. “No will” The spokesman for the coordination office of displaced in South Darfur, Khidir Mohamed Ali, condemned the opening speech of the Sudanese vice-president on Monday which was not “in the interest of promoting peace and social healing in Darfur”. Ali, who attended the Nyala summit, added the vice-president’s words represent the Sudanese government. “This means that there is no will to implement the agreement. We did not hear him condemning militias, or how they burn our villages and lead to more displacement in Darfur. Nor did we hear any apologies. All he did was to blame rebel forces for abuses”, the spokesman noted. Participants Participants included 360 displaced, 150 refugees, 100 members of civil society organizations, 100 members of native administrations, 65 NGOs representatives, 75 people of Darfur state governments, 40 members of parliament and council members of the federal government, 30 DRA representatives, and 250 representatives of Sudanese federal ministries. Arab and Westerners ambassadors and diplomats were present, in addition to UN organizations, UNAMID, and the conference’s guests and their committees.Photo: 26 March 2013. Nyala: A participant of the Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees Conference delivers his speech at the Koral Hotel in Nyala, South Darfur (Albert González Farran/ UNAMID)Related: Nyala summit: Sudan vice-president accuses rebels of Darfur crimes (26 March 2013)‘Mass demonstration’ in W Darfur camp against militias’ ‘abuses’ (26 March 2013)