Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah

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Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah
Bornc. 1953
Marrah Mountains, Darfur, Sudan
Nationality Sudanese
Occupation(s)physician, professor
Organization Amel Center for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Darfur
Known forhuman rights activism during War in Darfur
Awards Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award (2007)

Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah (born c. 1953) [1] is a Sudanese physician and human rights activist.

Biography

A member of the Fur people, he is from the Marrah Mountains in Central Darfur. As a boy, he walked three days to reach his middle school, and five days to reach his high school. [1] He then attended medical school at the University of Khartoum, graduating in 1976. [2] The first physician from his area, he later constructed a medical network throughout Darfur to report rapes and other violence. [1] He became a medical professor at Darfur's Al Fashir University and acted as director of the Amel Center for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture in Darfur during the War in Darfur. [3]

Abdallah served as a delegate to peace negotiations between 33 Darfur tribes in 1989. At the beginning of the Darfur crisis in 2003, he again served as a peace delegate. [2]

In 2007, he was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for being "steadfast in his efforts to rectify the region's human rights crisis through serving victims of torture and providing leadership in the movement for peace." [4] The award came with a US$35,000 cash prize as well as a five-year partnership with the U.S.-based organization Physicians for Human Rights. [1] In accepting the prize, Abdallah stated his desire to act not only as a physician, but also a hakim (the Arabic word for doctor):

The role of the Hakim is not only to treat the patients but to protect his community... In Darfur, my role is not just that of a doctor, but someone who must work to protect the community, uphold the human rights of the people of Darfur and work towards peace. [5]

In 2009, Abdallah criticized the policy of U.S. President Barack Obama toward Sudan, stating that though the situation in Darfur was worsening, the U.S. government still lacked a "coherent policy" for the region. Ahmad argued that a regional approach including Chad, Egypt, Libya, and the Central African Republic was the only way to find a long-term solution to the ongoing crisis. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Nora Boustany (16 November 2007). "Physician Honored For Work In Darfur". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 Edward Kennedy (2007). "Remarks by Sen. Edward Kennedy: 2007 RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony". Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah, Sudan". Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Darfuri Doctor and Rights Defender to Receive 2007 RFK Human Rights Award". Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. 2007. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Remarks by Dr. Mohammed Ahmed: 2007 RFK Human Rights Award Ceremony". Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. 2007. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
  6. ↑ James F. Smith (24 March 2009). "Activist says Darfur crisis worsening". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
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