Comment: Silence, ignorance allowing Darfur atrocities

Jessica Lam

"All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you."
— President Bush, in his second inaugural address.


Remember Rwanda? One million people dead. How many lives could have been saved if we, the Western world, had not turned our backs on them?

We were criticized for our lack of action, for taking part in these atrocities by not speaking out. Silence is compliance.

That was 1994, but we see history repeating itself today, in Darfur. People say history is a learning tool, but we have obviously not learned much.

We give Africa our crumbs, saying it is the most we can do, and expect everyone to be happy with it. And then, several years later, we lament the loss of lives and vow never to repeat our mistakes. But those are empty promises.

It is estimated that 400,000 people have died since the Darfur conflict started in 2003. As many as 2.5 million people have been displaced and forced to refugee camps that are overcrowded and prone to attack from the Janjaweed, the Arab militia that targets ethnic groups. The Janjaweed is supported by the Sudanese government, and any international intervention is being resisted. Read more >>>