…Sells 12 more MiGs to Khartoum. Last year Amnesty International revealed a disturbing record of Russian and Chinese arms sales to the Sudanese government, in violation of a standing UN arms embargo. Those arms were used against innocent civilians in Darfur.
[End of Post]
In case you missed, a release from the
Sudan’s ‘Smoke and Mirrors Show in Overdrive’ Following New Peace, Ceasefire Proposals
Fowler: ‘Experience has taught us that Bashir’s promises should be presumed empty until and unless they are proven true.’
WASHINGTON, NOV. 13, 2008 – The Save Darfur Coalition today cast a suspicious eye toward new promises and proposals from Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir – promises that included ending the Darfur hostilities and forging a lasting peace in the war-torn country. These promises and proposals come conspicuously close to pending action from the International Criminal Court, whose response to arrest warrant requests for the Sudanese president are anticipated in the coming months. Jerry Fowler, president of the coalition, said history clearly shows us that al-Bashir’s promises must be “presumed empty” unless proven otherwise.
“With their latest batch of hollow proposals and promises, Khartoum’s smoke and mirrors show is in overdrive trying to suspend the ICC case against President al-Bashir.
“We’ve been down this road before. Time will tell if the Sudanese regime is for the first time serious about abiding by their newly declared ceasefire and bringing an end to this shameful chapter in Sudan’s history. Hard experience has taught us, however, that Bashir’s promises should be presumed empty until and unless they are proven true.
“Only real, verified security on the ground, coupled with a just and inclusive peace agreement and justice mechanisms broadly acceptable to the Darfuri people, would justify any consideration of suspension of the ICC case. The suffering of Darfuri civilians must be brought to an end. Any who would continue to threaten that must be held to account.”
[End of Post]
It’s time for the Darfur movement to make sure strong sanctions are imposed against the Sudanese government.
The key policy recommendation from ENOUGH, the Save Darfur Coalition, and the Genocide Intervention Network’s recent, must-read open letter to President-elect Obama:
“The new president should work through or with selected members of the U.N. Security Council to bring a larger collection of nations on board with targeted sanctions against those most responsible for violence in Sudan. If the Security Council fails to pass these broader sanctions, then the new administration should build an international coalition to bring this pressure. Along with the ICC, these instruments can create much higher legal, financial, and political costs to those who are responsible for violence against civilians. If efforts to pass targeted sanctions through the Security Council fall short, a concerted effort should be made to work with the European Union to jointly apply U.S.-EU sanctions. In addition, the possibility of capital market sanctions for oil companies contracting with the Sudanese government should be explored.”
[End of Post]
So Sudan’s President and top genocidaire Omar al-Bashir just announced a Darfur ceasefire.
How long will it take for Bashir to break his word for the umpteenth time?
This sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I’m pasting below the short description from the Genocide Intervention Network:
GI-NET is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellowship, the first and only anti-genocide leadership development program designed for busy adults. The Carl Wilkens Fellowship provides adults with leadership training, conflict and legislative education, and the organizing tools and resources to build sustained political will to end genocide. Learn more…
Our vision of a world without genocide begins with the creation of a constituency of educated and empowered Americans who believe that protecting men, women and children from genocide is everyone’s responsibility. Become a leader in the anti-genocide constituency — apply for the Carl Wilkens Fellowship today!
[End of Post]
In the words of Sudan analyst Eric Reeves, humanitarian efforts in Darfur are facing an “escalating war” by the ruling Khartoum regime.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) recently warned the international community that the Sudanese government has threatened to shut down MSF’s lifesaving activities in South Darfur. By all acounts, Omar al-Bashir remains absolutely confident that he can continue without punishment his brutal war of attrition against millions of internally displaced Darfuris.
Here’s what an MSF official said about the recent Sudanese government threats:
“We don’t understand why they are now trying to prevent us from providing medical aid to the population. It’s incredibly frustrating, when there are clearly still serious needs in Darfur.”
Read MSF’s full statement/warning here.
Over the last four years, Doctors Without Borders’ clinics and hospitals have treated hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur. At this urgent moment, MSF definitely needs all the help it can get from the advocacy and donor communities. Among other small but concrete actions, you can click here to help MSF win much needed funds from a TripAdvisor-sponsored contest.
Ultimately, though, donations and contests and vigilant humanitarianism aren’t enough. And that’s because they aren’t an effective answer to the source of all of these problems. The Sudanese government continues to get away with genocide. They are the executors of genocide. In this critical time, only a strict set of punitive measures — starting with (but no limited to) the imposition of targeted multilateral sanctions — can stop Khartoum’s now six-year-old campaign of slaughter.
[End of Post]
[From our allies at the San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition:]
Did you know that your family savings might be helping to fund the genocide in Darfur? Most people don’t. But when they find out, most people are horrified and want to ensure that their own personal savings are no longer connected to genocide.
There’s an easy way that you can help in the important work of convincing mutual fund companies to become genocide-free. Our colleagues at Investors Against Genocide are leading this effort and need mutual fund shareholders to submit a shareholder proposal to mutual funds in which they invest to help make them genocide-free.
If you have at least $2K invested in a mutual fund and have held that fund for at least a year, you are eligible to submit a shareholder proposal. The staff at Investors Against Genocide (IAG) will assist you in the easy submission process. It takes very little time and all the materials have been developed for you. You just will fill in a few blanks. You will not need to disclose any financial information to IAG or any third party.
If you don’t own any mutual funds, but have a friend or family member who does, please pass along this email to them.
The SF Bay Area Darfur Coalition has committed to getting hundreds of proposals submitted. If you are willing to put your 401(k), IRA or any other mutual fund investment to work for Darfur, please send an email to martinaknee –at– gmail.com with your full name, phone number, and email address. A member of the IAG team will contact you directly to answer your questions and help you get started. This personal information will not be used for any other purpose.
Help end investments in genocide and cut off the money supply to those who perpetrate crimes against humanity.
[End of Post]
In case you missed this article…
Sudan makes case abroad while still bombing Darfur
President Omar al-Bashir says international interference will hamper peace. Darfuris ask: ‘What peace?’
By Heba Aly – The Christian Science Monitor – October 9, 2008
Tawila, Sudan – During the US vice presidential debate last week, Sen. Joe Biden (D) and Gov. Sarah Palin (R) found common ground on at least one topic: Both support imposing a no-fly zone in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.
Some 6,000 miles away, Darfuris fleeing their homes welcome such talk, especially after a recent spate of indiscriminate government bombings.
“The government said it was only looking for rebels. It said it didn’t want to harm the people,” says villager Abdullah Isshac, who spent one week hiding in the countryside after a government attack on the village of Khazan Tungur. “But the rebels are out in the mountains, not in the village.”
To the outside world, Sudan’s government sings a different tune, claiming since July – when the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide for his role in the Darfur conflict – that the prosecution of its leader would jeopardize the peace process. But as the situation on the ground here grows worse, Darfuris are asking: “What peace process are you talking about?”
Today The Huffington Post published a new piece by Sudan activist Susan Morgan. It’s a great and important read. Check it out here.
[End of Post]
In advance of tonight’s presidential debate, a great article on Senator McCain, Senator Obama, and Darfur policy by Sudan activist Susan Morgan. Please read this important commentary.
Neither Candidate Has Done Enough To Help Darfur Victims
The Huffington Post
September 23, 2008
Originally published here.
According to statements made by Senators John McCain and Barack Obama in a questionnaire recently released by three leading Darfur activist organizations, both US presidential candidates are committed to bringing a swift end to the genocide unfolding in the Darfur region of Sudan. Yet, as this first genocide of the 21st century continues into its sixth year, words are cheap.
Both McCain and Obama have promised “unstinting resolve” in pursuing an end to the Darfur genocide if elected. However, we have yet to see either of these US leaders, one of whom will become our next president, flex his political muscle to bring relief to the millions of victims suffering in Darfur today.
These innocent victims cannot wait until January 2009 before the United States musters the political will to act. In recent weeks, the situation in Darfur has become increasingly grave. The government of Sudan has launched repeated attacks on civilian camps for internally displaced persons including one on September 10 at the ZamZam camp and one at the Kalma camp on August 25. Additionally, the UN’s World Food Program announced that escalating violence may force it to stop food deliveries leaving millions without assistance.
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