Actress Mia Farrow Offers to Exchange Her Freedom for Darfur Rebel's Safe
Passage By Ray McDonald
Washington
07 August 2007
Mia Farrow Mia Farrow has offered to relinquish her freedom so that an
ailing Darfur rebel can get safe passage out of a hospital.
In an August 6 letter posted on her website, the 62-year-old actress-activist
made the offer to Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir.
Suleiman Jamous, a moderate who has been a key link between Darfur rebels and
aid workers in the beleaguered Sudanese region, is in a U.N. hospital suffering
from abdominal problems. The U.N. said he is free to leave, but he fears arrest
or government reprisal.
In her letter to President Al-Bashir, Farrow said "As you are undoubtedly
aware, Mr. Jamous is in need of a medical procedure that cannot be carried out
in Kadugli. I am therefore offering to take Mr. Jamous' place, to exchange my
freedom for his, in the knowledge of his importance to the civilians of Darfur
and in the conviction that he will apply his energies toward creating the just
and lasting peace that the Sudanese people deserve and hope for."
Mia Farrow has traveled to Darfur as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and signed
her letter with that title.
Attempts to reach Sudan's Foreign Ministry spokesman on August 7 were not
successful. On August 2, the Sudanese government said it would consider a
separate written plea by activists and celebrities, including Farrow and South
African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to guarantee Jamous' safe passage.
A leader of one of Darfur's largest rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army,
Jamous was seized last year and transferred for medical treatment to the U.N.
hospital. He has faced threats from rival rebel chiefs and some government
forces.
Humanitarian workers consider Jamous the leader who may best guarantee the
safety of their aid convoys, which have come under attack in the area.
Activists also say he could spur renewed negotiations between rebel groups and
the government after last year's peace deal failed to quell the violence.
UNICEF spokeswoman Kate Donovan said on August 6 that the organization was
unaware of Mia Farrow's offer, and would like to consult with her before
commenting.
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