Inaugural Conference
Towards Normal Political Harmony
October 30-31, 2009
McBride Hall, Iowa State University
Iowa City, Iowa State, USA
Final Statement
Iowa Forum for Democratic Transformation, Peace and National Unity
In an atmosphere that was inspired by the forty-fifth anniversary of the glorious October Revolution and under the banner of supporting democratic transformation, peace and national unity in Sudan, the Iowa Forum’s inaugural conference concluded its meetings and issued its recommendations and decisions. The conference participants were of diverse cultural, intellectual and political affiliations and arriving from various US states. They gathered and deliberated about major national issues in Sudan for two days, out of their conviction of the importance of connecting with the Sudanese national democratic forces in Sudan and the Diaspora with ideas and support. This will strengthen the efforts of the Sudanese people in their fight against dictatorship and their struggle to realize their aspirations for freedom, democracy, human rights and prosperity.
A group of high-profile political leaders accepted the Iowa Forum invitation to address the conference. The following leaders addressed the conference by phone at its outset. They recounted the Sudanese people’s long-standing fight against dictatorships and their continuous struggle to achieve their grand national goals.
1- Ustaz Mohamed Ibrahim Nugud: Secretary General, The Sudanese Communist Party
2- Ustaz Faroug Abu Eisa: Member, Executive Secretariat of the Juba Conference
3- Ustaza Haala Mohamed Abdalhalim; Chairwoman, Movement of New Democratic Forces
4- Ustaz Ali Mahmoud Hassanein: Vice-Chairman, the Unionist Democratic Party
5- Ustaza Sameera Karrar: Representative, Families of Ramadan Martyrs
6- Ustaz Yassir Arman: Deputy Secretary General, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement
7- Ustaza Noor Tawir: Chairwoman, the Sudanese United Liberal Democratic Party
8- Dr. Gibreel Ibrahim: Economic Adviser, Justice and Equality Movement
9- Dr. Omar Algarai; Writer and political activist
Poor telephone lines prevented the participation of Sayed Al-Sadig Al-Mahdi, Ustaz Bagan Amom, Dr. Amin Makki Maddani, Ustaza Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, Ustaz Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, Ustaz Mohamed Ali Jadein and others.
The Poet Mahjoob Shareef read some of his patriotic poems that fired up the audience.
Delegates from the following political parties spoke at the conference:
1-Umma Party
2- Unionist Democratic Party
3- The Democratic Alliance
4- Movement of New Democratic Forces
5- Sudanese National Party
6- Justice and Equality Movement
7- Beja Congress
8- Sudanese National Alliance
Delegates from the following organizations participated in the conference:
1-The American African Foundation Against Torture
2- American Institute for Sustainable Peace
3- Iowa Forum
4- Families of Ramadan Martyrs
5- National Personalities
After intensive deliberations, the conference issued the following decisions and recommendations:
First: Mobilize support for the decisions of the Juba Conference, establish a strong connection with its Executive Secretariat in order to coordinate and intensify the efforts at home and abroad to ensure full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and holding fair and free elections in the Sudan.
Second: Work sincerely and vigorously to ensure that all Sudanese in the Diaspora exercise their constitutional rights in the election to be held in April 2010.
Third: The conference rejects the nomination of Mr. Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir for the presidency as he was indicted by the International Criminal Court in March 2009 for war crimes and genocide in Darfur. It also demands the exclusion of any candidate indicted by the same Court.
Fourth: Work strenuously to support regional and international efforts and pressures to stop the massacres, rape and genocide in Darfur. The conference urges humanitarian relief organizations to continue providing aid to alleviate famine in Darfur. It also calls for pressure on the Government of Sudan to allow humanitarian relief to reach the refugees and displaced persons without hindrance or delay.
Fifth: The conference is deeply concerned about signs of acute famine in eastern Sudan and other regions. It condemns the government’s attempts to conceal and cover-up the dangerous situation. It also appeals to relief organizations to step up their efforts to avoid an impending humanitarian disaster.
Sixth: The conference affirms its full support for the Alliance of the Farmers of the Gezira and Managil Scheme rejecting the liquidation of the scheme and condemns attempts to sell the scheme to companies of the global Islamist organization. It calls upon Sudanese citizens to thwart this sinister plot.
Seventh: The conference decided to submit an urgent memorandum to the Sudan National Elections Commission demanding that it guarantee the rights of the Sudanese in the Diaspora in the registration and voting processes in the upcoming elections.
Eighth: The conference urges all Sudanese in the United States to organize and coordinate with their elected representatives regarding fulfilling their rights in the election process.
Ninth: Coordinate with the American Institute for Sustainable Peace, the Carter Center and others intending to monitor the election of April 2010 for fairness, impartiality and integrity.
Tenth: The Iowa Forum decided to keep its name ‘Iowa Forum for Democracy, Peace and National Unity’. The Iowa conference will be held periodically in the states.
Eleventh: It was decided to form a temporary mechanism to implement the decisions and recommendations of the conference consisting of the current Forum Secretariat and the members of civic society organizations attending the conference. A permanent national committee will be formed at a later date for that purpose.
Finally, the conference participants expressed their appreciation to the founding members of the Iowa Forum for their constructive initiative and efforts. The conference thanks all who worked hard to make it possible, especially the Sudanese in the State of Iowa for their hospitality and for facilitating the means for holding the conference. The conference appreciates the messages of support it received from those who were not able to attend. It also thanks the media for covering the event.
The conference calls on the Sudanese people at home and in the Diaspora to intensify their efforts and to continue the struggle to achieve democracy, peace, justice and human rights.