Contact: Jimmy Mulla FOR

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Voices for Sudan

Cell phone: 202-360-9324
E-mail:
jmulla@voicesforsudan.org

SUDANESE DIASPORA OF VOICES FOR SUDAN URGE WORLD

LEADERS TO ADOPT AN ALL-SUDAN APPROACH AT U.N. SUMMIT

Washington, DC (September 23, 2010) - The Washington, D.C.-based

Sudan advocacy umbrella organization, Voices for Sudan (VFS), is
urging world leaders participating in the upcoming UN Summit on
Sudan on September 24 to adopt an all-Sudan approach to addressing
current challenges to peace throughout the country. Calling on world
leaders to take proactive measures to promote peace in Sudan, VFS
joined Sudanese Diaspora groups and allies in a rally in NYC
September 19th, the Global Day for Sudan, coinciding with this week’s
UN Global Assembly.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, has recognized the
international significance of this Summit on Sudan. She states, "The
meeting in New York will also send important signals to the Sudanese
people….It will underscore that the international community... expects
that political leaders will rise to the challenge of addressing the difficult
issues that still have to be negotiated if there's going to be lasting
peace."
Outlining the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing issues
of peace and development in Sudan, Voices for Sudan President, Jimmy
Mulla says, “This meeting should not only focus on the January 9
referendum for the people of semi-autonomous Southern Sudan and
the seven-year-old conflict in Darfur, western Sudan, but should also
address the Popular Consultation in the Nuba Mountains (Southern
Kordofan), the Blue Nile region, Eastern Sudan and the Nubia Region in
the far North. It should also address the ICC arrest warrant issued for
genocide in Sudan. The conflicts in Southern Sudan and Darfur are well
known, but residents of the Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile, Eastern Sudan
and Nubia regions also face grave threats to life and liberty.”
In the near future, VFS will include on its website an outline of a
country-wide approach to peace in Sudan developed by Sudanese

Voices for Sudan

1776 Massachusetts Avenue N.W # 800, Washington, DC 20036
202-360-9324, info@voicesforsudan.org
Diaspora and on-the-ground sources. An outline will also be provided
to world leaders on the pressing challenges to peace and development
that should be addressed by the international community. Concerns
around the country that should be addressed include:

• Clarification on the process of the “Popular Consultation” granted

to the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile on joining
the north or south to ensure that these states receive a
“democratic right and mechanism to ascertain the views of the
people on the comprehensive agreement reached,” as stipulated
In the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
• Realization of sustainable economic development, peace and
security in Eastern Sudan by ensuring the full and equitable
implementation of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA)
by demanding that human rights abuses and the political, social
and economic marginalization of the Beja People in Eastern
Sudan are improved. This also requires that humanitarian aid
workers and relief and development organizations are allowed
free and safe access to assist the people in this region.
• Defense of the ancient Nubian civilization threatened by
extinction as well as historically rich unexcavated archeological
sites outside UNESCO protection in the far north Nubia Region
due to the construction of dams, including the Merowe dam in
2008.
Mr. Mulla is appealing to Salva Kiir, Sudan’s First Vice President and
President of the Government of South Sudan, who has first-hand
experience with the struggles of the Sudanese people, to highlight
these issues and press for sustainable peace in all disenfranchised
regions of Sudan as he champions the cause of referendum for South
Sudan at the Summit.
“The issue of justice and accountability is crucial for lasting and
sustainable peace in Sudan. The gathering of world leaders provides a
great opportunity to address the enforcement of ICC arrest warrants
and to ensure accountability for all human rights violations, including
current head of state of Sudan Omar Bashir and all those wanted by
the ICC for crimes against humanity committed in Darfur,” asserts
Mulla
“The† situation in Sudan remains fragile and a return to war would be a
humanitarian disaster of massive proportions, potentially displacing
millions of people in all parts of the country, North-South-the three
contested areas, Darfur, Eastern Sudan and further destabilizing the
region.”

Voices for Sudan

1776 Massachusetts Avenue N.W # 800, Washington, DC 20036
202-360-9324, info@voicesforsudan.org
About Voices for Sudan: Voices for Sudan is a U.S.-based coalition of a
diverse network of Sudan-led organizations in the Diaspora dedicated
to resolving the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. VFS envisions a modern
Sudan at peace with itself and its neighbors, where human rights are
protected by the government and where sustainable economic
development can flourish.
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For more information, please go to: http://www.voicesforsudan.org/.
To schedule an interview with Jimmy Mulla, please call 202-360-9324,
or e-mail info@voicesforsudan.org.

Voices for Sudan

1776 Massachusetts Avenue N.W # 800, Washington, DC 20036
202-360-9324, info@voicesforsudan.org