Sudan Liberation Movement/Army

The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army or (Arabic: حركة تحرير السودانḥarakat taḥrīr as-Sūdan) (abbreviated as either SLM or SLA) is a nation-wide, plural, multi – ethnic, secular Sudanese opposition party, which is supported by millions of people in Sudan. Its objective is the creation of a free, secular, democratic State in Sudan, based on equal civil rights, the rule of law, and market economy. Despite the chaos of the current situation and years of political repression, the SLM says it is on the rise and supported by millions people in Sudan.

Genesis of a National Political Movement 1992-2001.

Abdul Wahid al Nur and 17 other men and women created the SLM at the University of Khartoum in June 1992.

In 1989, General Al-Bashir overthrew the Sudanese government after his party, the National Islamic Front, lost legislative elections with less than 10% of the votes. He immediately resumed the war against the SPLM (South Sudan) and called for jihad against inhabitants of Mount Nubba, which resulted in the massacre of about 500,000 persons. The SLM was created in reaction to the increasingly violent, divisive, and forcefully arabo-islamist dictatorship of General Al-Bashir. The SLM scored immediate political successes in the only forum where elections were still organized: the Universities; but it was left with little political space as no national election was ever organized. The SLM still tried to remain peaceful for 10 years, until Khartoum’s constant persecution brought it into open armed rebellion.

Defensive Struggle in Darfur 2001-2004

The military wing of the SLM, the Sudan Liberation Army, was created in 2001 as a defensive step. SLA operations began in Darfur, where loose resistance groups were already trying to protect the civilian population against the regular raids that governmental troops and state-supported Arab tribes had been carrying out since the 1980’s. Without any foreign support whatsoever, the SLA had to seize its military equipment from the Sudanese forces. SLA claims it has always limited its action to military targets, and its human right record looks unquestioned. At first, the operations of the SLA were quite successful, and they even managed to seize key positions. But Khartoum’s regime reacted with the brutality that the whole world now knows, killing up to 400,000 people and forcing over 2 millions to flee the country or live in camps. To oppose a very implausible deniability, and because governmental military–with the exception of aircrafts and helicopters bought thank to Russian and Chinese money-, is rather weak, most of the killing was carried out by proxy, i.e local Arab tribes (the infamous Janjawids).

Between reorganization and engagement 2006-Present

Since 2006, the military branch of the SLM retreated in defensive positions and has been mostly dormant. Directly targeted, Abdul Wahid al Nur had to flee to Eritrea where he was jailed. He finally succeeded to reach Paris, France in 2007 where he has found a strong support among the civil society, if not the government. He has refused categorically the asylum he was proposed, and vowed to pursue his struggle. Nur is in constant touch with the SLM/A leaders in Sudan , and his political capital among the populations is intact. The SLM has currently engaged in a process of reorganization, both in Sudan and abroad.

External links

• Why We Won't Talk to Sudan's Islamo-Fascists by Abdul Wahid al Nur - WALL STREET JOURNAL ([1])
• SLM statement on the secular state ([2])
• Sudan rebel leader on limelight while President in panic ([3])
• Video: Leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement ABDEL WAHID AL-NUR Supports Relations with Israel: An Israeli Embassy in Khartoum Will Serve the Interests of the Sudanese People ([4])
• CRISIS GROUP ([5])