Conference aims for consensus on democracy

A conference of Sudanese human rights and civil society groups opened in Uganda this week aimed at reaching a “consensus for a democratic Sudan.” The five-day meeting, organised by the Kampala-based Pan African Movement (PAM), has addressed issues of self-determination, religion, gender and human rights abuses committed by both the government army and rebel groups. It has attracted around 100 NGO representatives. A senior PAM official, David Masabi, said the meeting’s resolutions were to be released tomorrow (Friday).

“There may be frictions and the implementation of whatever is agreed may also take time. The most important thing now is to get started, which the people of Sudan have,” Masabi told IRIN today. The Khartoum government turned down an invitation to the conference. A Sudanese embassy official in Nairobi, Al Mansour Bolad, described claims that Khartoum abuses human rights as “fabrications, proganda and attacks from people angry with the government.” Representatives at the conference have accused government security forces of torturing children and women and burning down churches and mosques.