On March 25 at a speech at Freedom House, President George Bush became the only world leader to state plainly that the atrocities in Darfur amount to genocide.
He then said it must be stopped and proposed allowing NATO to help support the African Union’s small force there.
Since that time, the world, the United Nations, the Muslim nations and the African nations have done … nothing.
In fact, a few days after the president’s speech, NATO head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that "Africans feel very strongly" that they should take care of problems on their own continent. So, he added, one "should be careful" about imposing oneself on them. "There is not yet the need for declaring a willingness for [NATO] to participate."
No doubt Africans should take care of their own problems but, as columnist Nat Hentoff notes, more than 300,000 Darfur Africans have been killed in the conflict and more than 2 million displaced, so there does appear to be something lacking in the African response. Read more >>>
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Sunday, April 16, 2006
The world fails to act on another slaughter
But the same nightmare of genocide that descended upon Rwanda has now come to the Darfur region of Sudan -- and the world's response is exactly the same as it was 12 years ago: silence, foot-dragging and stunning ineptitude. More than 400,000 people -- about the population of Oakland -- have died so far. The dithering continues, even as Darfur chokes on its own blood. It almost feels like the United Nations and the great Western powers are waiting for the granite memorials to go up and the Sudanese national holidays to be established before they demonstrate that the routine slaughter of innocent people in Africa is an issue worth caring about. Read more >>>
Genocide in Sudan begs for attention
Tim Nonn
I used to be a dedicated bystander. Whenever I caught a glimpse in the media of the genocide in Sudan, I turned away.
One night, I stopped -- and heard the story of a young Sudanese mother who had walked for days through the desert with her children until they reached the safety of a refugee camp. Her village had been destroyed and her husband killed by government-sponsored militia. She saved her children, and changed my life.
I asked my church to contribute funds for the refugees in Darfur. A few months later, my tranquil existence as a husband, father and editor of technical journals was turned upside-down when I was asked by national church leaders to form a grassroots interfaith campaign called Dear Sudan. Our goal, as part of a larger movement, is to stop the genocide. Read more >>>
I used to be a dedicated bystander. Whenever I caught a glimpse in the media of the genocide in Sudan, I turned away.
One night, I stopped -- and heard the story of a young Sudanese mother who had walked for days through the desert with her children until they reached the safety of a refugee camp. Her village had been destroyed and her husband killed by government-sponsored militia. She saved her children, and changed my life.
I asked my church to contribute funds for the refugees in Darfur. A few months later, my tranquil existence as a husband, father and editor of technical journals was turned upside-down when I was asked by national church leaders to form a grassroots interfaith campaign called Dear Sudan. Our goal, as part of a larger movement, is to stop the genocide. Read more >>>
Darfur's children deserve our protection
By William Hague
We've seen the evidence of ethnic cleansing. We must act now or be condemned for our inhumanity
'We send our grandmothers to collect the firewood. We know they will be beaten. But we have no choice; if we send our men, they will kill them. If we send our women or our girls, they will rape them.' I could see the bitterness and despair on the young woman's face as she described the cruel choice that her family is forced to make every day. We were standing in Abu Shouk displaced persons' camp in Darfur, Sudan, in front of the flimsy tent that she called home. The full story >>>
We've seen the evidence of ethnic cleansing. We must act now or be condemned for our inhumanity
'We send our grandmothers to collect the firewood. We know they will be beaten. But we have no choice; if we send our men, they will kill them. If we send our women or our girls, they will rape them.' I could see the bitterness and despair on the young woman's face as she described the cruel choice that her family is forced to make every day. We were standing in Abu Shouk displaced persons' camp in Darfur, Sudan, in front of the flimsy tent that she called home. The full story >>>
Friday, April 14, 2006
Darfur Video Diary by shadow foreign secretary William Hague
William Hague's
Three years of conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan has created one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has seen. Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague has visited the area with the charity Oxfam. Watch the video diary for Sky News >>>
Three years of conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan has created one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has seen. Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague has visited the area with the charity Oxfam. Watch the video diary for Sky News >>>
Bush Administration Darfur Policy: Incompetence or Disingenuousness?
Eric Reeves
The Washington Post editorial (full text of this important statement at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/10/AR2006041001535.html) has asked the essential question of the Bush administration; tragically, the preponderance of evidence suggests that “two-faced” and disingenuous is the better description. What follows from this ugly reality is a lack of meaningful US policy for Darfur and eastern Chad, with the bleak diplomatic prospect that US leadership will be lacking as the Darfur region enters its period of greatest and most remorseless human destruction. Despite various posturing comments by Mr. Bush about a significant NATO role in Darfur (“NATO stewardship” was his phrase in February), statements from senior NATO officials in Brussels indicate that the role of the Alliance will in fact be highly limited. It is all too clear that senior Bush administration officials, at both the State Department and Pentagon, have failed to communicate effectively with NATO allies in Brussels, leaving a gaping disparity in public statements. The Bush administration has not invested the political and diplomatic capital necessary to sway the Alliance, which moves by notoriously slow consensus. Read more >>>
The Washington Post editorial (full text of this important statement at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/10/AR2006041001535.html) has asked the essential question of the Bush administration; tragically, the preponderance of evidence suggests that “two-faced” and disingenuous is the better description. What follows from this ugly reality is a lack of meaningful US policy for Darfur and eastern Chad, with the bleak diplomatic prospect that US leadership will be lacking as the Darfur region enters its period of greatest and most remorseless human destruction. Despite various posturing comments by Mr. Bush about a significant NATO role in Darfur (“NATO stewardship” was his phrase in February), statements from senior NATO officials in Brussels indicate that the role of the Alliance will in fact be highly limited. It is all too clear that senior Bush administration officials, at both the State Department and Pentagon, have failed to communicate effectively with NATO allies in Brussels, leaving a gaping disparity in public statements. The Bush administration has not invested the political and diplomatic capital necessary to sway the Alliance, which moves by notoriously slow consensus. Read more >>>
Thursday, April 13, 2006
In the dark on Darfur
Black leaders need to shine a light -- and raise a ruckus
The situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur, where more than 2 million people have been displaced due to violence and some 400,000 have thus far died, forces us to look at the lack of interest or discussion of an ongoing genocidal operation imposed on black Africans by Arab Muslims.
Our civil rights establishment, which might have shouted itself hoarse, has been remarkably quiet, or at least they have made very little noise of the sort that draws a crowd of people from the media. Fore more >>>
The situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur, where more than 2 million people have been displaced due to violence and some 400,000 have thus far died, forces us to look at the lack of interest or discussion of an ongoing genocidal operation imposed on black Africans by Arab Muslims.
Our civil rights establishment, which might have shouted itself hoarse, has been remarkably quiet, or at least they have made very little noise of the sort that draws a crowd of people from the media. Fore more >>>
While Darfur burns
It is enormously distressing to watch the sausage-making that passes for the world's attempt to do something about the carnage in Darfur.
The United Nations is still dawdling over plans to replace the African Union force currently there with a well-armed UN peacekeeping force. An attempt last week by the United Nations' top official on humanitarian issues, Jan Egeland, to visit Darfur was rebuffed by the Sudanese government. The full story >>>
The United Nations is still dawdling over plans to replace the African Union force currently there with a well-armed UN peacekeeping force. An attempt last week by the United Nations' top official on humanitarian issues, Jan Egeland, to visit Darfur was rebuffed by the Sudanese government. The full story >>>
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Putting an end to Darfur genocide
Brian Steidle has seen it all: Bayonets used like toothpicks to pluck up babies; villages torched; people maimed; women and girls who have been raped; children who are orphaned. The former Marine captain spent six months in Darfur in the west of Sudan with an African Union peacekeeping mission, monitoring the genocide taking place there because Arab raiders, called janjaweed and supported by the Sudanese army, are victimizing black Darfurians.
Now Steidle is spreading word about his experiences there and trying to create awareness and demand that the world do something about it. Read the full editorial >>>
Now Steidle is spreading word about his experiences there and trying to create awareness and demand that the world do something about it. Read the full editorial >>>
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Darfur crisis intensifies
New York
Efforts to stop atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region are unravelling, with a new peacekeeping force uncertain, relief aid under attack and UN sanctions stymied, UN officials and analysts say.
"The situation is spiralling downward on the ground and retreating backwards on a daily basis in New York, Washington and Brussels," home of Nato, said John Prendergast of the International Crisis Group think-tank.
"A fragile consensus has collapsed under the weight of the Sudan government's artful diplomacy campaign," Prendergast told Reuters.
"It played chicken with the broad international community, and once again the international community drove off the road."
The main bulwark against abuses is the cash-strapped African Union which, under pressure from its Arab members who often side with Khartoum, is hesitating to merge its 7 000 troops with a UN force. The full story >>>
Efforts to stop atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region are unravelling, with a new peacekeeping force uncertain, relief aid under attack and UN sanctions stymied, UN officials and analysts say.
"The situation is spiralling downward on the ground and retreating backwards on a daily basis in New York, Washington and Brussels," home of Nato, said John Prendergast of the International Crisis Group think-tank.
"A fragile consensus has collapsed under the weight of the Sudan government's artful diplomacy campaign," Prendergast told Reuters.
"It played chicken with the broad international community, and once again the international community drove off the road."
The main bulwark against abuses is the cash-strapped African Union which, under pressure from its Arab members who often side with Khartoum, is hesitating to merge its 7 000 troops with a UN force. The full story >>>
Ending Genocide in Darfur
Editorial
A time for quick actionEnding genocide requires more than slow-motion intervention. The United States and the United Nations must act much more aggressively and quickly to protect civilians trying to escape violence in Sudan's Darfur region.
The U.S. government has labeled the violence in Darfur, which began in 2003, as genocide. That's appropriate: The militias that have been trying to erase the population there are backed by the government in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.
Sudan's president, Omar el-Bashir, responds to such charges with a "Me? No, never." But then government helicopters buzz overhead to strafe villages and camps for the displaced, who number 2.5 million. Read more >>>
A time for quick actionEnding genocide requires more than slow-motion intervention. The United States and the United Nations must act much more aggressively and quickly to protect civilians trying to escape violence in Sudan's Darfur region.
The U.S. government has labeled the violence in Darfur, which began in 2003, as genocide. That's appropriate: The militias that have been trying to erase the population there are backed by the government in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.
Sudan's president, Omar el-Bashir, responds to such charges with a "Me? No, never." But then government helicopters buzz overhead to strafe villages and camps for the displaced, who number 2.5 million. Read more >>>
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Darfur violence crosses border into Chad
By Shashank Bengali
JANJAWEED ARE FREE TO RAID AND ATTACK REFUGEES, CIVILIANS
The war in Sudan's Darfur region, where more than 200,000 people have been killed in what the Bush administration calls genocide, is growing deadlier and more complicated.
Since the beginning of the year, militias backed by the Sudanese government are crossing over almost daily into neighboring Chad and freely attacking Darfur refugees and Chadian civilians in villages along the lengthy, desolate border. Read more >>>
JANJAWEED ARE FREE TO RAID AND ATTACK REFUGEES, CIVILIANS
The war in Sudan's Darfur region, where more than 200,000 people have been killed in what the Bush administration calls genocide, is growing deadlier and more complicated.
Since the beginning of the year, militias backed by the Sudanese government are crossing over almost daily into neighboring Chad and freely attacking Darfur refugees and Chadian civilians in villages along the lengthy, desolate border. Read more >>>
Rescuing Darfur
By Juan E. Mendez
Twelve years ago this month, Rwanda experienced some of the most brutal crimes in memory. Up to 1 million persons were massacred, literally butchered with machetes, for merely being ethnic Tutsis or Hutu political moderates.
As images of mutilated bodies beamed across the globe, the international community stood idle. As we reflect on the lessons of that horrific episode, we must renew our commitment to take bold, decisive measures to ensure genocide does not take place in our times. We cannot claim to have learned the lessons of the 1994 Rwandan genocide if our action in the face of genocidal violence remains half-hearted.
Action is particularly needed in Darfur, where the threat of genocide continues to loom large. For more >>>
Twelve years ago this month, Rwanda experienced some of the most brutal crimes in memory. Up to 1 million persons were massacred, literally butchered with machetes, for merely being ethnic Tutsis or Hutu political moderates.
As images of mutilated bodies beamed across the globe, the international community stood idle. As we reflect on the lessons of that horrific episode, we must renew our commitment to take bold, decisive measures to ensure genocide does not take place in our times. We cannot claim to have learned the lessons of the 1994 Rwandan genocide if our action in the face of genocidal violence remains half-hearted.
Action is particularly needed in Darfur, where the threat of genocide continues to loom large. For more >>>
Saturday, April 08, 2006
World fails in finding lasting solution to Darfur crisis: UN
NAIROBI, April 7 (Xinhua) -- A top United Nations relief official said on Friday the world has failed to provide a lasting solution to the crisis in Sudan's volatile region of Darfur where a three-year fighting has killed thousands of people and displaced million others.
Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland said the world has failed to put pressure on Khartoum and rebels to reach a solution at the negotiation process. For the full story >>>
Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland said the world has failed to put pressure on Khartoum and rebels to reach a solution at the negotiation process. For the full story >>>
End slaughter in Darfur: The United States must lead in halting genocide
The United Nations calls Darfur the "worst humanitarian crisis in the world," and for good reason.
Three years ago, Sudan began massacring ethnic African villagers in its western region of Darfur. As many as 400,000 people have died so far of murder, starvation and disease. Another 2.2 million have become refugees and are teetering on the brink of extermination. For more >>>
Three years ago, Sudan began massacring ethnic African villagers in its western region of Darfur. As many as 400,000 people have died so far of murder, starvation and disease. Another 2.2 million have become refugees and are teetering on the brink of extermination. For more >>>
Friday, April 07, 2006
The catastrophe in Darfur
By: Ailise McMahon
The United Nations's top humanitarian official in Sudan, Jan Egeland, was prevented from entering Darfur on Monday. He told The New York Times, "[The Sudanese government] said I'm not welcome ... My interpretation is that they don't want me to see what I was planning to witness in South and West Darfur, which is renewed attacks on the civilian population." Read more >>>
The United Nations's top humanitarian official in Sudan, Jan Egeland, was prevented from entering Darfur on Monday. He told The New York Times, "[The Sudanese government] said I'm not welcome ... My interpretation is that they don't want me to see what I was planning to witness in South and West Darfur, which is renewed attacks on the civilian population." Read more >>>
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Khartoum Sharply Accelerates War on Humanitarian Aid in Darfur
Eric Reeves
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are directly threatened with genocidal destruction by the National Islamic Front
Jan Egeland, the UN’s chief humanitarian official, was this week brazenly and contemptuously denied access to Darfur by leaders of Khartoum’s National Islamic Front (“National Congress Party”). Not only was Egeland refused entry to South Darfur and West Darfur, but he was informed through the NIF’s UN mission in New York that he “would not be welcome in Khartoum.” As if to underscore their contempt for UN humanitarian operations, Khartoum’s genocidaires the next day denied Egeland use of Sudanese air-space as he sought to travel to Chad to see Darfuri refugees and the rapidly deteriorating conditions along the Darfur/Chad border. The full story >>>
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are directly threatened with genocidal destruction by the National Islamic Front
Jan Egeland, the UN’s chief humanitarian official, was this week brazenly and contemptuously denied access to Darfur by leaders of Khartoum’s National Islamic Front (“National Congress Party”). Not only was Egeland refused entry to South Darfur and West Darfur, but he was informed through the NIF’s UN mission in New York that he “would not be welcome in Khartoum.” As if to underscore their contempt for UN humanitarian operations, Khartoum’s genocidaires the next day denied Egeland use of Sudanese air-space as he sought to travel to Chad to see Darfuri refugees and the rapidly deteriorating conditions along the Darfur/Chad border. The full story >>>
Sudan: UN Concerned for 90,000 Displaced People After Aid Group Asked to Leave
UN News Service (New York)
Living conditions for 90,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the conflict ridden Darfur region of Sudan are likely to get worse after Sudanese authorities asked the Norwegian non-governmental organization that was coordinating the largest IDP camp to leave, the top United Nations relief official said today, just a few days after authorities banned him from visiting the impoverished region.
For more >>>
Living conditions for 90,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the conflict ridden Darfur region of Sudan are likely to get worse after Sudanese authorities asked the Norwegian non-governmental organization that was coordinating the largest IDP camp to leave, the top United Nations relief official said today, just a few days after authorities banned him from visiting the impoverished region.
For more >>>
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
U.N. envoy: Crisis in Darfur getting worse
Fox News and Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya — The conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region has worsened, with 200,000 additional people being forced from their homes, a top U.N. envoy barred from visiting the zone by Sudanese authorities said Tuesday.
Jan Egeland, U.N. under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, said Sudanese government officials had denied his U.N. aircraft permission to overfly Darfur in order to visit Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad. A day earlier, they had barred him from visiting the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region. Read more >>>
NAIROBI, Kenya — The conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region has worsened, with 200,000 additional people being forced from their homes, a top U.N. envoy barred from visiting the zone by Sudanese authorities said Tuesday.
Jan Egeland, U.N. under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, said Sudanese government officials had denied his U.N. aircraft permission to overfly Darfur in order to visit Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad. A day earlier, they had barred him from visiting the capital, Khartoum, and the Darfur region. Read more >>>
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Holocaust in Plain Sight
by Nat Hentoff
[U.N.] official Jan Pronk told the Security Council that killings, rapes and armed attacks on Darfur villagers [are being] committed by armed gangs secure in the knowledge that no one would stop or punish them.
New York Times, March 22
Long before the genocide in Sudan, I had been reporting for years in the Voice on the Sudan government's murders, gang rapes, and enslavement of black Christians and animists in the south of Sudan—and the attempts of the Boston-based American Anti-Slavery Group, black American pastors, Christian Solidarity International, and a few members of Congress to awaken this country to the horrors in Sudan. Read more >>>
[U.N.] official Jan Pronk told the Security Council that killings, rapes and armed attacks on Darfur villagers [are being] committed by armed gangs secure in the knowledge that no one would stop or punish them.
New York Times, March 22
Long before the genocide in Sudan, I had been reporting for years in the Voice on the Sudan government's murders, gang rapes, and enslavement of black Christians and animists in the south of Sudan—and the attempts of the Boston-based American Anti-Slavery Group, black American pastors, Christian Solidarity International, and a few members of Congress to awaken this country to the horrors in Sudan. Read more >>>
Gridlock on Genocide
by J. Carter Johnson
Pressure on Sudan mounts, but the killing continues in Darfur.
In Darfur, the desert of western Sudan, hideous genocide continues. A developing coalition that crosses the religious and political spectrum has lobbied hard for government bureaucracies to take action. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., recently returned from a visit to the devastated region. Still, it remains to be seen whether anyone can coax Sudan's government to stop the mass rape and murder. Read more >>>
Pressure on Sudan mounts, but the killing continues in Darfur.
In Darfur, the desert of western Sudan, hideous genocide continues. A developing coalition that crosses the religious and political spectrum has lobbied hard for government bureaucracies to take action. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., recently returned from a visit to the devastated region. Still, it remains to be seen whether anyone can coax Sudan's government to stop the mass rape and murder. Read more >>>
Monday, April 03, 2006
UN's Egeland says Sudan stops him going to Darfur
By Opheera McDoom
RUMBEK, Sudan, April 3 (Reuters) - The U.N.'s top humanitarian official in Sudan Jan Egeland said the government barred him on Monday from visiting Darfur to prevent him seeing poor conditions there.
The apparent snub comes as Sudan is under international pressure over violence in Darfur that has made aid deliveries impossible in large parts of its vast western region.
"I've been barred from going to south Darfur, west Darfur and also I have been told that I am not welcome in Khartoum," Egeland, U.N. under-secretary for humanitarian affairs, told Reuters during a visit to southern Sudan. For more click here >>>
RUMBEK, Sudan, April 3 (Reuters) - The U.N.'s top humanitarian official in Sudan Jan Egeland said the government barred him on Monday from visiting Darfur to prevent him seeing poor conditions there.
The apparent snub comes as Sudan is under international pressure over violence in Darfur that has made aid deliveries impossible in large parts of its vast western region.
"I've been barred from going to south Darfur, west Darfur and also I have been told that I am not welcome in Khartoum," Egeland, U.N. under-secretary for humanitarian affairs, told Reuters during a visit to southern Sudan. For more click here >>>
Former U.S. Marine seeks end to genocide in Darfur
By Jamie Ward
Former Marine Brian Steidle shows pictures that he took while stationed in Darfur to students in the business school Thursday night.
Yossi May • IDS
Former Marine Brian Steidle spoke of an ongoing "systematic ethnic cleansing" he witnessed in Darfur, a region in Sudan, while touring Bloomington Thursday and Friday. The events were part of the "Million Voices for Darfur" campaign.
"This is a government-sponsored military operation," Steidle said. "At its height, 9,000 to 10,000 people have died in a month and there are now nearly 2.5 to 3 million people in internally displaced persons camps. It's going on right now as we sit in this room. People are dying." Read more >>>
Former Marine Brian Steidle shows pictures that he took while stationed in Darfur to students in the business school Thursday night.
Yossi May • IDS
Former Marine Brian Steidle spoke of an ongoing "systematic ethnic cleansing" he witnessed in Darfur, a region in Sudan, while touring Bloomington Thursday and Friday. The events were part of the "Million Voices for Darfur" campaign.
"This is a government-sponsored military operation," Steidle said. "At its height, 9,000 to 10,000 people have died in a month and there are now nearly 2.5 to 3 million people in internally displaced persons camps. It's going on right now as we sit in this room. People are dying." Read more >>>
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Violations of African Union troops in Darfur
Allegations of sexual abuses, by those who are supposed to curb sexual crimes, should not be left unaccounted for.
Please listen to the silent horrors unheard by many in the following link:
http://www.channel4.com/player/playerwindow.html?id=3979&vert=news
Whatever has been done to alleviate the suffering of the innocent is highly appreciated and the least to be done is to sign the petition in the following link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/253272944?ltl=1143972683
Please listen to the silent horrors unheard by many in the following link:
http://www.channel4.com/player/playerwindow.html?id=3979&vert=news
Whatever has been done to alleviate the suffering of the innocent is highly appreciated and the least to be done is to sign the petition in the following link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/253272944?ltl=1143972683
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Sudan tragedy needs action
The tragedy in the Sudan is overwhelming. In three years, 300,000 people have been killed; more than 2 million people have been displaced. Rapes and mutilations occur daily. The United Nations describes it as the world's worst humanitarian disaster and the United States has gone so far as labeling the situation in Darfur "genocide."
Yet, little is officially being done to right the wrongs, and grassroots efforts coordinated by frustrated citizens are sprouting up.
In Poughkeepsie, Diane Browne-Sterdt, like many people throughout the country, is increasingly appalled about the atrocities occurring in the western region of the Sudan, especially after having seen the movie "Hotel Rwanda." Read the full story >>>
Yet, little is officially being done to right the wrongs, and grassroots efforts coordinated by frustrated citizens are sprouting up.
In Poughkeepsie, Diane Browne-Sterdt, like many people throughout the country, is increasingly appalled about the atrocities occurring in the western region of the Sudan, especially after having seen the movie "Hotel Rwanda." Read the full story >>>
Darfur: A peaceful option
By Kofi A. Annan
Alpha Oumar Konare
While no one knows for sure how many people have died in the conflict in Darfur, western Sudan, more than 2.6 million are suffering because of it, and urgently need assistance.
Villages have been burnt, crops uprooted, men murdered, women raped, children abducted. And 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes within Sudanese territory. Others are still at home but prevented from planting the crops on which their lives depend. If food does not soon reach them, they too will be forced to go search of it, swelling already overcrowded camps. For more >>>>
Alpha Oumar Konare
While no one knows for sure how many people have died in the conflict in Darfur, western Sudan, more than 2.6 million are suffering because of it, and urgently need assistance.
Villages have been burnt, crops uprooted, men murdered, women raped, children abducted. And 1.9 million people have been displaced from their homes within Sudanese territory. Others are still at home but prevented from planting the crops on which their lives depend. If food does not soon reach them, they too will be forced to go search of it, swelling already overcrowded camps. For more >>>>
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Bush condemns Darfur 'genocide'
Washington -
United States President George Bush on Wednesday said that "genocide has to be stopped" in western Sudan, and that involvement by Nato should send a "clear signal" of the West's intent.
In unusually candid remarks on a range of international issues, Bush answered questions after a speech on Iraq at Freedom House in the nation's capital.
"This is serious business. This is not playing a diplomatic holding game... When we say genocide, that means genocide has to be stopped," Bush said. Read the rest >>>
United States President George Bush on Wednesday said that "genocide has to be stopped" in western Sudan, and that involvement by Nato should send a "clear signal" of the West's intent.
In unusually candid remarks on a range of international issues, Bush answered questions after a speech on Iraq at Freedom House in the nation's capital.
"This is serious business. This is not playing a diplomatic holding game... When we say genocide, that means genocide has to be stopped," Bush said. Read the rest >>>
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Speaking out against genocide
Activist Brian Steidle will raise awareness of the turmoil in the Darfur region of Sudan at two local events Sunday
By Nicole Lee
What began as an assignment to document the turmoil in Darfur (an area in western Sudan, Africa) has become Brian Steidle’s mission. He now travels across the country discussing what the U.S. government has publicly called genocide in hopes of raising public awareness to stop the killing. Read more >>>
By Nicole Lee
What began as an assignment to document the turmoil in Darfur (an area in western Sudan, Africa) has become Brian Steidle’s mission. He now travels across the country discussing what the U.S. government has publicly called genocide in hopes of raising public awareness to stop the killing. Read more >>>
Rabbi Meets Genocide's General
A close-up of Sudan's chief mass murderer and his genteel, cultivated entourage
by Nat Hentoff
Refugees fleeing . . . from a village called Saleya described how nine boys were seized by the janjaweed, stripped naked and tied up, their noses and ears cut off and their eyes gouged out. They were then shot dead and left near a public well. From the continuing reports from Darfur by Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
I have wondered what it would be like to be in the presence of Sudanese president General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the apprentice Hitler of our time, who is responsible for the genocide in Darfur, which is very likely to surpass the Rwanda genocide in the number of slaughtered corpses. Rwanda's atrocities lasted less than a year, but Darfur's started in 2003, and in addition to the killings, more than 2 million black Africans have been displaced from their razed homes and villages. Click here for the full story >>>
by Nat Hentoff
Refugees fleeing . . . from a village called Saleya described how nine boys were seized by the janjaweed, stripped naked and tied up, their noses and ears cut off and their eyes gouged out. They were then shot dead and left near a public well. From the continuing reports from Darfur by Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
I have wondered what it would be like to be in the presence of Sudanese president General Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the apprentice Hitler of our time, who is responsible for the genocide in Darfur, which is very likely to surpass the Rwanda genocide in the number of slaughtered corpses. Rwanda's atrocities lasted less than a year, but Darfur's started in 2003, and in addition to the killings, more than 2 million black Africans have been displaced from their razed homes and villages. Click here for the full story >>>
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Darfur: 21st century holocaust
About half a million innocent civilians have been slaughtered over the past 3 years. Other three million have been displaced from their homes either as refugees under squalid conditions in the neighboring countries or as internally displaced persons who constantly face Khartoum regime’s abuses. Read more >>>
Conference helps to remember Holocaust
Staff Writer
This week, West Lafayette is hosting its 25th annual Holocaust Remembrance Conference, designed to educate people about the events that took place decades ago. Such remembrance conferences are important, because they help us to never forget the heinous, embarrassing parts of human history.
However, many people tend to believe that such horrible instances of genocide and ethnic cleansing are all in the past and could never happen again. So it's important to realize that, even today, millions of people are being killed in large numbers due to genocide.
For example, in Dafur, Sudan, it is estimated that about 400,000 people have lost their lives due to genocide, and thousands more are dying every month (darfurgenocide.org). About 1.3 million people in Darfur and Chad have been displaced, and many have been put in concentration camps. For more click here >>>
This week, West Lafayette is hosting its 25th annual Holocaust Remembrance Conference, designed to educate people about the events that took place decades ago. Such remembrance conferences are important, because they help us to never forget the heinous, embarrassing parts of human history.
However, many people tend to believe that such horrible instances of genocide and ethnic cleansing are all in the past and could never happen again. So it's important to realize that, even today, millions of people are being killed in large numbers due to genocide.
For example, in Dafur, Sudan, it is estimated that about 400,000 people have lost their lives due to genocide, and thousands more are dying every month (darfurgenocide.org). About 1.3 million people in Darfur and Chad have been displaced, and many have been put in concentration camps. For more click here >>>
Monday, March 27, 2006
Act now to stop the genocide in Darfur
Slaughter in Sudan must be countered before it spreads
If the world waits much longer to stop the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, there may be no one left to save.
Already, more than 400,000 black African Muslims have been slaughtered by gangs of Arab janjaweed militias, acting at the behest of the Sudanese government. Thousands more have been displaced and are now packed into disease-ridden refugee camps. Mass rapes have devastated the girls and women of Darfur. Read more >>>
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Darfur attacks overwhelm peace force, UN reports
The UN special envoy to Sudan says that violence is rising in Darfur and that lack of progress in the south is jeopardizing a peace agreement that ended a separate conflict there.
The official, Jan Pronk, told the Security Council on Tuesday that killings, rapes and armed attacks on Darfur villagers were committed by armed gangs secure in the knowledge that no one would stop or punish them. The full story >>>
The official, Jan Pronk, told the Security Council on Tuesday that killings, rapes and armed attacks on Darfur villagers were committed by armed gangs secure in the knowledge that no one would stop or punish them. The full story >>>
African church leader says Darfur can't wait 6 months for U.N. troops
by Fredrick Nzwili Ecumenical News International
NAIROBI - Sudan's deeply troubled Darfur region desperately needs a truly international peacekeeping force, and cannot wait another six months to get it, the Rev. Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, has told the African Union (AU).
Dandala charged that the AU peacekeepers there too often defer to the wishes of Khartoum.
"Like the rest of the world, we are appalled by the horrendous, disturbing and continuing loss of human life and livelihoods in Darfur," Dandala said in a March 23 letter to AU Chairman Denis Sassou-Nguesso, the president of Congo Brazzaville, and Omar Konari, chairman of the African Commission. Read more >>>
NAIROBI - Sudan's deeply troubled Darfur region desperately needs a truly international peacekeeping force, and cannot wait another six months to get it, the Rev. Mvume Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, has told the African Union (AU).
Dandala charged that the AU peacekeepers there too often defer to the wishes of Khartoum.
"Like the rest of the world, we are appalled by the horrendous, disturbing and continuing loss of human life and livelihoods in Darfur," Dandala said in a March 23 letter to AU Chairman Denis Sassou-Nguesso, the president of Congo Brazzaville, and Omar Konari, chairman of the African Commission. Read more >>>
Saturday, March 25, 2006
UNSC authorises Darfur peacekeeping plan
The United Nations Security Council has authorised preparations for the deployment of a peacekeeping mission in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, asks the Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to prepare a range of options for a UN operation in Darfur.
The full story >>>
Continue to write about Darfur crisis
Billy Thompson
Boca Raton
The humanitarian issue of Darfur is a crisis that has reached epic proportions. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, along with President Bush, has declared this to be modern-day genocide. Read more >>>
Boca Raton
The humanitarian issue of Darfur is a crisis that has reached epic proportions. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, along with President Bush, has declared this to be modern-day genocide. Read more >>>
Friday, March 24, 2006
Never again...for the fourth time
By: Michelle Singerman
The genocide in Darfur is escalating. To date, the number of murders is estimated at 400,000 people with another three million displaced.
International governments' continued failed responses contribute to the climbing casualties. Similar to previous genocides, nations around the world have blinders on, and focus only on their internal affairs. The world's inaction has permitted the perpetrators to continue achieving their genocidal intent. The full story >>>
The genocide in Darfur is escalating. To date, the number of murders is estimated at 400,000 people with another three million displaced.
International governments' continued failed responses contribute to the climbing casualties. Similar to previous genocides, nations around the world have blinders on, and focus only on their internal affairs. The world's inaction has permitted the perpetrators to continue achieving their genocidal intent. The full story >>>
Stop another holocaust
Close to a million people were killed in Rwanda in 1994 when the dominant Hutus turned against the Tutsis. The slaughter that went unchecked should have ensured that at the first signs of genocide the United Nations would act to prevent yet another human tragedy.
Not so. Genocide has been proceeding in the Darfur region of Sudan as if there had never been a commitment by the international community to make the vow "Never Again," after the Jewish Holocaust, mean something. To date, the United Nations has shrunk from its responsibility to intervene and the United States, overstretched in Afghanistan and Iraq, is in no position to act unilaterally. Read the entire editorial >>
Not so. Genocide has been proceeding in the Darfur region of Sudan as if there had never been a commitment by the international community to make the vow "Never Again," after the Jewish Holocaust, mean something. To date, the United Nations has shrunk from its responsibility to intervene and the United States, overstretched in Afghanistan and Iraq, is in no position to act unilaterally. Read the entire editorial >>
Thursday, March 23, 2006
UN: 'Darfur is unravelling'
Brussels -
Sudan's strife-torn region of Darfur is unravelling and two million people there are increasingly vulnerable to human rights abuse, the UN envoy on genocide warned on Wednesday.
"No one disputes that the situation on the ground is unravelling, it's getting worse," Juan Mendez, special adviser to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the prevention of genocide, said.
"The almost two million Darfurians who were vulnerable to human rights violations are more vulnerable now than they were a year ago," he said. The full story >>>
Sudan's strife-torn region of Darfur is unravelling and two million people there are increasingly vulnerable to human rights abuse, the UN envoy on genocide warned on Wednesday.
"No one disputes that the situation on the ground is unravelling, it's getting worse," Juan Mendez, special adviser to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the prevention of genocide, said.
"The almost two million Darfurians who were vulnerable to human rights violations are more vulnerable now than they were a year ago," he said. The full story >>>
Darfur: Increasing violence forcing international humanitarian agencies to withdraw
International humanitarian agencies may be forced to withdraw from Darfur because of an escalation in violence, GOAL warned today.
Hot on the heels of a UN report outlining a sharp deterioration in the security situation in the troubled Sudanese province, GOAL's CEO, John O'Shea, warned:
"The world may soon witness another Rwanda-style genocide." Click here for more >>
Hot on the heels of a UN report outlining a sharp deterioration in the security situation in the troubled Sudanese province, GOAL's CEO, John O'Shea, warned:
"The world may soon witness another Rwanda-style genocide." Click here for more >>
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The silence of bystanders
By Nicholas D. Kristof is a New York Times columnist.
I saw a lot of heartbreak on my latest visit to the fringes of Darfur: two orphan boys living under a tree after their family was murdered, a 13-year-old girl shot in the chest and a six-year-old boy trying desperately not to cry as doctors treated shrapnel wounds to his leg. But the face of genocide I found most searing belonged to Idris Ismael, a 32-year-old Chadian. Idris said that a Sudan-sponsored Janjaweed militia had attacked his village, Damri, that very morning. He had managed to run away. But his wife, Halima, eight months pregnant, could only hobble. And so she was still in the village, along with their four children, ages 3 to 12. ''The village is surrounded by Janjaweed, with civilians inside,'' Idris said. ''There's no way for people to escape. The Janjaweed will kill all the men, women and children, take all our blankets and other property, and then burn our homes. They will kill every last person. The Janjaweed will rape and kill my family, and there's nothing I can do.'' The full story >>>
I saw a lot of heartbreak on my latest visit to the fringes of Darfur: two orphan boys living under a tree after their family was murdered, a 13-year-old girl shot in the chest and a six-year-old boy trying desperately not to cry as doctors treated shrapnel wounds to his leg. But the face of genocide I found most searing belonged to Idris Ismael, a 32-year-old Chadian. Idris said that a Sudan-sponsored Janjaweed militia had attacked his village, Damri, that very morning. He had managed to run away. But his wife, Halima, eight months pregnant, could only hobble. And so she was still in the village, along with their four children, ages 3 to 12. ''The village is surrounded by Janjaweed, with civilians inside,'' Idris said. ''There's no way for people to escape. The Janjaweed will kill all the men, women and children, take all our blankets and other property, and then burn our homes. They will kill every last person. The Janjaweed will rape and kill my family, and there's nothing I can do.'' The full story >>>
Hillary Clinton to Bush: Send Military to Darfur
2008 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, who says she was misled into voting for military intervention in Iraq, now wants the U.S. Air Force to lead an international coalition to stop the genocide in Darfur.
Mrs. Clinton, whose husband did nothing to stop the 1994 Rwandan genocide, sent a letter to Bush on Thursday where she urges:
"The United States can and must do more." Clinton then adds helpfully: "Below are 13 ways in which you can take action." Read more >>>
Mrs. Clinton, whose husband did nothing to stop the 1994 Rwandan genocide, sent a letter to Bush on Thursday where she urges:
"The United States can and must do more." Clinton then adds helpfully: "Below are 13 ways in which you can take action." Read more >>>
Darfur genocide demands immediate global attention
By Brandon Guichard, regular columnist
In 2004, Colin Powell called the turmoil in Darfur the “worst humanitarian crisis” we face today. Two years later, and the issue hasn’t moved from the back burner of either American or international politics. Thus far, the global reaction to the chaos in Sudan’s southwest province of Darfur has consisted of little more than sympathetic rhetoric and talk of action. The failure, humanities failure, to respond has been recently described as a challenge to “the conscience of our country” and of the world. Read more >>>
In 2004, Colin Powell called the turmoil in Darfur the “worst humanitarian crisis” we face today. Two years later, and the issue hasn’t moved from the back burner of either American or international politics. Thus far, the global reaction to the chaos in Sudan’s southwest province of Darfur has consisted of little more than sympathetic rhetoric and talk of action. The failure, humanities failure, to respond has been recently described as a challenge to “the conscience of our country” and of the world. Read more >>>
Monday, March 20, 2006
Darfur: Rape; Attempted Rape; Risk of Death Penalty
SOAT
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
On 07 March 2005, two armed militias in military uniform attacked four girls from Seraif IDP camp, Hay AlGeer, West Nyala, Southern Darfur. The girls were attacked whilst collecting firewood outside the camp at 11:30. During the attack, one of the men assaulted one of the girls and attempted to rape her. The armed man touched the girl’s breasts and attempted to forcefully remove her underwear. When she resisted, the man began to beat her. In defence she grabbed a knife that she had been using to cut the firewood and stabbed the attacker in the stomach. The details of the girls are as follows: Read the details >>>
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
On 07 March 2005, two armed militias in military uniform attacked four girls from Seraif IDP camp, Hay AlGeer, West Nyala, Southern Darfur. The girls were attacked whilst collecting firewood outside the camp at 11:30. During the attack, one of the men assaulted one of the girls and attempted to rape her. The armed man touched the girl’s breasts and attempted to forcefully remove her underwear. When she resisted, the man began to beat her. In defence she grabbed a knife that she had been using to cut the firewood and stabbed the attacker in the stomach. The details of the girls are as follows: Read the details >>>
Darfur: Attacks on Tibon IDP camp and Villages in Jebel Marra
SOAT
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
On 15 March 2006, armed forces with land cruisers and armed militias on horses and camels, allegedly the Janjaweed militias numbering more than 900 attacked and looted Tibon IDP camp in Jebel Marra, West Darfur. The militias also attacked three other villages on the same day, Daya, Turra and Kindo in Jebel Marra. During the attack, approximately 26 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were killed and 6 wounded. The injured IDPs have not been able to receive medical treatment. There are currently no medical clinics in Jebel Marra due to the departure of humanitarian organizations in February 2005 on account of the deterioration in the security situation in the area.
The details of the persons killed and wounded are as follows: Read the full details >>>
Sudan Organisation Against Torture
On 15 March 2006, armed forces with land cruisers and armed militias on horses and camels, allegedly the Janjaweed militias numbering more than 900 attacked and looted Tibon IDP camp in Jebel Marra, West Darfur. The militias also attacked three other villages on the same day, Daya, Turra and Kindo in Jebel Marra. During the attack, approximately 26 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were killed and 6 wounded. The injured IDPs have not been able to receive medical treatment. There are currently no medical clinics in Jebel Marra due to the departure of humanitarian organizations in February 2005 on account of the deterioration in the security situation in the area.
The details of the persons killed and wounded are as follows: Read the full details >>>
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Tied to terror?
W.Va. pensions find way to rogue regimes
By Joe Morris
West Virginia’s public pensions may have hundreds of millions of dollars invested in companies doing business with terrorist-sponsoring countries.
According to an analysis conducted for the Sunday Gazette-Mail, 55 stocks in state pension portfolios belong to companies that have ties to the governments of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.
The U.S. State Department has designated all these countries as state sponsors of terrorism and barred U.S. businesses from conducting operations there, but foreign companies are under no such constraints. Read more >>>
By Joe Morris
West Virginia’s public pensions may have hundreds of millions of dollars invested in companies doing business with terrorist-sponsoring countries.
According to an analysis conducted for the Sunday Gazette-Mail, 55 stocks in state pension portfolios belong to companies that have ties to the governments of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.
The U.S. State Department has designated all these countries as state sponsors of terrorism and barred U.S. businesses from conducting operations there, but foreign companies are under no such constraints. Read more >>>
Senior US Congresswoman Calls for End to Darfur Genocide
By Catherine Maddux
Washington
U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who recently returned from a fact-finding mission to Sudan's conflict-ridden Darfur region, has made a strong appeal for an end to what she called the "genocide" in Darfur. Ms. Pelosi called for the appointment of a U.S. envoy for Sudan.
Congresswoman Pelosi recently led a congressional delegation to Darfur. In remarks Friday, she described the devastating conditions for tens-of-thousands of displaced people in the region. The full story >>>
Washington
U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who recently returned from a fact-finding mission to Sudan's conflict-ridden Darfur region, has made a strong appeal for an end to what she called the "genocide" in Darfur. Ms. Pelosi called for the appointment of a U.S. envoy for Sudan.
Congresswoman Pelosi recently led a congressional delegation to Darfur. In remarks Friday, she described the devastating conditions for tens-of-thousands of displaced people in the region. The full story >>>
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Sudan facing fresh charges of genocide in Darfur
SUDANESE government forces massacred their own citizens in a mosque in Darfur, according to fresh evidence presented by the African Union.
The AU, which is attempting to keep the peace in the devastated region, sent monitors to the town of Tawilla to investigate reports of a massacre last September.
A confidential AU report, obtained by The Scotsman, reveals that four people were killed and 24 injured.
It came to light as human rights organisations criticised the Sudanese government for its continued attempts to prevent the United Nations from taking over the peacekeeping role in Darfur, where upwards of 400,000 people are believed to have been killed in genocidal attacks. Read more >>>
The AU, which is attempting to keep the peace in the devastated region, sent monitors to the town of Tawilla to investigate reports of a massacre last September.
A confidential AU report, obtained by The Scotsman, reveals that four people were killed and 24 injured.
It came to light as human rights organisations criticised the Sudanese government for its continued attempts to prevent the United Nations from taking over the peacekeeping role in Darfur, where upwards of 400,000 people are believed to have been killed in genocidal attacks. Read more >>>
Friday, March 17, 2006
DARFUR: UN REPORTS DEADLY ATTACKS IN WEST
The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has announced that it has received various reports about a series of deadly attacks in West Darfur over the past week. Around 1,000 unidentified militants, travelling in motor vehicles and on camels and horses, reportedly attacked a village and killed eight people and stole livestock, the UN said in a statment released at its New York headquarters. Full story >>>
Darfur ceasefire crumbling, wider crisis looms
(CWNews.com) - The International Crisis Group, a global conflict watch group, has said the Darfur ceasefire is in tatters, and described the international strategy for dealing with the crisis through the small Africa Union Mission on Sudan as having reached a the dead end. Read more >>>
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Raising a Million Voices for Darfur
By Christopher Hayes
Aerial photos from Darfur show the scope of devastation.
Right now, hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the Sudanese government’s genocide in Darfur are packed into camps along both sides of the border with Chad. Mortality rates inside the camps are already shockingly high, since the Sudanese government restricts the amount of food aid groups can bring in. Recent reports indicate that the Janjaweed—the Arab militias who have carried out much of the genocide in the region—are now crossing into Chad along with Sudanese troops to attack the camps and villages. All this comes despite the presence of 7,000 African Union troops and a putative ceasefire. Read more >>>
Darfur, more than a conflict
It is genocide.î That is, at least, how Mukesh Kapila, the outgoing UN humanitarian coordinator in Khartoum, describes the fighting in the Darfur region of western Sudan.
"The only difference between Rwanda and Darfur now is the numbers involved,î says Mukesh Kapila, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, who was in Rwanda when the 1994 genocide occurred. Read more >>>
"The only difference between Rwanda and Darfur now is the numbers involved,î says Mukesh Kapila, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, who was in Rwanda when the 1994 genocide occurred. Read more >>>
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Women in Darfur Look to ICC
The court may offer the only hope for many rape victims to see justice done.
By Christine Butegwa in Nairobi
If you are a woman in the Darfur region of Sudan who has been raped and you want to lay a charge, it is virtually certain that legal officers will automatically reduce your allegation to one of assault. If you persevere with your rape accusation, you will be told to do the impossible and provide four male witnesses to support your charge.
As a result, sexual violence goes almost totally unpunished and is one of the biggest violations of women's rights in Darfur. It is why members of
the Darfur Consortium, a group of African civil society and women's rights organisations, have high hopes that the new International Criminal Court in The Hague will be able to change the situation. Read more >>>
By Christine Butegwa in Nairobi
If you are a woman in the Darfur region of Sudan who has been raped and you want to lay a charge, it is virtually certain that legal officers will automatically reduce your allegation to one of assault. If you persevere with your rape accusation, you will be told to do the impossible and provide four male witnesses to support your charge.
As a result, sexual violence goes almost totally unpunished and is one of the biggest violations of women's rights in Darfur. It is why members of
the Darfur Consortium, a group of African civil society and women's rights organisations, have high hopes that the new International Criminal Court in The Hague will be able to change the situation. Read more >>>
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
U.N. Says Thousands in Darfur Have No Food
U.N. Official: Violence Leaves Thousands in Darfur Without Food and Facing Death and Disease
Increasing violence has left hundreds of thousands of civilians in Sudan's Darfur region without food and facing the prospect of widespread disease and death within weeks, the U.N. humanitarian chief said Monday.
Jan Egeland said he fears that Darfur is returning to "the abyss" of early 2004 when the region was "the killing fields of this world." Since that time, he said, the U.N. humanitarian operation in the region has succeeded in saving lives. The full story >>>
Increasing violence has left hundreds of thousands of civilians in Sudan's Darfur region without food and facing the prospect of widespread disease and death within weeks, the U.N. humanitarian chief said Monday.
Jan Egeland said he fears that Darfur is returning to "the abyss" of early 2004 when the region was "the killing fields of this world." Since that time, he said, the U.N. humanitarian operation in the region has succeeded in saving lives. The full story >>>
Monday, March 13, 2006
Bad to Worse in Darfur
by Eric Reeves
If you thought the situation in Darfur couldn't get any more dire, think again. True, things are already terrible: Some 400,000 Darfuris have perished; more than two million have been driven from their homes to squalid and dangerous camps; and the United Nations estimates that altogether roughly four million people in the region need humanitarian assistance. Click here for the full story >>>
If you thought the situation in Darfur couldn't get any more dire, think again. True, things are already terrible: Some 400,000 Darfuris have perished; more than two million have been driven from their homes to squalid and dangerous camps; and the United Nations estimates that altogether roughly four million people in the region need humanitarian assistance. Click here for the full story >>>
Bush's turn on genocide: He has a chance to succeed where Clinton failed
Survivors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide often recall that when the killing started they comforted themselves with the belief that the nations of world, led by the United States, would come to their rescue.
But the nations never came. They stood by, eyes wide open, as a militant Hutu government systematically slaughtered nearly a million members of the Tutsi minority and Hutu moderates. The United States, under President Clinton, had full knowledge of the machete-wielding militias that were killing an average of 8,000 Rwandans daily and even had intelligence information that could have stopped the mass killings before they began. Yet Clinton did nothing and even worked to block the United Nations from sending additional peacekeeping troops.
Twelve years later, the people of Darfur are wondering when the nations of the world, led by the United States, will come to their rescue. Read the full editorial >>
But the nations never came. They stood by, eyes wide open, as a militant Hutu government systematically slaughtered nearly a million members of the Tutsi minority and Hutu moderates. The United States, under President Clinton, had full knowledge of the machete-wielding militias that were killing an average of 8,000 Rwandans daily and even had intelligence information that could have stopped the mass killings before they began. Yet Clinton did nothing and even worked to block the United Nations from sending additional peacekeeping troops.
Twelve years later, the people of Darfur are wondering when the nations of the world, led by the United States, will come to their rescue. Read the full editorial >>
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Darfur's turn for the worse
The African Union votes Friday on whether to let the UN take command of its military forces in Darfur.
By Dan Morrison | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
NYALA, SUDAN – The situation in Sudan's Darfur region, already considered to be the world's most complex humanitarian emergency, is expected to worsen this year before it gets any better.
Troubles are mounting on many fronts. Attacks on non-Arab villagers by Arab militias continue. Aid workers say their stores of grain and other essentials for the region's 2.8 million people who rely on food aid are nearly depleted. The conflict has spread into neighboring Chad. The full story >>>
Massacres suspect let into Britain
By Hala Jaber
A SENIOR Sudanese security official blamed for massacres in the Darfur region of the country was allowed into Britain for medical treatment last week.
Salah Abdallah Gosh, director of the national security and intelligence service in Khartoum, obtained a British visa even though a United Nations panel has recommended that he and 16 other officials be banned from travelling abroad.The rest of the story >>>
A SENIOR Sudanese security official blamed for massacres in the Darfur region of the country was allowed into Britain for medical treatment last week.
Salah Abdallah Gosh, director of the national security and intelligence service in Khartoum, obtained a British visa even though a United Nations panel has recommended that he and 16 other officials be banned from travelling abroad.The rest of the story >>>
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Rural populations at risk as Darfur violence escalates
Source: IRIN
NYALA, 9 March (IRIN) - As the security situation throughout Darfur deteriorates, the civilian population - especially in rural areas - continues to suffer the brunt of the violence.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), around 1.7 million people in rural communities and host populations are either sharing dwindling resources with those who have been displaced or suffered loss of livelihoods due to social and economic collapse. The entire story >>>
NYALA, 9 March (IRIN) - As the security situation throughout Darfur deteriorates, the civilian population - especially in rural areas - continues to suffer the brunt of the violence.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), around 1.7 million people in rural communities and host populations are either sharing dwindling resources with those who have been displaced or suffered loss of livelihoods due to social and economic collapse. The entire story >>>
Stunning photographs show the horror of genocide in Darfur
Former U.S. monitor is touring Bay Area to appeal for action
Jim Doyle, Chronicle Staff Writer
Brian Steidle, a former Marine captain, enjoyed photography as a lark. Then he began shooting images of genocide in Sudan. Now he recalls the awful buzz of flies in a village that was looted and burned after its inhabitants were killed.
As a U.S. representative to the African Union peacekeeping mission, Steidle had access to certain areas of Sudan's troubled Darfur provinces that are restricted to journalists. The Sudanese government reluctantly allowed him to be a witness.The full story >>>
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
U.S. must work to halt Darfur genocide
By Michael Capuano
We look back on the Holocaust and wonder how the world stood by while 6 million Jews were slaughtered. Never again, we pledged. Yet in 1994, 1 million Rwandans were massacred. Afterward, we declared it genocide and pledged never again. Many leaders later expressed deep regret over our inaction. The rest of the picture >>>
We look back on the Holocaust and wonder how the world stood by while 6 million Jews were slaughtered. Never again, we pledged. Yet in 1994, 1 million Rwandans were massacred. Afterward, we declared it genocide and pledged never again. Many leaders later expressed deep regret over our inaction. The rest of the picture >>>
As Rainy Season Nears, Darfur Faces "Perfect Storm" of Human Destruction
Collapsing security, funding shortfalls, humanitarian evacuations, growing violence in Chad, looming war in Eastern Sudan---and political dithering by international community
Eric Reeves
The Economist (UK) began a recent news analysis with an appropriately blunt question:
“The mayhem in Darfur, in western Sudan, where some 400,000 people may have been killed and 2 million-plus displaced, is worsening. The misery is spreading west into neighbouring Chad, unhinging that country and threatening a proxy war with Sudan. What can be done?” (“Chaos in western Sudan is threatening to engulf neighboring Chad” [dateline: N’Djamena, Chad], The Economist, March 2, 2006). The full story >>>
Eric Reeves
The Economist (UK) began a recent news analysis with an appropriately blunt question:
“The mayhem in Darfur, in western Sudan, where some 400,000 people may have been killed and 2 million-plus displaced, is worsening. The misery is spreading west into neighbouring Chad, unhinging that country and threatening a proxy war with Sudan. What can be done?” (“Chaos in western Sudan is threatening to engulf neighboring Chad” [dateline: N’Djamena, Chad], The Economist, March 2, 2006). The full story >>>
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Groups threatening U.N. and U.S. interests in Sudan
Sudanese students demonstrate, reject U.N. troops07 Mar 2006 13:27:20 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Opheera McDoom and Jilan Sherif
KHARTOUM, March 7 (Reuters) - About 200 Sudanese students demonstrated on Tuesday urging the United Nations to leave their country and calling it a colonial force, days ahead of a decision to deploy U.N. troops to the violent Darfur region.
Tuesday's protest outside the U.S. embassy in Khartoum followed unconfirmed reports in a pro-government newspaper of new Islamist groups threatening U.N. and U.S. interests in Sudan, and rejecting the presence of any U.N. soldiers in Darfur. Full story >>>>
Source: Reuters
By Opheera McDoom and Jilan Sherif
KHARTOUM, March 7 (Reuters) - About 200 Sudanese students demonstrated on Tuesday urging the United Nations to leave their country and calling it a colonial force, days ahead of a decision to deploy U.N. troops to the violent Darfur region.
Tuesday's protest outside the U.S. embassy in Khartoum followed unconfirmed reports in a pro-government newspaper of new Islamist groups threatening U.N. and U.S. interests in Sudan, and rejecting the presence of any U.N. soldiers in Darfur. Full story >>>>
Darfur's Genocide Continues; The World Dawdles
By Lawrence Uniglicht
The human species, bereft of soul, vacillates as Arab janjaweed Muslim monsters, at the behest of a fascist Wahhabi driven fanatical Sudanese government, perpetrate genocide on helpless Black African Muslims within the hellhole Darfur region of Sudan, a fundamentally flawed fossil fuel drenched savage Islamic sovereignty, led by the aforementioned sadistic racist psychopaths, hellacious robed hindquarters cynically squatting on the ‘oil for food’ scandalized Kofi Annan led Kafkaesque United Nation’s Commission on Human Rights. Shame on the swaggering White House Texan for talking the talk, yet not bullying enough boots on the ground to walk the merciful walk ceasing a horrific abomination. Shame on sanctimonious feel-no-guilt first world governments, unmoved to end this out of sight out of mind replay of the Rwandan bloodbath; especially U.N. Security Council stalwarts China, coincidentally a Sudanese oil customer, Russia, and current Arab council representative Qatar; enamored by Sudan’s low life lobbying efforts thus opposed to any beefed up deployment of U.N. troops that just might stop the bleeding. The rest of the story >>
The human species, bereft of soul, vacillates as Arab janjaweed Muslim monsters, at the behest of a fascist Wahhabi driven fanatical Sudanese government, perpetrate genocide on helpless Black African Muslims within the hellhole Darfur region of Sudan, a fundamentally flawed fossil fuel drenched savage Islamic sovereignty, led by the aforementioned sadistic racist psychopaths, hellacious robed hindquarters cynically squatting on the ‘oil for food’ scandalized Kofi Annan led Kafkaesque United Nation’s Commission on Human Rights. Shame on the swaggering White House Texan for talking the talk, yet not bullying enough boots on the ground to walk the merciful walk ceasing a horrific abomination. Shame on sanctimonious feel-no-guilt first world governments, unmoved to end this out of sight out of mind replay of the Rwandan bloodbath; especially U.N. Security Council stalwarts China, coincidentally a Sudanese oil customer, Russia, and current Arab council representative Qatar; enamored by Sudan’s low life lobbying efforts thus opposed to any beefed up deployment of U.N. troops that just might stop the bleeding. The rest of the story >>
Monday, March 06, 2006
UN Envoy Urges Darfur War Crimes Prosecution
By Noel King
Khartoum
A top United Nation's envoy to Sudan has charged that little is being done to prosecute suspected criminals of war in the war-torn western Darfur region, and says worsening security is perpetuating human rights abuses. Sima Samar says that human rights abuses persist throughout Sudan, including arbitrary arrests and torture.
Amid increasing violence in Darfur, the United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur to Sudan says that there has been little accountability for war crimes in the region, and suggests that Sudanese courts set up to try war criminals have failed to do the job. For the full story, click here >>>
Khartoum
A top United Nation's envoy to Sudan has charged that little is being done to prosecute suspected criminals of war in the war-torn western Darfur region, and says worsening security is perpetuating human rights abuses. Sima Samar says that human rights abuses persist throughout Sudan, including arbitrary arrests and torture.
Amid increasing violence in Darfur, the United Nations Human Rights Rapporteur to Sudan says that there has been little accountability for war crimes in the region, and suggests that Sudanese courts set up to try war criminals have failed to do the job. For the full story, click here >>>
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Killing worsens in Darfur as media attention fades
By Fred Bridgland in Johannesburg
ETHNIC cleansing in the remote Darfur region of Sudan – which many human rights groups say amounts to genocide – has all but slid off the international media radar in recent months. But as the news coverage has faded, the suffering and oppression of ordinary Darfurians has steadily worsened.
The crackdown by Sudan’s Arab government in Khartoum on its fellow Muslims in Darfur – who are ethnically black Africans – is now so tyrannical that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan last week wrote to the United States ambassador to the UN asking for air support to counter government-backed militias creating mayhem in Darfur. For more click here >>>
ETHNIC cleansing in the remote Darfur region of Sudan – which many human rights groups say amounts to genocide – has all but slid off the international media radar in recent months. But as the news coverage has faded, the suffering and oppression of ordinary Darfurians has steadily worsened.
The crackdown by Sudan’s Arab government in Khartoum on its fellow Muslims in Darfur – who are ethnically black Africans – is now so tyrannical that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan last week wrote to the United States ambassador to the UN asking for air support to counter government-backed militias creating mayhem in Darfur. For more click here >>>
Darfur Refugee Crisis Deepens As Security Council Deadlocked
By Jeremy Bransten, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
The humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan's Darfur province -- one of the world's most pressing refugee crises -- is deepening and spreading across the border to Chad. But the UN Security Council, which is discussing the issue this week, remains deadlocked over what to do. Click here for the full story >>>
The humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan's Darfur province -- one of the world's most pressing refugee crises -- is deepening and spreading across the border to Chad. But the UN Security Council, which is discussing the issue this week, remains deadlocked over what to do. Click here for the full story >>>
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Worse than a FEMA trailer
Times are hard, no doubt about it, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
But it could be worse.
We could be living in the Darfur region of Sudan, where women are raped while getting firewood and at least 200,000 people, many of them Christians, have been killed. Two million more are displaced, living in squalid refugee camps.
Children are being forced into slavery. It is an international nightmare.
Half of the region's 6 million people rely on outside assistance for food.
The Darfur crisis has been bumped off the world stage, by a mushbrained world worried about the latest Britney Spears brouhaha and the pontifications of George Clooney. Full story >>>
But it could be worse.
We could be living in the Darfur region of Sudan, where women are raped while getting firewood and at least 200,000 people, many of them Christians, have been killed. Two million more are displaced, living in squalid refugee camps.
Children are being forced into slavery. It is an international nightmare.
Half of the region's 6 million people rely on outside assistance for food.
The Darfur crisis has been bumped off the world stage, by a mushbrained world worried about the latest Britney Spears brouhaha and the pontifications of George Clooney. Full story >>>
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Many lives at stake
EDITORIAL
Our position: NATO forces are needed in Darfur now to try to stop the genocide.
At least 200,000 men, women and children have died in the Darfur region of Sudan in the past three years, the victims of what the United States has rightly labeled genocide. The toll will keep climbing if the world does not do more to stop the carnage.
It was heartening that President George W. Bush, in a recent visit to Central Florida, called for more international action in Darfur, and for NATO to take a leading role.
Sudan's government has responded ruthlessly to a rebellion in Darfur, backing Arab militias that have burned, raped and killed their way through villages in the region. More than 2 million people have been driven from their homes. For the full story click here >>>
Our position: NATO forces are needed in Darfur now to try to stop the genocide.
At least 200,000 men, women and children have died in the Darfur region of Sudan in the past three years, the victims of what the United States has rightly labeled genocide. The toll will keep climbing if the world does not do more to stop the carnage.
It was heartening that President George W. Bush, in a recent visit to Central Florida, called for more international action in Darfur, and for NATO to take a leading role.
Sudan's government has responded ruthlessly to a rebellion in Darfur, backing Arab militias that have burned, raped and killed their way through villages in the region. More than 2 million people have been driven from their homes. For the full story click here >>>
Friday, February 24, 2006
The Sudan & The Darfur
[from CAQ #78]
By:Gillian Lusk
And they keep on dying. Over a year since Sudan’s Islamist1 government began slaughtering its own citizens in the remote western region of Darfur, those citizens continue to be killed by a government that claims to represent them. In April 2004, many people marked the commemoration of the Rwandan genocide of April 1994 by saying “Never again!” Yet Darfur’s genocide is still underway.2
Among those warning that “Rwanda in slow motion” was taking place were Sudanese, journalists, human rights activists and the Canadian General Roméo Dallaire, who had helplessly watched his own United Nations troops helplessly watching Rwanda’s genocide unfold.3 Also among them was the man who had headed the U.N. Peacekeeping Operations Department at that terrible time and who is now head of the entire U.N. machine, Kofi Annan.4 For more click here >>>
By:Gillian Lusk
And they keep on dying. Over a year since Sudan’s Islamist1 government began slaughtering its own citizens in the remote western region of Darfur, those citizens continue to be killed by a government that claims to represent them. In April 2004, many people marked the commemoration of the Rwandan genocide of April 1994 by saying “Never again!” Yet Darfur’s genocide is still underway.2
Among those warning that “Rwanda in slow motion” was taking place were Sudanese, journalists, human rights activists and the Canadian General Roméo Dallaire, who had helplessly watched his own United Nations troops helplessly watching Rwanda’s genocide unfold.3 Also among them was the man who had headed the U.N. Peacekeeping Operations Department at that terrible time and who is now head of the entire U.N. machine, Kofi Annan.4 For more click here >>>
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Darfur issue presents chance to think globally
by Carlo Romero
Someone tell Kanye West: George Bush does care about black people.
So does U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, actor Don Cheadle, Nobel Prize-winning author Elie Wiesel, evangelist Billy Graham, actress Angelina Jolie, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, Harvard President Larry Summers, Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek and thousands of students at OU.
All these individuals comprise a growing coalition calling for an international intervention to stop the genocide that has been taking place since 2003 in Darfur, Sudan. Click here for the rest of the story >>>
Someone tell Kanye West: George Bush does care about black people.
So does U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, actor Don Cheadle, Nobel Prize-winning author Elie Wiesel, evangelist Billy Graham, actress Angelina Jolie, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, Harvard President Larry Summers, Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek and thousands of students at OU.
All these individuals comprise a growing coalition calling for an international intervention to stop the genocide that has been taking place since 2003 in Darfur, Sudan. Click here for the rest of the story >>>
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Living a restricted life in Darfur
Source: IRIN
KABKABIYA, 22 February (IRIN) - On the plains of Kabkabiya town in North Darfur, numerous abandoned villages dot the empty landscape. Their burned remains bear witness to the escalation of the Darfur conflict in 2003.
"When the conflict began here," said a community leader who requested anonymity, "the Janjawid [militias] attacked the villages around Kabkabiya, especially to the east and south. They killed many people, took their animals and destroyed their belongings." For the entire picture >>>
KABKABIYA, 22 February (IRIN) - On the plains of Kabkabiya town in North Darfur, numerous abandoned villages dot the empty landscape. Their burned remains bear witness to the escalation of the Darfur conflict in 2003.
"When the conflict began here," said a community leader who requested anonymity, "the Janjawid [militias] attacked the villages around Kabkabiya, especially to the east and south. They killed many people, took their animals and destroyed their belongings." For the entire picture >>>
Darfur crisis deepening, says Benn
On a visit to Sudan, the international development secretary said the situation in Darfur is worsening.
Hilary Benn was in the region on Wednesday, where he inspected the situation on the ground for the second time in eight months.
The cabinet minister told the BBC that, following the fallout from the refugee crisis sparked by civil war, security had got worse in the intervening period. Read more >>>
Hilary Benn was in the region on Wednesday, where he inspected the situation on the ground for the second time in eight months.
The cabinet minister told the BBC that, following the fallout from the refugee crisis sparked by civil war, security had got worse in the intervening period. Read more >>>
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Sudan hindering peace mission in Darfur
AU says Sudan curfew hinders peace force in Darfur
By Opheera McDoom
EL-FASHER, Sudan, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Sudan is hindering an African Union peace mission's ability to monitor a tentative truce in the Darfur region by imposing a curfew and restricting airport access, the head of the mission said on Tuesday. For the full story, click here >>>
By Opheera McDoom
EL-FASHER, Sudan, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Sudan is hindering an African Union peace mission's ability to monitor a tentative truce in the Darfur region by imposing a curfew and restricting airport access, the head of the mission said on Tuesday. For the full story, click here >>>
Rhetoric isn't ending the killing in Darfur
By Rabbi Rudin
RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
Never Again!" is a well-worn mantra invoked by many people when they remember the mass murder of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust. The phrase is meant to indicate that we have learned the disastrous effects of remaining silent or indifferent in the face of genocide, the systematic killing of an entire people.
But have we truly learned such a lesson? Or is "Never Again!" rhetorical comfort food for our souls? Somewhere in the answers to those questions must come a mention of Darfur, a region about the size of France that is in the African nation of Sudan. Click here for the rest of the story >>
RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
Never Again!" is a well-worn mantra invoked by many people when they remember the mass murder of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust. The phrase is meant to indicate that we have learned the disastrous effects of remaining silent or indifferent in the face of genocide, the systematic killing of an entire people.
But have we truly learned such a lesson? Or is "Never Again!" rhetorical comfort food for our souls? Somewhere in the answers to those questions must come a mention of Darfur, a region about the size of France that is in the African nation of Sudan. Click here for the rest of the story >>
Monday, February 20, 2006
On the continuing misery in Darfur
By EMMA ELLIS
The Holocaust. Rwanda. The Armenian genocide. These words evoke thoughts of ineffable death and suffering. After these tragedies, the world vowed "never again." Genocide is a problem of the past, right? But what about Darfur? Do you even know where it is?
In Darfur people are being systematically eliminated. However, only a fraction of what could be done to help has been done. The general public is not demanding further action, but we are the very group that could make the difference.
The time is long passed when we could say that just because it isn't happening to us it is not our problem. Genocide is the world's problem. Read more >>>>
The Holocaust. Rwanda. The Armenian genocide. These words evoke thoughts of ineffable death and suffering. After these tragedies, the world vowed "never again." Genocide is a problem of the past, right? But what about Darfur? Do you even know where it is?
In Darfur people are being systematically eliminated. However, only a fraction of what could be done to help has been done. The general public is not demanding further action, but we are the very group that could make the difference.
The time is long passed when we could say that just because it isn't happening to us it is not our problem. Genocide is the world's problem. Read more >>>>
SUDAN: Tension still high in Kutum town
Source: IRIN
KUTUM, 20 February (IRIN) - At the Monday market in Kutum town, North Darfur, heavily armed Janjawid militia openly stroll between the fruit and vegetable stalls, closely watched by Sudanese soldiers.
It is the first day the market is open again after a week of unrest. Unease and fear are palpable.
On 1 February, rebels of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) killed a lieutenant of the Sudanese military in the town. In retaliation, the Janjawid militia took over the town's streets for a week, culminating in a violent assault on the local population on 6 February. Click here for the full story >>>
KUTUM, 20 February (IRIN) - At the Monday market in Kutum town, North Darfur, heavily armed Janjawid militia openly stroll between the fruit and vegetable stalls, closely watched by Sudanese soldiers.
It is the first day the market is open again after a week of unrest. Unease and fear are palpable.
On 1 February, rebels of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) killed a lieutenant of the Sudanese military in the town. In retaliation, the Janjawid militia took over the town's streets for a week, culminating in a violent assault on the local population on 6 February. Click here for the full story >>>
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Pali Students Step Up Support for Darfur
Alyson Sena , Reporter
An ongoing community effort to halt the genocide in Darfur, Africa, continues at Palisades Charter High School, where four Human Rights Watch Student Task Force groups met with Darfur activists last week. Students from four high schools joined the national Million Voices campaign to help collect one million signed postcards urging President Bush to take action.
PaliHi's HRW Student Task Force alone projected it could gather 4,760 postcards by targeting mass-attendance events at the school, doing outreach in the larger community and publicizing their mission through media and networking systems. The nationwide goal is to deliver one million postcards to the president by April 30. Click here for more >>
An ongoing community effort to halt the genocide in Darfur, Africa, continues at Palisades Charter High School, where four Human Rights Watch Student Task Force groups met with Darfur activists last week. Students from four high schools joined the national Million Voices campaign to help collect one million signed postcards urging President Bush to take action.
PaliHi's HRW Student Task Force alone projected it could gather 4,760 postcards by targeting mass-attendance events at the school, doing outreach in the larger community and publicizing their mission through media and networking systems. The nationwide goal is to deliver one million postcards to the president by April 30. Click here for more >>
Break the Silence, and Speak Up on Darfur
Burt Siegel
Many who have no idea who the 18th-century British parliamentarian and essayist Edmund Burke was are probably familiar with his observation that all that is needed for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing.
As the toll of murdered Darfurians in the nation of Sudan rises each day, I can't help think that the world has learned very little. Neither the Holocaust - in which six million Jews were killed - nor the Hutu massacre of co-religionist Catholic Tutsis, nor the murder of Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo by Eastern Orthodox Serbs or Catholic Croats seems to have reached that part of our souls where we are so horrified that we demand that steps be taken to stop another genocide.
According to estimates, since February 2003, more than 400,000 African men, women and children have died, while another 2.5 million civilians have been forced into refugee camps in Sudan and neighboring Chad. Read the full story >>
Many who have no idea who the 18th-century British parliamentarian and essayist Edmund Burke was are probably familiar with his observation that all that is needed for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing.
As the toll of murdered Darfurians in the nation of Sudan rises each day, I can't help think that the world has learned very little. Neither the Holocaust - in which six million Jews were killed - nor the Hutu massacre of co-religionist Catholic Tutsis, nor the murder of Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo by Eastern Orthodox Serbs or Catholic Croats seems to have reached that part of our souls where we are so horrified that we demand that steps be taken to stop another genocide.
According to estimates, since February 2003, more than 400,000 African men, women and children have died, while another 2.5 million civilians have been forced into refugee camps in Sudan and neighboring Chad. Read the full story >>
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
No more talk on Darfur
A Register-Guard Editorial
Two years have passed since the Bush administration first acknowledged that genocide was occurring in Sudan's Darfur region. Yet the world has done little more than talk eloquently about the suffering.
There was more talk in Washington, D.C., Monday as President Bush and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan discussed the need for an effective peacekeeping force in Darfur. Bush made no commitments of military support or additional funding. Afterward, Bush made no mention of Annan's proposal for an international mission and would only say that they'd had "a good discussion." Click here for more >>>
Two years have passed since the Bush administration first acknowledged that genocide was occurring in Sudan's Darfur region. Yet the world has done little more than talk eloquently about the suffering.
There was more talk in Washington, D.C., Monday as President Bush and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan discussed the need for an effective peacekeeping force in Darfur. Bush made no commitments of military support or additional funding. Afterward, Bush made no mention of Annan's proposal for an international mission and would only say that they'd had "a good discussion." Click here for more >>>
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Our friend, an architect of the genocide in Darfur
The U.S. sacrifices moral leadership when it cozies up to killers for snippets of counterterrorism information.
IT HAS BEEN 18 months since the United States concluded that genocide was taking place in Darfur. Yet President Bush, the only president to declare an ongoing genocide since the term was coined 50 years ago, has done little to stop this crime against humanity.
Why not? The answer may lie in the complex story of Salah Abdallah Gosh. Gosh isn't exactly a household name, but there are two groups of people for whom his name is exceedingly important: U.S. counterterrorism officials and victims of atrocities in Sudan. For the entire picture click here >>
IT HAS BEEN 18 months since the United States concluded that genocide was taking place in Darfur. Yet President Bush, the only president to declare an ongoing genocide since the term was coined 50 years ago, has done little to stop this crime against humanity.
Why not? The answer may lie in the complex story of Salah Abdallah Gosh. Gosh isn't exactly a household name, but there are two groups of people for whom his name is exceedingly important: U.S. counterterrorism officials and victims of atrocities in Sudan. For the entire picture click here >>
Monday, February 13, 2006
Stop genocide in Darfur
The Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda — if the world community could undo or at least lessen any of those historic horrors, would it?
If the answer is yes, then the world must train its energy on Darfur in Sudan, where a slaughter that President Bush called a genocide two years ago is getting worse. For the full story click here >>
If the answer is yes, then the world must train its energy on Darfur in Sudan, where a slaughter that President Bush called a genocide two years ago is getting worse. For the full story click here >>
Children of Darfur reveal their pain with pictures of rape and murder
By Kim Sengupta
Published: 13 February 2006
The images are of murder and rape, burning villages, helicopter gunships and terrified, fleeing refugees. They have been drawn by children, some as young as eight, who are victims of a wave of bloody ethnic cleansing in Darfur.
Two years after the international outcry over the man-made catastrophe in Sudan, the Janjaweed militia have returned with a vengeance, bringing death and destruction, backed by forces of the Khartoum government. Click here for the full story >>
Published: 13 February 2006
The images are of murder and rape, burning villages, helicopter gunships and terrified, fleeing refugees. They have been drawn by children, some as young as eight, who are victims of a wave of bloody ethnic cleansing in Darfur.
Two years after the international outcry over the man-made catastrophe in Sudan, the Janjaweed militia have returned with a vengeance, bringing death and destruction, backed by forces of the Khartoum government. Click here for the full story >>
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Mr. Bush and Genocide
Sunday, February 12, 2006; B06
FOR THE PAST 18 months, the Bush administration and its allies have clung to the fiction that they could stop the genocide in the Sudanese territory of Darfur by sending in African Union forces. On Thursday United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke the truth about these troops: "They didn't have the large numbers that would have been required for a region the size of Darfur. They didn't have logistical support. They didn't have the mobility, either on the ground or in the air." Mr. Annan went on to say that the U.N. force that may replace the African Union had better be "a completely different force and have a completely different concept of operation." The issue is whether President Bush, who is due to meet Mr. Annan tomorrow, is willing to hear this message. Click here for the entire story >
FOR THE PAST 18 months, the Bush administration and its allies have clung to the fiction that they could stop the genocide in the Sudanese territory of Darfur by sending in African Union forces. On Thursday United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke the truth about these troops: "They didn't have the large numbers that would have been required for a region the size of Darfur. They didn't have logistical support. They didn't have the mobility, either on the ground or in the air." Mr. Annan went on to say that the U.N. force that may replace the African Union had better be "a completely different force and have a completely different concept of operation." The issue is whether President Bush, who is due to meet Mr. Annan tomorrow, is willing to hear this message. Click here for the entire story >
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Desperation in Darfur
Can the United Nations now succeed where African peacekeepers have failed?
By Dan Morrison
NYALA, SUDAN--The murderous Janjaweed militia are camped in a dusty swirl 6 miles outside the South Darfur town of Gereida, where the 60,000 residents fear an attack could come at any moment. With armed horsemen practically on their doorstep, the women of Gereida took an unusual step--they wrote a letter swearing to rampage with knives and machetes unless a group of outsiders leaves within 72 hours. Click here for the whole story >>
Genocide is not negotiable
By John Morlino
Humanitarian aid notwithstanding, the international community has done little more than watch while the Sudanese military and its government-sponsored militias have killed 400,000 people and violently displaced 2 million more in Darfur. On top of this nightmare, women and young girls who have, thus far, survived continue to face the terrifying prospect of rape whenever they leave their refugee camps in search of firewood or water. Read the full story >>>>>>
Humanitarian aid notwithstanding, the international community has done little more than watch while the Sudanese military and its government-sponsored militias have killed 400,000 people and violently displaced 2 million more in Darfur. On top of this nightmare, women and young girls who have, thus far, survived continue to face the terrifying prospect of rape whenever they leave their refugee camps in search of firewood or water. Read the full story >>>>>>
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Bring on the blue helmets
Feb 9th 2006 | NAIROBI
From The Economist
Thousands of defenceless people in western Sudan still need protecting
SINCE the tragedy in Darfur, Sudan's western region, began three years ago, at least 200,000 people—some say more than 300,000—have died; another 2m, in a population of 6m, have been displaced, many of them fleeing across the border into Chad; peace talks in Nigeria between the rebels and the Sudanese government have stalled yet again; there is a risk of a proxy war breaking out between Chad and Sudan; and the African Union (AU), with some 7,000 ill-equipped troops, admits it cannot keep the peace. Now, belatedly, the UN is likely, as a last resort, to send blue helmets to Darfur. Click here for the full story >>>>>
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Refugee voices - Women in Kalma camp, Darfur
"Controlled anarchy" is how one humanitarian worker described Kalma camp, in South Darfur. Located 17 kilometers outside of Nyala, Kalma camp is also one of Darfur's largest, with nearly 90,000 inhabitants. Most have lived there for nearly two years, fleeing the fighting between rebel groups and government-sponsored Janjaweed militias. For more click here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Darfur is dying: save it with a video game
CMU graduate students’ video game reaches finals of mtvU competition
Justin Brown
Just a spoonful of interactive pixels helps the need for social welfare and reform go down. Such is the philosophy of the recent mtvU Darfur Digital Activist Contest. The contest, which called for groups of college students to create video games that would help increase awareness of travesties in Sudan, is in its final stages. One of the four finalists is by a group of five CMU (more specifically, Entertainment Technology Center) masters students. Click here for the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>
Justin Brown
Just a spoonful of interactive pixels helps the need for social welfare and reform go down. Such is the philosophy of the recent mtvU Darfur Digital Activist Contest. The contest, which called for groups of college students to create video games that would help increase awareness of travesties in Sudan, is in its final stages. One of the four finalists is by a group of five CMU (more specifically, Entertainment Technology Center) masters students. Click here for the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>
Monday, February 06, 2006
Will the world rescue Darfur?
February 6, 2006
The African Union sent a strong message last week to Sudan's government, and to the world, about its commitment to ending the indiscriminate violence in the country's western province of Darfur.
The 53-member union refused to elect Sudan President Omar al-Bashir as its chairman even though he was the only announced candidate. Leaders of several other African countries opposed his election because of escalating human rights abuses in Darfur.
Maybe Sudan got the message. Maybe, just maybe, the United Nations got the message too. On Friday, following the union's action, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a U.S.-sponsored motion to deploy peacekeepers to Darfur. Click here for full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The African Union sent a strong message last week to Sudan's government, and to the world, about its commitment to ending the indiscriminate violence in the country's western province of Darfur.
The 53-member union refused to elect Sudan President Omar al-Bashir as its chairman even though he was the only announced candidate. Leaders of several other African countries opposed his election because of escalating human rights abuses in Darfur.
Maybe Sudan got the message. Maybe, just maybe, the United Nations got the message too. On Friday, following the union's action, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a U.S.-sponsored motion to deploy peacekeepers to Darfur. Click here for full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Silent terror of the Darfur refugee
By David Blair
(Filed: 06/02/2006)
A terrified young boy joins the countless thousands of victims of the civil war that is destroying Sudan. David Blair reports from the chaos of Kalma camp
When mounted Arab raiders struck Nasir Ali Hassan's village, firing from the saddle and setting huts ablaze, the seven-year-old boy fled with his mother across the arid plains of Darfur. Follow the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Filed: 06/02/2006)
A terrified young boy joins the countless thousands of victims of the civil war that is destroying Sudan. David Blair reports from the chaos of Kalma camp
When mounted Arab raiders struck Nasir Ali Hassan's village, firing from the saddle and setting huts ablaze, the seven-year-old boy fled with his mother across the arid plains of Darfur. Follow the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sunday, February 05, 2006
The hidden legacy of war
Mary Anne Fitzgerald International Herald Tribune
As the sun set behind the mud hut, four young boys and their teenage sister sat around the dying embers of a cooking fire. "I was standing next to my uncle when they shot him dead. They set fire to the house. There were flames everywhere," said eight-year-old Toum. It was the first time he had spoken of the day, after a year of silence, when armed militia known as janjaweed razed his village to the ground as part of an ongoing campaign of genocide in Sudan's As the sun set behind the mud hut, four young boys and their teenage sister sat around the dying embers of a cooking fire. "I was standing next to my uncle when they shot him dead. They set fire to the house. There were flames everywhere," said eight-year-old Toum. It was the first time he had spoken of the day, after a year of silence, when armed militia known as janjaweed razed his village to the ground as part of an ongoing campaign of genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. Read the entire story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As the sun set behind the mud hut, four young boys and their teenage sister sat around the dying embers of a cooking fire. "I was standing next to my uncle when they shot him dead. They set fire to the house. There were flames everywhere," said eight-year-old Toum. It was the first time he had spoken of the day, after a year of silence, when armed militia known as janjaweed razed his village to the ground as part of an ongoing campaign of genocide in Sudan's As the sun set behind the mud hut, four young boys and their teenage sister sat around the dying embers of a cooking fire. "I was standing next to my uncle when they shot him dead. They set fire to the house. There were flames everywhere," said eight-year-old Toum. It was the first time he had spoken of the day, after a year of silence, when armed militia known as janjaweed razed his village to the ground as part of an ongoing campaign of genocide in Sudan's Darfur region. Read the entire story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
UN agrees to deployment of peacekeepers in Sudan
NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , WASHINGTON
Sunday, Feb 05, 2006,Page 6
The UN Security Council, acknowledging the failure of the current strategy for ending the carnage in Darfur, Sudan, agreed on Friday to deploy thousands of peacekeepers to the troubled province.
The US, which holds the council presidency this month, offered the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Officials acknowledged that winning council approval was probably the least difficult step. Click here for the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sunday, Feb 05, 2006,Page 6
The UN Security Council, acknowledging the failure of the current strategy for ending the carnage in Darfur, Sudan, agreed on Friday to deploy thousands of peacekeepers to the troubled province.
The US, which holds the council presidency this month, offered the motion, and it was approved unanimously. Officials acknowledged that winning council approval was probably the least difficult step. Click here for the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Saturday, February 04, 2006
New Violence Displaces Many Tens of Thousands of Darfuris, February 4, 2006
As New Violence Displaces Many Tens of Thousands of Darfuris,
as humanitarian security deteriorates badly, threatening hundreds of thousands,
the Bush administration decides these people are no longer victims of genocide. Click here for the full story >>>>>>>
Eric Reeves
February 4, 2006
as humanitarian security deteriorates badly, threatening hundreds of thousands,
the Bush administration decides these people are no longer victims of genocide. Click here for the full story >>>>>>>
Eric Reeves
February 4, 2006
Entire Darfur village of 55,000 flees after raids by Janjaweed gunmen
By David Blair in Menawashi
(Filed: 04/02/2006)
Exhausted refugees were building ramshackle shelters in a dry river bed yesterday after 55,000 people fled a raid mounted by the Janjaweed militia in the Sudanese province of Darfur.
It was the biggest movement of refugees there so far this year. The victims, many of whom have fled attacks twice or even three times before, are camped around the town of Menawashi in southern Darfur. Read the full episode >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Filed: 04/02/2006)
Exhausted refugees were building ramshackle shelters in a dry river bed yesterday after 55,000 people fled a raid mounted by the Janjaweed militia in the Sudanese province of Darfur.
It was the biggest movement of refugees there so far this year. The victims, many of whom have fled attacks twice or even three times before, are camped around the town of Menawashi in southern Darfur. Read the full episode >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Friday, February 03, 2006
African Union may pull troops from Darfur
By UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Published February 3, 2006
The African Union says violence is worsening in Sudan's western Darfur region and it may have to withdraw troops for lack of funds.
The United States wants the United Nations to take control of the Darfur peacekeeping force, the BBC said.
The head of the AU Sudan peacekeeping mission, Baba Gana Kingibe, blamed intertribal fighting, Arab militias and "opportunistic bandits" for the escalation in violence. He urged the government to take immediate steps to disarm the militias.
He said there were fewer confrontations between the three main parties involved in peace talks -- the government and the two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement.
www.wpherald.com
Published February 3, 2006
The African Union says violence is worsening in Sudan's western Darfur region and it may have to withdraw troops for lack of funds.
The United States wants the United Nations to take control of the Darfur peacekeeping force, the BBC said.
The head of the AU Sudan peacekeeping mission, Baba Gana Kingibe, blamed intertribal fighting, Arab militias and "opportunistic bandits" for the escalation in violence. He urged the government to take immediate steps to disarm the militias.
He said there were fewer confrontations between the three main parties involved in peace talks -- the government and the two rebel groups, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement.
www.wpherald.com
Thursday, February 02, 2006
War Crimes in Crayola
Children depict the atrocities of Darfur in crayon.
By Sue Peters
Helicopters and airplanes vs. camels and horses in Darfur.It can be easy to forget about troubles in distant countries when so many crises explode into the headlines with disturbing regularity: New Orleans, the Pakistan-Kashmir earthquake, Iraq. And then there's Darfur. Read the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Dealing With the Genocide in Darfur
Wednesday, February 1, 2006; A22
The plan that U.N. Secretary General Kofi A. Annan laid out in his Jan. 25 op-ed, "Darfur Descending," epitomized why the United Nations is viewed as ineffectual by much of the world.
Mr. Annan identified the hunger-relief effort, the African Union (A.U.) peacekeeping force and a negotiated cease-fire as reasons for hope when he visited Darfur last May. But efforts to relieve hunger are mitigating actions, not solutions; the African Union force was known to lack resources, training, manpower and effective rules of engagement; and negotiations work only when driven by real carrots and real sticks. Read the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The plan that U.N. Secretary General Kofi A. Annan laid out in his Jan. 25 op-ed, "Darfur Descending," epitomized why the United Nations is viewed as ineffectual by much of the world.
Mr. Annan identified the hunger-relief effort, the African Union (A.U.) peacekeeping force and a negotiated cease-fire as reasons for hope when he visited Darfur last May. But efforts to relieve hunger are mitigating actions, not solutions; the African Union force was known to lack resources, training, manpower and effective rules of engagement; and negotiations work only when driven by real carrots and real sticks. Read the full story >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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