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Sudanese PM Calls His Country a 'Success Story in the Making,' Asks World for
Help

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - During his recent visit to Washington, Sudan's Prime
   Minister Abdalla Hamdok said one goal looms above all others as he
   leads the country's transitional government: bringing peace to the
   war-ravaged nation.
   "Our number one top priority is to stop the war and build the
   foundation of sustainable peace," he said. "Essentially to stop the
   sufferings of our people in the IDP camps and the refugee camps. We
   think the opportune time of stopping this war is now."
   Hamdok did not specify which war he meant; Sudan's government has been
   fighting rebels in the Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile regions for
   years. The capital, Khartoum, saw deadly conflicts between protesters
   and the military earlier this year.
   He did say he was heartened by the resiliency on display when he
   visited the Zam Zam camp for internally displaced people in Darfur,
   where a war that began in 2003 has never entirely stopped.
   "It was a very moving moment but the climax of it was'¦ a woman who
   took the floor and delivered the first speech. She articulated so well
   their interest, their expectations about the transitional government,
   how they see the peace process. After that, she was followed by six
   speakers'¦ They all said our sister articulated our issues and were
   very satisfied with what she said.
   "All the sufferings and the miseries they went through, it taught them,
   educated them and made them strong enough to be able to say from now
   onwards we know what is good for ourselves and nobody can dictate on us
   anything. This is very liberating," Hamdok said.
   Unlike the administration of his predecessor, Omar al-Bashir, Hamdok's
   government has pledged to allow unfettered access for aid organizations
   to reach those in need.

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