SUDAN: Focus On South: In Women Forum on Peace, Ekhlas Sheds Tears for Unity

Ekhlas Garang one of the thousands of Sudanese women who believe in national unity. Reports Zuleikha Abdel Raziq

As South Sudan self-determination referendum deadline nears, the Sudanese political arena becomes blusterous and dominated by intensive activities overwhelming emphasizing the merits of unity and hazards of Sudan partitioning.

One of the most prominent activities was the meeting of Sudanese women last Wednesday at the Friendship Hall, Khartoum under the banner of "Women Forum for Peace and Unity" organized by Women Union and honored by Presidential Advisor, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie.

Addressing the occasion, SPLM Leadership member, Ekhlas Garang, her hot, honest tears coated her faithful speech about unity. Her sincere emotional words made Dr. Nafie and the other attendants too to cry bitterly. Garang underscored, "The unity of the Sudan concerns us all," she said, commenting that it is ironic to see the Sudanese citizens discussing the possibility of splitting the country, hence compromising their common present and future.

Dr. John Garang established the SPLM for the sake of Sudan unity not split. Ekhlas said stressing that Late Garang spoke about the Sudanese diversities as a source of strength. She added,"When asked the movement leadership why separation, their answers, including, Riek Machar, were in tears. I told them that it is not just oil that is common between the North and South, but kinship."

"Should the SPLM representative, Ekhlas, did nothing to the Sudan but only these sincere words, she would have done enough for her country," said Nafie remarking on her address before the forum.

He further said the Sudanese women had pioneered the world of the women as they had undertaken her national role before her peers in Europe the originator of the human right issue. "Secession would be called for only by those who bear no love to their homeland. Political parties are usually subject to change, but the unity of Sudan ever will be above all individuals and parties," said the presidential advisor.

The Government has approved the federal rule system, adopted dialogue for realization of peace and preservation of the unity of the country. As such , this forum and any similar effort targeting unity will receive government support, said Nafie. He added that the government that wanted to prove practically that the Sudanese soil is the homeland of all people, put in place a plan to transfer the IDP camps across the board in the country into permanent residential quarters part of the national housing policy, said the advisor. He added, "But that plan has infuriated the West as they have been wanting continuity of those camps for serving their own plots."

The outcome of the upcoming referendum would be unity should full freedom be allowed to southerners. "I would like to call, through this forum on unionists to do their utmost for the sake of unity and advise the extremists to review their stances," concluded Nafie.

"The Sudanese woman has never been a decision maker regarding war. Rather, she has always been a victim of war. She always advocates peace as she well knows the consequences of fighting," said Sarah Elijah the Women Union Secretary General.

Speaking on behalf of southern political parties, State Minister for Communications, Teresa Siricio Iro stressed the unity of women, calling for peace preservation.