The Genocide in Darfur

The conflict in Darfur has been going on since July 2003. The conflict centers mainly on the part of African rebel factions, the government backed janjaweed and Sudanese government itself. The conflicted originated with black African rebels began demandign more political power within the government. As a result, the government let loose the militia called the "janjaweed" who have been attacking black villages: burning houses, and killing and raping innocent civilians. Though the Sudanese government claims no associationw with the janjaweed, they have given money and assistance to the militia who are responsible for ethinic massacres. Currently, the struggle has progressed into an even more violent power struggle for rebels, the janjaweed and government forces for control over resources and money. The Sudanese government renewed its bombing campaign in late 2006 and 2007 upon areas said to be "under rebel control" on a daily basis, resulting in even more deaths and displacement.

The situation in Darfur has spread far beyond the region. Neighboring countries have become involved by taking in refugees as as well as other areas of Sudan. Many of those displaced as well are now living in camps, completely dependent upon international aid. Those in need of assistance amounts to roughly 4 millions, which is approximately two-thirds of the population of Sudan.

A more subtle player in all of this, is China. China is the main oil trade partner with Sudan (they buy somewhere around 40% of its oil). The trade agreement between these two has caused China to consistently vote against U.N. sanctions against Sudan. Even worse, the U.N. has refused to declare the situation in Darfur as a genocide.

More information about Darfur can be found here.

Darfur Not A Genocide?

I have found one of the most absurd assertions: the situation in Darfur isn't a genocide. Come again?

Must Darfur Wait Another Year?

On July 31, 2007, the U.N. Security Council authorized 19,000 additional peacekeepers to help stop the violence in Darfur.

One year later, barely 2,000 have arrived, and those who are in Darfur lack the equipment they need to protect themselves, let alone Darfuri civilians. Just yesterday, at least seven peacekeepers were killed in Darfur in an attack most likely orchestrated by the government of Sudan.

Peacekeepers are risking their lives to fulfill the Security Council's promise to protect the people of Darfur. But the Security Council hasn't even given the peacekeepers the resources to protect themselves.

We cannot let another year pass with little more than words from our leaders.

Join our international campaign to deliver 50,000 petitions to the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council on July 31, 2008. A Security Council resolution is useless without concrete action from the U.N. and the nations that lead it. It is outrageous that the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council—China, Russia, France, the U.K., and the U.S.—cannot produce a few hundred trucks, or even just 24 helicopters, to end the brutal genocide.

This is a failure of will, plain and simple. The world promised Darfur protection but has failed to deliver it.

Since January alone, 190,000 Darfuris have been displaced and driven from their homes. How many more deaths and displaced people will it take before the world community provides real security?

Click here to tell the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to stop dragging their feet and act immediately to deploy peacekeepers to Darfur.

Let's stand together on July 31—the one-year anniversary of the authorization of peacekeepers—to tell world leaders: No more false promises. No more delays. No more unfulfilled mandates. Just action and leadership, please.

We can't afford to simply watch the clock run out on the Bush administration. Not when people are dying every day.

Please write your elected officials to press for sufficient U.S. diplomatic efforts in concert with the rest of the international community to bring peace to and reaffirm the right to life of the people in Darfur.

New Threats to Darfur Civilians

Violence in Sudan is escalating. The Justice and Equality Movement, a Darfuri rebel group, attacked Khartoum on Saturday in an attempt to topple the Sudanese regime. The government has reportedly stopped the attempt. In retaliation to the attacks, there is already news of widespread atrocities against Darfuri civilians.

Reports indicate that the government is detaining, torturing and killing Darfuris in and around Khartoum, and that janjaweed militias have commenced attacks in North Darfur. The international community must demand an immediate end to atrocities, speed up deployment of peacekeepers, and make clear to all sides that there is no violent solution to this conflict.

Please take the time to tell President Bush to immediately use all diplomatic and economic tools necessary to help end attacks against innocent Darfuri civilians.

The situation in Darfur is dire. Violence is affecting every aspect of life in Darfur, including food supplies. The U.N. has been forced to cut its food aid shipments in half because its trucks are often hijacked before they get to the people in need.

President Bush must immediately use the full force of American diplomacy to urge all sides to exercise restraint, protect civilians, and to begin a just and inclusive peace process. President Bush must also use the U.S. presidency of the U.N. Security Council in June to ensure full deployment of the UNAMID peacekeeping force for Darfur, and to punish those who attack civilians.

The international community is falling tragically short of our mandate and our moral obligation in Darfur. There is hope, but only if the most powerful actors on the world stage are serious about ending the genocide.

Thank you for your dedication to the people of Darfur.