Nubia and Kush

Nubia and Kush

Allied parties: We demand self-rule under international protection during the transitional period

Sudanese National Party: The Nuba issue must be discussed on the IGAD platform

Nuba Mountains General Federation: With the South and preserving our identity

Paid by: Etemad Al-Mirawi

(Quoted from Al-Hurriya newspaper)

Professor Al-Amin Hamouda says: We in the allied parties that speak on behalf of the Nuba masses insist on the necessity of discussing the issue of the Nuba Mountains within the framework of IGAD, and we reject any call to allocate a separate platform for this issue because it is an integral part of the Sudanese issue. We also insist on the need for the political parties in the region to participate in our negotiations as they represent the opinion of the majority inside. Regarding the position of the parties and masses of the region on the issue of borders and joining the south, he says:

The efforts and attempts to create a separate platform for the Nuba Mountains issue away from Machakos led to discomfort in many circles and councils of the people of the Nuba Mountains region. They emphasized in their speech “For Freedom”, which revolved around the situation of the Nuba in Machakos, that the IGAD platform in which the Sudanese problem is discussed in general is the loudest and most appropriate for resolving the mountain problem. In the same context, they considered the Kampala conference that was held last week a conspiracy intended to divide the Nuba people, so they denounced the position of some Politicians in the region for responding to the call for the conference. On the other hand, the speakers stressed the need for the Nuba Mountains region to have self-rule under international protection during the transitional period and to be left with the right to self-determination after its end, stressing that they are with the unity of Sudan based on new foundations and systems. However, in the event of the option of joining the North or South later on, they prefer the South and with international guarantees so that they do not become a black minority subordinate to the North and become more exploited and marginalized, in addition to that they are not ready to repeat the experience of northern oppression.

Below we read what was stated in the interview of a group polled by “Al-Hurriya”

We, as the masses of the Nuba Mountains, stand with a united Sudan built on new foundations of justice, equality, and recognition of the other and all beliefs and religions. During the transitional period, we demand autonomy for the Nuba Mountains region under international protection and with the effective participation of the central government. After the end of the transitional period, in the event of the secession of the South, God forbid, the people of the Nuba Mountains must have the right to self-determination to determine their political position under three options: that the region have autonomy under the umbrella of the South and with international guarantees, or under the umbrella of the North. Also with international guarantees or to be an independent entity. As part of our efforts to achieve this, we submitted several memorandums containing our clear opinion and position, a memorandum to IGAD and a memorandum to the government, as well as to the negotiating parties and friends of IGAD.

Our second speaker, Dr. Al-Amin Othman - Nuba Mountains Youth Committee, and his entry was identical to that of Professor Hamouda, as he said that since Machakos discusses the Sudanese problem in general, the Nuba Mountains are an inseparable part of Sudan, so discussing his issue must be on Machakos’ agenda, and those seeking to abort it and distance it from the IGAD platform should stop useless attempts like the Kampala attempt, and the politicians of the region must be vigilant and cautious. Dr. Amin adds, saying: I would like to comment on the trembling and cautious opinions regarding the issue of the South joining the North. First, in responding to those who believe that the people of the Nuba Mountains are culturally connected to the North more than they are connected to the South, we say that this connection was created by the factor of settlement that took place in the northern cities. It is natural for a person to be influenced by what is around him, and this applies to all other Sudanese groups located in the national capital and the rest of the cities. The unity of the place constitutes a crucible of overlap, even if the proportions vary, and this overlap and influence by the new component does not mean separation from the original. Therefore, I see in In the state of separation from the imposed cultures, there becomes room for the culture, legacies, and components of the region to meet and cross-fertilize, which forms and crystallizes the cultural and civilizational dimension of the region’s people, thus revealing the distance of his distinct and unique personality.

As for the opinion that the issue of joining this or that may lead to the erosion of the rights and religious beliefs of some, we say, and speaking to Dr. Amin, that the issue of religious beliefs was not a matter of controversy one day in the mountain region, but rather there is a true embodiment of the meaning of the coexistence of religions. If we look at the history of the leaders of the movement in the Nuba Mountains sector, we find that they have been Muslims from the beginning until now, and that the mosques there are more than churches, in addition to the presence of an Islamic preaching council. He continues, saying in addition to that, the transitional period does not mean leaving the north or the south, but rather it is a political treatment. Regarding the thorny issue of the region, we aim, by annexing the mountains to the South in the transitional period, for Sudan to remain united after that, because in the event of annexing the mountains to the North in the transitional period, there is nothing left that calls for sitting down and negotiating after its expiry. This comes through evaluation and follow-up of the general position. We see that the North has become fed up with the problem of the South and has begun to wish for its separation. This is what was demonstrated by the statements of many politicians and the comments of citizens, and this is also the case for the citizens and politicians of the South who have reached the same degree of conviction in the necessity of separation. Due to the complexity of the problem and their lack of seriousness in efforts to solve it, the Nuba Mountains region is the strongest link for the overlap in its components, and let the transitional period be a touchstone for testing the sincerity of intentions.

Mr. Abdel-Radi Ajabna - General Union of the Nuba Mountains began his speech by saying: First, we are with the unity of Sudan and 70% of the people of the region agree with our vision, which is represented by the following: The Nuba Mountains have characteristics and advantages that distinguish them from the north and the south. The Nuba Mountains region, in terms of geographical location, is the heart of Sudan. For these two reasons, we see that the unity of Sudan is very important for preserving its identity, and any crack in it will harm the mountain region. However, the unity that we want is the unity of the new Sudan on foundations built on justice and equality in the presence of Loyal national regime.

As for what is happening in Machakos and the situation of the Nuba Mountains, we say that the damage that befell the region as a result of the war during the past thirteen years has led to almost no necessities of life, and poverty, ignorance and disease have spread. Therefore, we see that the joining of the mountains to the north or south at the present time makes us vulnerable to exploitation. We first need to rebuild our personality and develop our capabilities and then decide while we are strong. Therefore, it is most appropriate for us to have self-rule under international protection, at least during the transitional period. Then he adds, saying: In the case of a choice between the North and the South, we will certainly prefer the South because in the North we will become an African Negro minority in exchange for Arab superiority in culture and development, and therefore we will become more humiliated, exploited, and marginalized. The experience we lived in the North and what we found in his speech and approach of disdain for our mentality does not make room for our coexistence and renaissance in equal standing with him. Also, in the South we will find the field of development in various aspects, and this is what we missed in the North.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Toum Al-Imam, Secretary-General of the Sudanese National Party: With regard to the Machakos talks, we believe without reservation in the unity of Sudan, but a new Sudan with new arrangements. As for the situation of the Nuba Mountains, we see that the Nuba Mountains and the rest of the marginalized areas have a problem like the south. Therefore, it must be discussed within IGAD and the discussion should include all parties, the movement, the government, and the people of the Nuba Mountains inside and outside, by convening a platform within IGAD that works side by side with the platform for the southern issue. As for the Kampala conference, we are politicians and we do not invite An opportunity to split our ranks.

Professor Mansour Al-Nayel, Al-Zaim Al-Azhari University, says: Before talking about Machakos and the situation of the Nuba Mountains there, and the push and pull that aims to keep the issue away from its platform, we go back a little. The history of national governments towards the Nuba Mountains region is clear since the dawn of independence. Independence was for a specific group. Despite the British’s departure, the Nuba people remained colonized, as evidenced by the continuation of the Daqniya taxes and the money of passion until 1964. The people of the region expressed their rejection of this in various forms, from politics and carrying weapons until a ceasefire agreement. The 1997 fire that was concluded between the returnees and the government, which represented an opportunity to achieve peace, but the League that seeks to continue the situation as it is so that its interests are not harmed was and will remain a dependent that works to destroy and abort any attempt at peace. Then he says: As for Machakos, in our estimation, it is considered one of the real platforms for resolving Sudan’s thorny issues. Therefore, we denounce all attempts aimed at keeping the discussion of the Nuba Mountains issue outside the framework of IGAD, and we denounce the position of the politicians on the people of the region who responded to the call of the Kampala conference because its purpose was clear.

As for the situation of the region, I believe that the people of the Nuba Mountains, inside and outside the movement, are demanding that it be kept with the south during the transitional phase. Why? Because the experience experienced by the people of the Nuba Mountains in the north, with all the bitterness of killing, displacement and forced displacement, makes it difficult to coexist spontaneously and reassured during the coming period. Therefore, most of the people of the region prefer to remain with the south in privacy or complete independence.