Daily Darfur: Peace By What Means?

The Sudanese government's new point-person for Dafur, presidential adviser Ghazi Salaheddin, told AFP that the conflict is "in its final stages," and peace is around the corner.

Given the government's intensified efforts to root out rebels from North Darfur --- which, of course, involves bombing and Janjaweed attacks, without much discretion regarding the presence of civilians --- I question exactly how he thinks this "peace" will be achieved. My hunch is that Khartoum is working to distract the international community by engaging in high-level political negotiations, while still pursuing its preferred strategy at home: Total victory over the rebels.

Still, Darfur expert Sean O'Fahey told AFP that Mr. Salaheddin is very different from his hardline predecessor, Nafie ali Nafie, who is now focused on the country's 2010 elections:

"The fact that he is been appointed as Khartoum's representative for Darfur is an important signal of a change of policy. Nafi Ali Nafie pursued a hardline policy, Ghazi will seek compromise and reconciliation."

As always, I believe there's a "change" when I see one. If the history of Bashir's rule should teach us anything, it's that words mean very little, at least when it comes to making any kind of commitment.

Meanwhile, on a slightly related note, in a display of total head-up-your-you-know-what, the summit of the trade bloc COMESA praised Khartoum for its efforts to bring peace to Darfur. (.........?)

So it's official...

More news is out about the return of four American NGOs to Darfur, after the government accused them of spying for the ICC and expelled them post-haste following the issuance of arrest warrants for President Omar al-Bashir in early March.

Despite my initial excitement over this development, which was leaked by Senator Kerry some time ago, I have increasing reservations about whether or not the return represents a victory for international diplomacy, or for Bashir's strong-arming. See Michael's post at Humanitarian Relief --- I completely agree with his questions and reservations about the return.

Interestingly, though not surprisingly, Khartoum is denying that it made any such concession.

Quickies

Gideon Aronoff, president and CEO of HIAS, is blogging from refugee camps in Eastern Chad. Wonder if he'll run into the i-ACT team? (Thanks to @goldlis for the link.)

After meetings with the head of UNAMID, rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim pledged to sign a ceasefire agreement with the government. As always, I'll believe it when I see it.

Bec Hamilton points to a debate over territorial gains from the Balkans war that will likely have similar reverberations in Darfur, once the conflict finally ends.

[Photo from AFP: Rebels of the Sudan Liberation Army patrol in El-Fasher. ]