DARB ALINTIFADA, THE VOICE OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

ON-LINE INTERVIEW WITH USTAZA: FATIMA AHMED IBRAHIM

Dear readers of Darb Alintifada,

Starting with this issue of our newsletter, we begin this series of on-line interviews with Sudanese political leaders, so as to meet our goal that we declared in our mission statement, which calls for opening direct channels of communications between the Sudanese citizens and their political leaders to discuss the pressing issues of our country and give them the opportunity to ask questions, express legitimate concerns and even, exercise constructive criticism.

In Darb Alintifada, we believe that the emergence of Asmara Declaration to the political scene in Sudan, has moved the political struggle to a newer level, and made our political parties face the new challenge of "readjusting" their existing political programs to be in harmony with what they agreed upon and signed in Asmara, in June 1995.

Dear readers,

It is with great pleasure to welcome today a respected Sudanese woman who devoted her entire life for the benefit of her cause and her people. A courageous woman, who openly stood up and expressed her opinion, even during darkest days of dictatorship. A political leader, who has inspired our generations, even among those who disagreed with her believes. And a human being,who has forced us to respect her commitment, dedication and love to the Sudanese people.

Please let's welcome the leader of the Sudanese Communist Party, Ustaza: Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, the president of banned Sudanese Women's Union & the scholar who is currently on a postdoctoral study at the University of California , Los Angles, as a fellow, at the "Institute for Study of Gender in Africa"

(DARB ALINTIFADA)

Ustaza Fatima, we welcome you and thank you for being with us today to answer our questions...

(FATIMA)

Greetings to you all, and my best wishes on the occasion of the "Eid". I wish that all of us will spend the next "Eid" in Sudan.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

We start the interview by addressing the issue of the NDA media. We are very concerned by the "weakness" reflected in the slow reaction to the recent news about attempts of secret reconciliation with the NIF that has created a lot of confusion among Sudanese people, and specially to those who have direct access to global internet media. We also recall the recent misjudgement made by some of the NDA leaders, when announcing (without enough evidence), the defection of an army officer from the NIF army. Now, what role, do you think, that could be played to improve this vital tool of our struggle? Why the opposition media was not able to respond promptly to such news and only leaders of the UMMA and DUP (who only represent themselves) responded instead of the official NDA media that represents the Sudanese people?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

First of all, I think these roomers were cooked up by the NIF, because, logically, the NDA after reaching this current stage of success, would not go back and carry out secret dealings. But I agree that the NDA media is very weak and, not only this, but the direct contact with the Sudanese people is almost nil. This is a great defect that we have to admit. On the other hand, what is the duty of the Sudanese people. We should not wait for the leaders to come to us; we have to go to them. We have to criticize and advise them. Sudan is not their private property; it is ours! So, we have to contact them, send them letters, faxes, messages, to tell them that the NDA media is very weak and that their contact with the people is very weak. Please let's start this process immediately.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

Given the fact that over eight million Sudanese people are now scattered all over the world. The majority of which are exiled intellectuals who represent different sectors of the Sudanese society. Many of them used to be active trade unionists. How does this big number of Sudanese fit into the current structure of political struggle. Since the political strike and "Guarded Intifada" will physically occur inside Sudan, there have always been a question of what exactly the role that the Sudanese abroad must play to actively and efficiently participate in toppling the NIF regime?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

I think this big number of Sudanese outside their country (about 8 million) is quite a big number. We could have done a lot to help our people inside Sudan to carry on and start their intifada. First of all, we have to have regular contacts and access to the mass media where ever we are, and give them the correct news about the situation in Sudan. Second, we have to organize ourselves and unite ourselves to help the NDA to, always, make the right decisions by advising them. We have to have regular contact with them in Asmara. For instance, now, the NDA is preparing for a political strike. It is a good proposal, but it is not very effective outside the country. Why don't we all organize all these Sudanese to come together in every location to make demonstrations (or even silent demonstrations), go to the Sudanese embassies, demanding them to give up their power to avoid bloodshed. Why don't we come together in every location to answer to these lies spread by the NIF government? If we do this, it will help our people inside and also help the NDA.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

The slogan of "Guarded Intifada" itself, has brought a lot of debate to the Sudanese political jargon. Some believe that the masses must first be politicized enough to reach the conviction of arming themselves and be ready to confront with the NIF militias. Some believe that the armed support should come from the current military components of the NDA to support the uprising masses, and the third school calls for the armed struggle as the only way out to topple the NIF regime. How do you see and analyze this debatable theory of "Guarded Intifada" ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

About the slogan of the "Guarded Intifada", this slogan is necessary because the NIF made it impossible for a peaceful intifada, that we are used to. They have their armed militias, the National Defence Forces, and they brought to the country about 20,000 Islamic extremists from all Islamic & Arab countries to guard them. So, the NDA found it impossible to prepare the protection for the people in order to carry out the intifada. And that does not mean it is a coup or a war. The NDA has its plans and tactics in order to make it possible for the people inside Sudan to make a protected intifada. It will start by political strike. But the danger is not from the Guarded Intifada; the danger comes from the fact that this regime has committed crimes, torture, rape, and imprisonment, and all kinds of suppression, towards everybody in Sudan even non-political people. Now everyone in Sudan is thinking of avenging him/herself, even the person who has nothing to do with politics and the regime. So many people now have the idea of personal revenge, and this is a dangerous trend in our society.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

Being a leader of the Sudanese Women Union, why the Union has shrunk this much (apart from the years of dictatorship and oppression). Do you think that the communist party and the Union leaders are in some way responsible for this set back?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

What do you expect from an organization that has been banned for most of its time and working underground? And if you experienced the underground struggle, you will see why it has shrunk. So, if it is very difficult to work among the sector of women, even in the democratic periods, can you imagine it in such difficult times? Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the Union, large numbers of its leaders have been compelled to leave the country. So it is not actually the responsibility of the leaders; it is the political situation. If you add the number of  the years the Union has been underground, it is nearly double the years of its existence. Besides, the leaders are always subjected to imprisonment, being followed, being watched, etc. So how can it be their responsibility?

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

The Asmara Resolution is a big step forward in the political   struggle towards democracy and secular constitution. What is the guarantee that this agreement would be applied into reality.  In our history, we have the example of the "Democracy Protection Agreement", "Meithag Aldifa'a an Aldemogratia", Which has been signed by all political and trade union leaders including yourself in Omdurman in 1985 ? How do we make the Asmara Resolutions a tool of struggle in the hands of the Sudanese masses ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

There is no guarantee that the leaders of the NDA will keep their words. The only guarantee depends on us, the Sudanese people. And this is our mistake, always. We forget that we are the people who are responsible, and we put things in the hands of the leaders. If we unite and take our responsibility seriously of  watching them, advising them, attacking them, they will stop the way they have done before. Until we do that, they have the right  to do anything because we gave them the power and the right.  About the agreement for protection of democracy, which I  have myself signed as a representative of the Sudanese Women's Union, I take this opportunity for self-criticism, as I used to do everywhere I have spoken about this. My mistake is that I signed it without trying, along with my colleagues, the other leaders of the Union, to go to the women's masses, to speak to them, to try to organize them, to implement it. And the same thing happened with other leaders who signed it. So, we kept it on paper, and that is it. And this is a very good example to give when the leaders do not have direct contact with the masses, to involve them in these political issues. The result is what we have achieved. The masses are always the real force, and not the leaders. The intellectuals, also, have their duty to contact and move the masses.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

With the fact that the Sudanese Communist Party has adopted a new vision in its political struggle using the Multi-Party System as an ultimate tool for Democracy and Socialism in Sudan. Does this indicate that the SCP has totally dropped the idea of the unification of the leftist movement or does it use the current broad alliance with UMMA and DUP as a short term tactic to topple the NIF regime?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

First of all, the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP), since it was formed, and it is registered in its constitution, has supported a multi-party system. Therefore, the idea of a multi-party alliance is not new. It does not mean that the Party is against the unification of the leftist movement. Being a part of the NDA is not a contradiction. It does not mean that the Party is against the unification of the left. This is not the first time the Party has formed such alliances. Before every overthrow of the regime, the communist party used to make alliances with these same parties. And it is the only way to overthrow the NIF regime.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

What has the SCP done so far to reintroduce itself to the Sudanese society after the collapse of "Socialist Theory" in the eastern block. If you believe that the party can only survive and exist among Sudanese masses, what has the SCP done to make such masses participate in shaping the new party ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

The SCP does not need to reintroduced itself to the Sudanese people. They know it very well. They know it because during every military regime, the first ones to be sacked from their jobs, to go to jail, to be tortured and executed were members of the SCP. The Sudanese people have known them from the democratic periods, inside the Constituent Assembly, defending the rights of the masses as MP's. Secondly, the SCP, since its foundation, was one of the few communist parties which stated in its constitution that it is not against religion, because religions are not responsible for the exploitation and discrimination of the people. Thirdly, the SCP always was independent from all communist parties in Russia or Eastern Europe. It was proved when it was published in Arabic newspapers the names of parties and individuals who used to take money from these communist parties, the name of the SCP was not on that list. So, the collapse of socialism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe does not affect the SCP. It is still among the Sudanese people, and will always be. The masses are shaping it regularly because all of its fights and activities are linked with the causes, benefits, and issues of the masses. If not, its leaders, who are educated and highly qualified, could have been ministers and rich people. Instead, they are sacrificing their careers, their time, their families, and their lives for the sake of their people.

QUESTION (DARB ALINTIFADA)

What is your message to the Sudanese women abroad ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

My message to Sudanese women abroad is that they should take advantage of any chances available to learn, educate and qualify themselves, especially to learn languages. Secondly, they should teach their children their own culture and language and tell them stories about their great homeland and people so as not to lose trust in the Sudanese people in the homeland. Third, they should not forget our positive values and traditions of helping each other. Try always to support our people inside the country. Fourth, never think of staying outside the country forever. When this government is overthrown, they should go home and encourage others to go home in order to contribute to the development of the country. All those who are compelled to leave Sudan are the educated and include the experts. So the country is in need of every one of them. Fifth, stand up and collect funds to help the NDA and its broadcasting center to carry on their grand duty.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Has the SCP changed its ideology towards Islam as the religion of the majority in Sudan ? and if so, how will it contradict with the Marxist theory ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

The SCP has not changed its ideology towards dealing with Islam as a religion because, from the start, and as I mentioned in the first part of the interview, SCP declares in its constitution, that it is not against religions. Secondly, Marxism is neither a religion or a belief; it is a scientific theory. Therefore, it does not compel us to take it as a lump sum. This is why the SCP mentioned in its program and constitution that we apply Marxism according to our situation, our people's beliefs and their traditions. That means we will take from Marxism what is suitable for us and leave the rest. It is not compulsory to embrace anything we do not want to embrace. And by the way, if the NIF, which is in power now, discovered any proof that the SCP is against Islam, they could have killed them all, because this is their wish. And this is what they always used to threaten to do, and this is what has happened in Indonesia.

QUESTION (DA READER)

How do we guarantee that our political leaders will not repeat the same mistakes and conspiracies of the past ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

According to my previous answer, there is no guarantee that our leaders will keep their words. The only guarantee depends on us, the Sudanese people. We must unite and take our responsibility seriously of watching them, advising them, and even attacking them until they stop the way they used to be. The masses are always the real force, and not the leaders. And the Sudanese intellectuals, also, have their role to play to contact and move the masses.

QUESTION (DA READER)

After Alkhatim Adlan and Alhag Warag who had contributed to the party's efforts against fanatics and Islamic fundamentalism left the party, what role will the party play to address this critical area of struggle in a conservative Sudanese Society ? Will there be any doors open for dialogue with such X-SCPs after toppling the NIF regime ?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

With my due respect to Alkhatim Adlan and Alhag Warag who left the SCP and that was their choice, I do not think they were the first ones to leave the party. During Numarie's time, a large number of leaders of the SCP left the Party, but where are they now? The Sudanese Communist Party continued to address these critical areas of struggle in the conservative Sudanese society. The SCP's work does not depend on one or two of its leaders.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Why didn't the Sudanese Women Union fight against the phenomena of female circumcision in Sudan?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

The Sudanese Women's Union supports the eradication of female circumcision. But, the Union wants to differentiate between the causes for discrimination against women and the results of that discrimination. Concentrating on results or symptoms of the disease will never cure the disease. But concentrating on eradicating the causes of the disease, will result in the symptoms disappearing. So, we think that circumcision, the veil, violence, rape all these are symptoms and not causes. So if we concentrate on eradicating illiteracy among women and raising their consciousness, then circumcision and all "backward" traditions will disappear. At the same time, it will result in qualifying women to play their role. On the other hand, if we succeeded in eradicating circumcision, what will happen? It will not eliminate illiteracy; it will not qualify women to play their role inside the family and at the societal level; it will not achieve equality for women. Therefore, I think that the effort expended in fighting circumcision is in vein. That does not mean we should stop criticizing the practice and attacking it. It simply means not to put all our effort and resources into that particular struggle.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Dear Fatima Ibrahim, are you optimistic about the future prospect of a unified Sudan? If so, what reasons do you give for your optimism? In particular, could you address whether there has been a major paradigmatic shift in the attitudes and assumptions of the northern political elite (including the SCP) regarding the need for genuine and equal political participation of southerners in governing Sudan? If such philosophical change has occurred, what could have caused it ? Is it the recent military successes of the SPLA, the fear of separation, or the recognition that this is the "right" thing to do if the Sudan is to remain united ? Finally thank you Fatima for your constant commitment to including the South in the dialogue about the future destiny
of Sudan!

ANSWER (FATIMA)

Yes, I am optimistic about the future prospect of a unified Sudan. It is not a naive optimism for the following reasons:

(a) The Asmara Convention stated clearly that there should be a separation between politics and religion and that no party should be based on religion. This convention is signed by all the NDA members, including at the top, the two traditional religious parties.

(b) It gave the people of the south their self-determination. Most of them know that Sudan is their country, from Juba to Khartoum.

(c) It is the first time in the history of Sudan that a citizen from the south, Dr. Garang, has been chosen by northern parties as a leader of the NDA armed forces.

(d) Under this Fascist NIF regime, the people in the north, irrespective of their political affiliation or religion, have been subjected to severe discrimination and violence. In spite of the suffering that this has caused, that experience has been a very good lesson for them. This lesson would help to push them to be keen about the eradication of all kinds of discrimination. But there are no guarantees in politics. There are the interests and benefits and hidden plans and purposes of each political force. There are also the interests, benefits, and plans of the imperialist powers. Also, we can say the same for neighboring Arab countries. Sudan, as we all know, is a very rich country. It has a strategic importance. Many of these neighbors do not want a democratic regime in Sudan. Definitely it would affect them. So our duty is to insist on the Asmara Convention's full application and to stop any outside interference. Finally, thank you for thanking me, but it is my duty to care for my people in the South and to defend their rights. This is one of the goals to which I am dedicated.

QUESTION (DA READER)

My question to Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim is, what will be the first step to be taken if the NIF government is ousted today. Will the incoming government of NDA, implement the Asmara resolution, by withdrawing all the Sudanese armed forces, who are natives of the Northern Sudan, and replace the garrisons in the south by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA)?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

The NDA should implement all items of the Asmara Convention. The duty of all Sudanese people is to watch, advise, criticize, and apply pressure, if needed.

QUESTION (DA READER)

What is the relationship between the Sudanese Allied Forces (SAF) and the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP) besides being both members of NDA ? Has the SCP any sort of military presence within NDA/SAF or SPLA?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

The SCP has its own armed group.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Dear Ustaza Fatima, It was great to read the first part of the interview. You are inspiring as usual....

(1) Throughout the past few years, the International Women's Movement was able to VOICE some very important issues and these were reflected in the UN International Women's Conventions like CEDAW and Violence, Women's Rights etc. Sudan of course did not ratify these conventions.

(2) Moreover, the newly formulated Family Law of 1991(set up by the NIF) is discriminatory and maintains women in an inferior role and limits their basic freedom and access to decision making in the family. Even for our fellow Southern and Nuba sisters, the customary laws that are followed restrict their freedom and opportunities. It is therefore obvious that with the existence of such laws the marginalization of women in political, public and social spheres would continue. It is now that we need to prepare for the type of laws (for ALL Sudanese women from South, East West and North) that ensure our rights as women and assert our role in the development of our New Sudan. Regards and hope to receive your response,  Sincerely, Um Fatma

ANSWER (FATIMA)

Thank you, Um Fatma.

(1) Yes, the Sudanese government has not ratified these conventions. But In spite of this, the Sudanese Women's Union (SWU) succeeded in achieving equality for working women in wages, pension, and all work conditions. For this, we won the U.N. Human Rights Award for 1993, thus becoming the first NGO women's organization and, up to now, the Only one in the whole world to achieve it. Yet, we have to put pressure on the NDA government to ratify the three Conventions: Women, Children, and the Human Rights Conventions.

(2) Yes, the NIF regime has abolished all women's achievements. So, Sudanese women from all regions should come together and unite their efforts, together with me who support women's equality, to put pressure on the NDA government to change the family laws and to give women their equality in rights and in decision-making. We have started to work with our sisters in the South and Nuba Mountains. They have established their organizations. Now there are 32 branches, 25 in the South, 4 branches in the Nuba Mountains, and one in the Ingessana Hills. We are planning to convene a women's conference in the South. It is high time for us, Sudanese women, to stand up to fight for real democracy based on social justice and on human rights, and not only party pluralism as it used to be during democratic periods, which failed to eradicate class, race and gender discrimination, and to preserve peace.

QUESTION (DA READER)

What was Ustaza Fatima doing as a visiting scholar at UCLA, California, I mean in terms of what kind of work or research?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

My project is writing up some research about the Sudanese women's situation, the women's movement concentrating on the Sudanese Women's Union, its achievements, losses, and the counter-movement.

QUESTION (DA READER)

I understand that such an experience must have brought you in contact with a lot of Western feminists. Could you please tell us about what you think about Western feminists today? How do you evaluate your interaction with Western feminists? Did they learn anything from you and did you learn anything from them?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

I have learned a lot from western feminists, but according to the United Nations statistics, I've found out that western women are not liberated. They are still far away from equality to men in rights and decision making. So what they have gained is an individual, personal liberation to do what they like, a social freedom equal to men. But this personal freedom did not help to achieve real equality. And it also does not protect them from violence at home and in the society. Also, they have gained personal freedom in sexual relations, but still this does not help them to achieve their equality and has not protected them, even, from rape, which is of a very high percentage in the West. In my opinion, violence and rape are the most degrading kinds of discrimination. This is the situation of Western women in spite of the fact that women's movements started in Europe in the 17th century. This is what I have learned that we have to think deeper about the real causes of women's discrimination, worldwide. According to researches and studies done by Lewis Henry Morgan (American anthropologist) about human societies and the situation of men and women in it, it was proved that discrimination against women started with the slave class, when they started to use slaves to work the land in production and kept women inside the house. That means those women were being kept away from economic activities. That they became dependent on men financially is a cause of discrimination against women. So, up to now, the percentage of women in economic activities is less than half of the men's. But involving women equally to men in economic fields is not that easy, because economics are connected with the social structure. In my opinion, the easiest way is to get women's masses involved in politics, because politics is the way to power, and power is the shortest way to wealth. This is why the male ruling class are keen to keep half of the population away from politics, and also to keep away as many males as possible. This is why we find that even in the Western countries the competition is always between two big, strong parties, and not more, everywhere. And, of course, in the Third World, only one party. So, in my opinion, the shortest way is to turn women into a political force in such a way that all parties would compete for their voice, in order to bring them (the parties) to power. This was proved by our own Sudanese experience, that our Women's Union succeeded in involving women in Sudan against the first military regime in order to regain democracy. Women's masses were involved in the October revolution and after the success of the revolution, they gained their right to vote and to stand for election. From inside the parliament, I introduced the legislation for the working women's equality in wages, pension, and all work conditions. We started this in 1965. By 1969 working women had achieved all these rights. Until now Sudanese women have equal wages, while most western women do not. In the U.S. and U.K., working women get 68% of men's wages. That means women's issues for equality are linked with democracy, which is based on social justice and human rights. That means women will not achieve equality in a society where a man is not equal to a man. In other words, women will not get their equality in a society where there is any kind of discrimination: class, race, religious, etc. This is why we have to fight to be involved in politics and to fight for real democracy, not only for party pluralism. About whether or not western feminists learned from me, I can't say.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Considering that you have done a lot of traveling in the last few years, and came in contact with, not only western feminists, but also with feminists from all over the world, what do you think of the current state of the women's movement worldwide?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

I think that most women's organizations worldwide are upper organizations, run by the women elites. This is one of the reasons why women have not succeeded until now. Second, many women's organizations are part of the political parties, and they are limited within these parties, in terms of policies, and in terms of membership. A large number of them are linked with governments. These organizations have as their role to defend the policies of their parties or the regime. So, they are not interested in women's equality. This is why we can find women personalities who became prime ministers. They did nothing for the women in their countries. The women prime ministers in the Third World did not even eradicate illiteracy. So that means not all women are for women's equality. Not all men are against women's equality. For this I think that it is high time for us women to change our tactics, because up to now it has been proven that a women's movement alone could not achieve equality even for western women. So, it is wrong to put all men in one basket; and divide to conquer. We have to bring men who support us over to our side, and to work together for the social changes which result from a real democracy based on social justice and human rights, to eradicate all kinds of discrimination, and to achieve peace, protection for children, and full equality for women in rights and decision making.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Many Sudanese women from the generation younger than you consider themselves as feminist. Moreover, they think that you, Fatima, do not represent the kind of feminism that they believe in. For example, many believe that your style is old and does not confront patriarchy and male dominance in Sudan, as they would like to see. Any comments on that?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

My advice to them is to read a lot about how they got their equality in Sudan, in the first place. Who worked on their behalf? I am not trying to say that it was me only; it was the Sudanese Women's Union, the oldest women's organization in Sudan, and the only grassroots one. Yes, it is very
old, and Fatima is very old, but we are struggling for equality for the new generation. I ask you, what is feminism? What is the modern feminism? Is it about wearing European clothes and trousers, at the same time that you are being beaten by your husband or your brother? I think that if you go back and read the U.N. statistics, you will have a very clear picture about the situation of women in the world and about yourselves also. I should like to listen to women from the new generation and have them tell me what feminism is. I have not heard any of them lecturing or writing about the "new feminism." What is it? I would like to know about it.

QUESTION (DA READER)

Some people believe that you are now moving largely within the confines of traditional, mainstream male politics in Sudan and are more removed from issues of gender politics than ever. Any comments?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

First of all, these traditional, mainstream male politics in Sudan are the power which shapes the life and future of the people. And so, gender politics is not a separate thing. There is nothing called "gender politics," nor "male politics." It is one politics, one legislation that are set up by these politicians who are in power. Their policies and legislation affect a mother's milk, the income of the family, the standard of living, education, health care, and even the love in the hearts of the youth. So, you cannot separate the two politics: the mainstream and gender politics. If women were able to have their own politics, they would have attained their equality centuries ago. Always remember that you are ruled by these traditional, mainstream male politics. You cannot make any changes apart from them. You have to work to change their policies or remove them from power. If not, you will continue like this. And this is what is happening in Sudan. Be realistic !

QUESTION (DA READER)

Are there, in your opinion, any new emerging voices among Sudanese women today? If there are such voices, what do you think of them now and of their potential in the future?

ANSWER (FATIMA)

The new voices, the younger voices, are within the Sudanese Women's Union. And these women have played a leading role in the Union. These are the ones who are fighting inside Sudan, underground, leading demonstrations, and issuing the women's magazine secretly. They are the real heroes. Also, there are some new voices who are criticizing the old Sudanese Women's Union, but they have produced nothing in its place, although there is a very big space for anyone to make her own organization, to apply her own new ideas, and to contribute to the emancipation of women. But nothing positive has come out of these voices. To criticize is an easy job; to ruin is an easy job. But to build and emancipated woman is a very difficult job. I always try to encourage women to come out, to stand up, to put
forward their new ideas and defend and apply them. We are ready to help them. Another area for positive new voices is in Southern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains, and the Ingessana Mountains, reflected in the grassroots movements started in these areas, in spite of the war and the difficult situation there. Now there is an organization with 25 branches in the liberated areas in the South, six branches in the Nuba Mountains, and one in the Ingessana. In addition, there is the Sudanese Women's Voice for Peace, an organization built by the women of the South, but with open membership for all Sudanese women, to come together to fight for a long lasting peace. I am a member of that organization, and I can say that the women in the South are doing their best to help the grassroots women.