Baraka Mohamed, 56, lawyer:
What is happening in Darfur is a result of many years of persecution against specific tribes in the province.
These tribes are viewed with contempt such as my tribe, the Fur. When I was at school, I was beaten if I didn’t speak Arabic even though my tribe has its own language. This and other forms of “forced Arabisation” suggests the disrespect with which we are viewed.
This attitude is not confined to the Sudanese government – other Arab and Muslim countries are included.
Has a single Arab or Muslim country condemned what is happening in Darfur?
From my experience as a Sudanese member of parliament (2001 – 2005) for Darfur, I can confirm that what is going on is genocide….
I support the deployment of international forces because the 7,000-strong African Union (AU) forces are incapable of protecting themselves, never mind the people of Darfur. They have been repeatedly attacked in the past.
The international forces will be empowered to stop the attacks and put pressure on the government, unlike the AU which does nothing but write reports whenever an attack occurs.
I find the attitudes of those who claim that the deployment of international forces would only bring colonial forces to Sudan odd.
Why don’t they think of hundreds of thousands of Darfuris who were either killed or driven from their homes? Aren’t they human beings who deserve protection?
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