Peace agreement reached in Sudan
From BBC:
“The Sudanese government and the largest rebel group in the Darfur region have signed a peace deal aimed at ending three years of conflict.
However, two smaller rebel groupings rejected it, despite last-minute efforts to secure their support.
The deal, which follows intense talks in Nigeria, calls for the disbandment of rebel forces and the disarmament of the pro-government Janjaweed militia.
The conflict has killed about 200,000 and left about two million homeless.
The BBC’s Alex Last in the Nigerian capital Abuja says the agreement is a key first step towards bringing peace in Darfur.” (more…)
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Readers of the BBC website were also given a chance to add their opinions on this latest development.
I think what actually count on the matter is not the signature itself but the commitment behind it. However, the fact that they’ve agreed to sign at all is a fundamental sign of progress. But the world should not go to sleep because there are too many flashpoints that area.
umukoro jacob, Warri, Nigeria
And this…
It is clear that most non-Sudanese do not understand what is happening either in Dar Fur, nor more widely in Sudan. The Dar Fur crisis, far from being a war between black and arab africans, is one facet that forms a complex pattern of inter-lined socio-political and economic factors across Sudan that have been at work since long before British occupation. Until the under-lying causes of economic and political marginalisation are tackled, peace will neither come to Dar Fur nor last across Sudan.
Dan, Khartoum
And this..
Unless the ARAB LEAGUE styles up their act, no peace plan will prevail in Dafur. This horrific case of selective amnesia among the ARAB LEAGUE is what is propelling the janjaweed militia to act with impunity.
Having said that, the REBELS too must realise they are NOT absolved from blame here and MUST cease every opportunity to make peace. Unrealistic demands will not help…do they want peace or power?
Joe Mukhwana, Funyula Kenya
May 5th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
This “deal” means nothing.
Nothing will help except military action. We need to go in there and kick ass.
May 6th, 2006 at 7:17 am
Unfortunately, I think you are right DS. The AU will have to make this happen and I’m not sure that the political will is there.
When you say “We”, I’m assuming that you mean the US, not the UN.
The comments from Africa are telling. They don’t hold out a great deal of hope either.
May 6th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
It angers me to hear all these idol threats wherein we say “we” need to go in there and kick but come on man. Man sharpens man has turned into man killing man there is no fighting for peace because if its supposed to be peace then all aggressiveness in the form of military action should be reomoved but then you say how will it end if the armed forces don’t go to war on these folks behalf. Somebody needs to call out these people for the genocidal attacks against their own in a better context. I know its a better way than picking up guns to solve these situations but the question really is will the human race ever see and fully embrace these concepts of consciousness