SUDANESE-AMERICAN PEACE ADVOCATE SAYS OBJECTIVE IS “SUCCESSFUL PEACE IN SUDAN”

Peaceful Settlement in Sudan: To bring to the attention of the American media and public the importance of the historic recent developments in Sudan, and discussion of the constitution of a new National Unity Government that ushers in the birth of a new peace-centered Sudan.

Americans and African Americans, in particular, should be thoughtful, strategic pragmatic and peace-centered in their intent and actions toward Africa was the basic message of Dr. Hashim El-Tinay. Founder and President of the Salam Sudan Foundation (SSF), a Washington-based think tank/NGO, Dr. El-Tinay spoke on his group's purpose: “to address the root cause of the prevalent culture of hate, violence and extremism through patient work for justice, peace, democracy and human rights; humanitarian assistance and solidarity between the American and the Sudanese people”.

With the escalation of the dominant culture of violence, wars and terror attacks, “our ultimate objective is to promote a new vision for a culture of peace and conflict resolution through cross-cultural and interfaith research, education, dialogue, cooperation and the promotion of a more compassionate dialogue of cultures, civilizations and religions” said Dr. El-Tinay.

Regarding Sudan, El-Tinay points out that “Even as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is taking hold, many in the West are still holding to a war mode and are slow to shift to a peace mode. While it is important to remain vigilant and push for peace in Darfur and the East, people in the West need to catch up with the spirit of the Sudanese people and focus their energies in a more positive way by strengthening the peace dynamic on the ground. At the end of the day that's the best way to resolve the Darfur and Eastern Sudan tragedies and put the whole country on the path to genuine democracy, justice, peace, respect for human rights and the rule of law, good governance, and prosperity”. Further reflecting on the psychological welfare of the region, Dr. El-Tinay added a spiritual emphasis, “We will all be better if we practice humility…the deepest identity of Sudan that transcends all cultural, ethnic and religious divisions, resides in its spirituality.”

Dr. El-Tinay suggested that these crises such as those in Sudan were opportunities for Black communities throughout the Diaspora to engage in and foster dialogue. He invited District residents to join Salem Sudan ( www.salamsudan.org ), an interfaith peace organization think tank and NGO, currently committed to the Sudanese peace process.

A Sudanese native, El-Tinay served as a Sudanese diplomat in France and Nigeria. He was jailed in Khartoum's infamous Kober prison in the 70s for his political ideas. Dr. El-Tinay emphasized that although both the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) are demonstrating good faith actions toward the CPA, conflicts in Darfur continue to overshadow these actions in Western international news and NGO reports.

El-Tinay believes that when people's awareness is raised about cultures, civilizations and religions other than their own, understanding becomes possible and cooperation becomes natural. El-Tinay insists that “Attention should be given to accelerating the Darfur peace process”. To achieve this, he says a coordinated strategic plan needs to be worked out between the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and international partners. “The real solution resides in a political deal between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels based on a serious dialogue on social, economic and governance issues. The same applies to the East”.

He said more attention should be directed towards talks between the government and rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Beja Congress to resolve the country's crisis. "If the international community would pressure rebels too, peace could take place in the entire region," said El-Tinay. He cautions that provocative rhetoric driven by local political considerations is oftentimes counterproductive and harmful to America's image in the World. “In a political culture where most politicians are partisan and self-righteous, attempts to wield big sticks like an arms embargo, freezing assets, and travel bans on government officials, actually result in negative and harmful stalemates incompatible with a peace dynamic”.

“Too often non-governmental organizations (NGOs) prefer to dwell on the negatives there. It's time to turn the page to focusing on the historic and positive shift toward peace and the strict implementation of the CPA,” he said. El-Tinay warns that Sudan's East threatens to explode into violence. “All the warning signs for a serious conflagration are flashing and the international community must act on this with extreme urgency” said El-Tinay.

El-Tinay, whose background also includes having worked with the Philosophy Division of the Social Sciences Sector of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), says “What is needed now is enthusiasm and dynamic political leadership both in the United States and the Sudan, to captivate the energies of the Sudanese people and channel their energies toward peace. In contrast to all the negativity and tragic violence unleashed by the grave mistake of the Iraqi war, both America and Sudan have now a golden opportunity for a positive story of peace making through the contributions of Rev. John Danforth, John Garang and Ali Mohammed Osman Taha were effective participants in peacemaking.

When America goes to wars or supports proxy wars by hastily taking sides without thoughtful consideration of the realities on the ground like in Iraq, it becomes part of the problem; and, when it acts on principle, and as an honest broker, like it did in Sudan, it becomes part of the solution.

El-Tinay says, "The real challenge for political elites in America and Sudan is to lead by example and not rhetoric. They must become credible advocates for change. They need to be more global, and transcend narrow partisan considerations to capture this historical moment and do what is right for the common good of all. If they continue the zero sum politics of exhaustion, driven by events rather than a peace-centered commitment, this may lead to a loss of the Sudan peace momentum, fuelling more instability in Sudan, Africa and the Middle East, thus contributing to the escalating spiral of global insecurity and extremism, a sure way to take us all down to the abyss”.

“Educate us about your problems and we will educate you about ours. We need you. You need us. We are one .”