Comments on: In Memoriam: Jamali Hassan Jalal al Din

By: Alex de Waal

Alex de Waal — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:27:26 +0000

I received the following tribute from Mohamed:

When I met Al-Jamali In the mid 90s he was a faithful and loyal member of the NIF and the NCP later. I was a student in the university. Al-Jamali, unlike his friends, was always tolerant, rational, trying to show the logic of things, indirectly, and silently, disapproving the regime’s harassment and the prosecution practiced mainly by the national security. This was not always praised by his friends. We saw in their eyes the confusion about how and why Al-Jamali accepted us and did nothing to stop us—on the contrary supporting us to continue the discussion night after night.

As far as I know Al-Jamali was one of the few followers and supporters of the NIF/NCP who did not depend primarily on it for their living either as civil/military servants or as businessmen getting contracts or facilitations from the government. Instead he joined his brothers in their small-scale trade between Darfur and Khartoum, which I know for sure did not flourish after he associated himself with JEM.

By: Alex de Waal

Alex de Waal — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:45:03 +0000

We have had many expressions of condolence at the death of Jamali. Irrespective of their political allegiances, Sudanese and their friends mourn the passing of one of their own. Sudan has a fine tradition of putting political differences aside when it comes to personal matters and we should pay our respects to Jamali in this spirit.

This blog also encourages open and frank discussion and is run on the principle of freedom of expression–any contributions are attributable to their authors only. I should underline that neither I personally nor the SSRC as an institution support any calls for revenge. I also think it is mistaken to label JEM as a terrorist organisation.

By: Omar Ahmad

Omar Ahmad — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:25:31 +0000

This man was part of a terrorist organisation. He came to Omdurman to wreak death and destruction. The great majority of the Sudanese people have little sympathy for him. He died the way he intended for others.

By: Mastora Bakhiet

Mastora Bakhiet — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:04:01 +0000

I met Jamally in Fort Wayne, IN . He a courageous Darfurian man. He lost his life because he believes that Darfur is his top priorty. I know that the brave man don’t kill who like Jamally. Shame on the Islamic Sudanese government. I demand JEM to revenge for what happened to Jamally.

By: Hamid E Ali

Hamid E Ali — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:35:53 +0000

Jamally is my classmate from primary school to high school. After Abuja agreement he was in the USA and I spoke with him and he was optimistic about the future prospect of peace and we chat about the size of our families, it turned out that he was a head me in every category. We promised to meet in DC but other commitments did not allow meeting him. He was eloquent and charming with good heart, character. I he was killed during an interrogation after his eyes was pocked. He left more than 7 children behind him. Indeed, it is a great loss for Darfur. So many in Elfasher have told me how their hearts were broken by his death. As Alex said in better circumstances his talents and good character would have allowed him to live out a full and peaceful life. Overall, he had charted beautiful course of life and he has no control of the eventuality. We ask the almighty to bestow him with his mercy.

Hamid E Ali,PhD

By: Colin Thomas-Jensen

Colin Thomas-Jensen — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:32:14 +0000

Alex and Julie —

Thank you so much for your thoughtful piece. I met Jamali several times in Abuja, Washington, D.C., and most recently in eastern Chad. He was, as you say, honest and trustworthy. And he was also very funny.

My favorite memory of Jamali was sitting with him and other members of JEM in a house in Abeche. We sat and ate dinner together and then talked about Darfur. It got late, it got dark, the lanterns went out, and the only lights we had were two flashlights: my cheap drug-store light and my travel companion’s (a good friend of Jamali) expensive camping store light. My friend vehemently insisted that we use his expensive light, but within seconds of turning it on the powerful beam began to dim until, quite quickly, it completely went out. Jamali caught my eye right before the room went black and began laughing hysterically. It was infectious and we all followed suit.

Jamali was a man of integrity in a situation where people with integrity are so desperately needed. He will be greatly missed.

By: Alex de Waal

Alex de Waal — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:04:48 +0000

For the record, the Government of Sudan insists that Jamali Hassan and his bodyguards were killed in a firefight. Given the conflicting versions of events, an independent investigation would be appropriate.