A region about the size of Texas, Darfur, Sudan is the home of two different tribes, one primarily African and the other Arab. Both of these tribes are mainly Muslim, but an agreement in religion does not stop the ongoing battle between Darfurians and the Janjaweed, a government supported militia made up of primarily Arabs. This genocide has destroyed the lives of 450,000 Darfurians and has displaced at least 2.5 million.
The genocide in Sudan began in February of 2003. A rebel group of Darfurians acted out against the Sudanese government in Khartoum due to neglect and poverty. In response to this uprising, that same government enlisted a militia of mostly Arab peoples, the Janjaweed, to counterattack the innocent civilians of Darfur, Sudan. Since then, the Janjaweed and its coordinator has raped, displaced, starved, threatened, and mass murdered to reach a death toll of over 400,000. Monthly, thousands of Darfurians continue to die from disease, violence, and displacement. Although American officials have recently spoken out against the genocide in Sudan, international and United States powers have yet to decide when the genocide will end. In March of 2006 the international community administered a peace deal meant to settle things down, while in reality increasing violence in response to this deal.
Organizations in the U.S. such as SaveDarfur, the Darfur Peace and Development Organization, and Down 4 Darfur promote the welfare of Darfur and contribute to their well-being. Anyone can donate money to the cause, e-mail President Bush, and sign petitions on behalf of the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. Most importantly, these organizations have been created and promoted to raise awareness on this devastating genocide.
Darfur: The Secret Genocide
By Emilie - Posted on November 15th, 2006
Tagged: World
• Effective government
it's not secret, the U.S. just cares more about it's oil supplies to get involved.
Insert Shameless Self-Promotion Here -- http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ada-castellon
Finally! I found someone who agrees with what I think about the situation in Darfur. Thanks for posting this! It gave me a lot more confidence about my own writing!
Thank you for bringing this up, these are great ways for anyone to get involved regardless of financial situation. It's hard to fully understand what these victims are enduring because we are so far away, and the media is more obsessed with Posh's hair than victims.
Thank you for letting me know. For everyone else know. Not many know about this situation. And there are other genocides happening around the world. This is sad.
My community college in Maryland had an event where the Student Government and BSU screened a documentary narrated by George Clooney called 'Sand and Sorrow', which is about Darfur and the lack of attention it's been getting. Our SGA president wanted to do this ever since the beginning of the college year. I wish I went there; if only I could drive or I had someone to drive me there on the day I didn't have class. Our country ignores these problems since the government is so concerned with Iraq even more. I don't even know who to listen to or vote for. Either Clinton or Obama. But I have no idea. But whoever goes into office will have to do much more than the Bush Admin. has done.