HASKANITA, Sudan, 29 October 2005 — Thousands of Darfuris waited patiently in an overcrowded school yesterday as truckloads of rebel soldiers raced through Haskanita town shouting for revolution and brandishing their rifles in the air. Some had traveled for more than a week to the town in the east of rebel-held areas in Darfur, where the main rebel Sudan Liberation Army was due to open a congress to elect a new and united leadership and “democratize” the movement.
The logistical problems facing rebel delegates who have come from the United States, Italy, and England, as well as those who drove hundreds of miles through militia territory has delayed the start until today.
The delay did not dent the enthusiasm for the thousands already arrived, who waited patiently under trees, playing cards, banging drums and singing songs about freedom. “The youth of Darfur, free Sudan,” women draped in bright pinks, oranges and greens sang as they banged drums made of clay pots with skins drawn tightly over the lids. The homemade instruments proudly sported “SLA” painted in red on their covers.
Darfuris, passionate about the conference, risked their lives to make the journey to Haskanita near the eastern border of Darfur, a vast desert region the size of France. Some lost their lives on the way.
“We were attacked by armed men from the JEM (Justice and Equality Movement) along the border,” said Abakr Al-Tom, who came from a refugee camp in Chad across the western border of Darfur. “We had to run away but seven people were killed.” He and around 90 men and women skidded in rusty cars on sand-filled dirt tracks for nine days to get to Haskanita.
JEM are the other rebel group at African Union-sponsored peace talks in the Nigerian capital Abuja, but local commanders have turned on each other of late and the two rebel groups battle each other in the field. That violence and divisions between SLA leaders have stalled the talks.
Tens of thousands have been killed and more than 2 million chased from their homes during the 2-1Ø2 year revolt by mostly non-Arab rebels in Darfur. They accuse the central government of monopolizing power and wealth. Around 200,000 refugees fled to Chad. The SLA congress, the first of its kind, aims to democratize the movement. Around 1,000 delegates are expected as well as thousands of civilians from Darfur who have come to have their say.
“We want to see this movement democratized and for the leaders to unite and overcome their differences,” said tribal leader Tajeddin Ibrahim from Labado town in South Darfur. SLA Secretary-General Minni Arcua Minnawi and President Abdel Wahed Mohamed El-Nur are barely on speaking terms. Nur has refused to come to the conference. “He better come or the SLA will just kick him to the curb,” said Ibrahim. Conference organizers say the opening ceremony will be today.
