Visions varied among experts and university professors on the dimensions of the demand of the popular movement – the northern sector – led by Abdulaziz Al-Helou, for the right to self-determination and secularism of the state, while some considered the demand a “political bargaining” while others believed it was the result of the mistrust that the armed struggle movements suffered for thirty years.
SPLM, headed by Abdul Aziz Al-Helou, stipulated the right to self-determination for the two regions “South Kordofan and Blue Nile” in case of incompatibility with the state’s secularism, calling for canceling all legislations and laws of religious affiliation, especially the one related to Islamic law.
However, the popular movement justifies its demands for the establishment of a secular state that excludes the laws of Islamic Sharia, to the fact that most residents of South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions are not Muslims but rather convert to Christianity, which makes it illogical to subject them to Islamic laws.
In the same context, the writer and political analyst ,Abdullah Adam Khater told (Darfur 24) that the basic starting point of the call made by Al-Helou regarding the right to self-determination, or secularism of the state, was attributed to the historical lack of confidence in the center that has been ruling Sudan since independence.
Abdallah Adam added that, the process of rebuilding Sudan based on a democratic reality Without decentralization, would enable the ordinary citizens of the regions to restore their constitutional rights, a matter that Al Helolu consider necessary.
Mr. Khatir pointed out that, based on the experience of the ousted June 30 regime, the mentioned regime used religion as a tool to exhaust the capabilities of the movements , forcing them to enter into armed conflicts, insulting and removing them from political scene in the name of religion.
However, Khatir said Al Helou had earlier asked the minister of justice to provide an appropriate definition of secularism consistent with the constitutional rights of citizens without influence of religion or regionalism that insult or humiliate people or exploit their resources.
Khater said, “There has been a mutual crisis of trust for a long time that needs a common understanding to exit to a new and agreed upon space without being at the expense of people’s cultures even if it is Islamic. For example, the people of Darfur see that the center, even if they are Muslims like them, is unjust, and therefore needs arrangements and guarantees to achieve real unity among all Sudanese.”
Regarding the eligibility of the government and the revolutionary front negotiators to discuss the issue of secularism and the right of self-determination , Khater considered that they have the right to discuss the issue as long as they are authorized by the government and its supporters. However, he added, “The discussion of these issues can be carried over to the Constitutional Conference, considering that the conference is a step, but with the absence of mistrust it must take place now.”
The writer said, given that the constitutional conference and confidence are available between the two parties, coming up with new, clear, distinguished and better new horizons, will definitely lead to Political bargaining.
The director of the Institute of Research and Strategic Studies at Omdurman Islamic University, Professor Salah Al-Duma, said that Al Helou call, for secularism or the right to self-determination, is an unrealistic call that represents political bargaining.
“Abdulaziz Al-Helou is not a young person, or a beginner in politics in order to make such a mistake, but of course Al-Helou thinks that this is a kind of political bargaining, but he is supposed to be from the theorists of the revolution, and therefore he knows very well that the transitional government is not authorized to offer such concessions to the revolutionary front, as it is one of the competencies of the constitutional conference, not the government.” he wrote.
“This is self-evident, and Al-Hilou should answer such questions, instead of asking other people to answer on his behalf”. Stated Salah Al- Duma.
Professor Al-Duma, in a statement to (Darfur 24), ruled out approval of Al-Hilou’s invitation, and likened Al-Hilo’s demands to the recent request of Deputy Chairman of the sovereign council , Mohamed Hamdan (Hamidati), to the native Administration to authorize him to form a caretaker government.
The native administration does not have any power to grant him authorization. It was dissolved by a Republican decree issued by the late Field Marshal Jaafar al-Numayri, and after Numiri disband, no one came to revitalize the native administration. It is therefore absurd to ask for authorization from people who have no right, however, the same applies to Al-Hilou, and therefore his demands are not appropriate”. He further added
Al-Duma pointed out that, Al-Hilo possesses enough political awareness, leaving the judgment on Al-Hilou’s demands that it is wrong or correct by saying: “The circumstances of the request tell why this request was, and therefore my message to Al-Hilo is considered a question more than an answer”.
Al-Duma added that, there are many members within the transitional government who are supporters of the secular state, and they declared this publicly, but that doesn’t help.
Even if he they are supporters of secularism wants a secular state, can they give the right to Al Hilou ? .. I doubt that, He further added.
He pointed out that predicting the future of government negotiations with Al-Hilo is very difficult, because the vision is completely different, a matter that reminds me of the absurd theater of(one man show).
“Al Hilou is demanding something that impossible to achieve, and when his demands are not met he stops the negotiations”. He added
“The government delegation asks Al-Hilou to dissolve his forces and integrate them into the armed forces, while there are other movements that are not requested to do so. It was assumed that a pledge would be taken from Al-Hilo in the future , if his movement was dissolved, so that it would be simultaneous with all movements in the revolutionary front that would be demobilized and integrated into the armed forces according to the known conditions. He concluded.
Khater’s and Al-Duma’s visions coincides with the resumption of negotiation sessions in all tracks between the transitional government and the Revolutionary Front, tomorrow (Thursday) in Juba.
The state of South Sudan, which meditating the Sudan peace talks, has suspended it on the occasion of Christmas.
The head of (mediation)team described the atmosphere of the talks as positive, adding that , the negotiations were going well and all the parties are discussing with an open heart.
He stressed that , the negotiation sessions with the movement led by Abdul Aziz Al-Helou reached part of the solutions, promising the Sudanese people that peace would be reached soon.
The capital of the state of South Sudan (Juba) has been hosting since last August the transitional government negotiations with the armed movements to end the armed conflict in several regions inside Sudan. However, Juba negotiations focus on five tracks, namely: (the track of Darfur region and the track of the states of South Kordofan, Blue Nile, eastern Sudan, northern Sudan, and the central Sudan track.
According to a statement signed by the official spokesman of Al Hilo Movement , Mahmoud El-Gak, the latter confirmed that his movement was sticking to its negotiating positions and did not make any concessions in the initial positions, but rather insisted on negotiating all issues, as he saw that the round of talks that started since (the tenth of December) has not yet resulted in any progress or positive results that push the negotiations forward, nor has it made any significant breakthrough regarding the points of disagreement over the declaration of principles, especially the secular state and the right to self-determination.
Members of the government delegation quoted as saying inside the negotiating hall that they orally reject the religious state and they belief in secularism, but they refuse to declare that position in writing.
It is noteworthy that the SPLM has been fighting the ousted salvation government since June 2011 in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and it suffered severe divisions after the Revolutionary Liberation Council of the movement issued, in June 2017, a decision dismissing its leader, Malik Aqar, a matter that led to the split of the Movement into two factions, one led by Hilou, while the other led by Malik Aqar..
Reaching peace in Sudan, is currently considered one of the most prominent files on the table of Prime Minister Dr. Abdullah Hamdouk, during the transitional phase that started on (August 21, 2019), and continues for 39 months ending with elections. However, the power is shared between the army and the coalition of forces for freedom and change, the latter represents the popular movement.