Workshop and Debate on October 19 and 20, 2007

On 19 October, the Ahueni Foundation organised a workshop on Darfur in Dar es Salaam Tanzania for CSO, academics and parliamentarians. The workshop sought to bring the conflict and its complexities to those in Tanzania in a position to influence the government, with specific emphasis on the following issues:

1. Raising the Profile of the Darfur Conflict in Tanzania

2. Keeping Darfur as a priority on the government agenda with regard to legislation and foreign policy

3. The Role of Civil Society in Tanzania

As part of these three issues, the workshop place significant emphasis on the issue of getting UNAMID operational and the role of Tanzania in that process. The participants heard presentations from the Darfur Consortium (international crimes in relation to the Darfur conflict), the Sudanese Embassy (the war in context), recently retired WFP deputy regional director of WFP (providing humanitarian aid) and the Tanzanian Legal & Human Rights Centre (refugee & IDPs in Darfur). The Sudanese ambassador was represented by his Minister Counsel who fielded many questions during question and answer time. His presence there enabled participants to ask questions that they may not have had the opportunity to have addresses had a representative from the Embassy not been present. In concluding the participants drafted a resolution to be presented to the Tanzanian government.   

Following on from the workshop, the very next morning, the Foundation organised through the student’s body at University of Dar es Salaam a debate with students on the issue of the Darfur Conflict. ‘Sudan as a Sovereign State should be left alone to Handle the Issue of Darfur’ was the topic for debate which was attended by over 200 students; quite an achievement for a Saturday morning. The Consortium was represented and argued that Sudan should not be left alone. After arguments for and against the motion, students were invited to make comments and, or ask questions. It was a lively debate and the students participated fully, with some showing extensive prior knowledge of the situation in Darfur.

Students were asked to come up with concrete suggestions as to what role they can play vis-à-vis Darfur and how Ahueni can assist them. It was decided that through the student body they will organise a peaceful demonstration and present a petition to the Tanzanian government. Other suggestions included a student exchange programme and a series of debate/seminars to keep Darfur in their minds.