I have no words for the horror that is Sudan. Many of us tried 4, 5 years ago to get the word out on what was happening. Even during Clinton. No one wanted to hear it. Millions of innocents lost in that time. I pray someone will step up to save the few left. No one in power sees this as a priority or they wish to appease...someone.
Weekly News and Action Update - October 27, 2005
Action Items:
60 Seconds of Action: In a dynamic partnership to raise awareness of the crisis in Darfur, Timberland and Don Cheadle have teamed up to launch the Stomp Out Genocide campaign, in cooperation with the Save Darfur Coalition. Timberland is offering Stomp Out Genocide t-shirts and accessories at their online store, and has also produced a one-of-a-kind pair of boots designed by Don Cheadle. Take a moment to check them out here.
60 Minutes of Action: The Save Darfur Coalition is proud to announce the launching of two exciting new programs, Darfur Ambassadors and Communities United, are designed to make local advocacy easier for individuals and groups interested in advocating further action on Darfur. Upon signing up for either program, the Coalition will provide detailed information on how to be a more effective advocate. Details of both programs, Darfur Ambassadors and Communities United, can be found on the Coalition website. If you are interested in raising your advocacy to a higher level, please take a moment to check them out.
This week in Sudan:
Several prominent voices spoke out this week on Darfur, proposing new action and questioning current strategy. All, however, agree that more must be done if the violence is to be brought to an end.
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and former U.S. presidential candidate Wesley Clark told Voice of America radio that the U.S. should immediately deploy approximately 5,000 troops to Darfur, a force which would be complemented by NATO and the African Union (AU). According to General Clark, the U.S. and NATO forces would then gradually be replaced by an expanded AU presence in the region until a permanent political peace could be reached.
It was therefore unfortunate that a Congressional House-Senate conference committee voted to cut $50 million in funding for the AU from the FY06 Foreign Operations spending bill. The $50 million had originally been added to the Senate’s version of the bill, but was cut in negotiations between Senators and Representatives reconciling their two versions of the bill. Rev. Richard Cizik, Vice President for Government Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, called the cut “a tragedy for the people of Darfur.”
Elsewhere in Washington, the Bush Administration extended sanctions against Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism. The sanctions, first enacted in 1997, were set to expire this week. The extension of sanctions coincided with Sudanese First Vice President Salva Kiir’s first visit to Washington, during which he met with Administration officials and Congressional leaders. Among others, Kiir met with Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who is himself traveling to Sudan next week.
In Darfur, members of the SLA, one of the region’s largest rebel movements, began voting for a new SLA President. Given the current fractured nature of the SLA however, this vote could create an even wider schism within the organization, threatening the future of the peace process.
For additional information on any of these stories, either click on the links embedded in the above paragraphs, or scroll to a list of the articles below. In addition, a more complete list of articles on Darfur is available below, and here on our website, updated daily. You may also request daily email news updates with the days top articles by emailing info@SaveDarfur.org.
Articles Referenced Above:
Former NATO Chief: US Troops Should Deploy in Darfur
Voice of America News – 11/02/2005
U.S. pushes Sudan to do more in Darfur
Reuters – 11/02/2005
US extends Sudan sanctions
South Africa Sunday Times – 11/03/2005
Zoellick Meets Southern Sudan Leader, Prepares for Sudan Trip Next Week
Voice of America News – 11/02/2005
Darfur rebels begin vote on new leadership
Reuters – 11/03/2005
Other News:
Congressman Mike Capuano Demands Explanation of U.S. Policy in Sudan
All Arfica – 11/01/2005
Sudan oil committee formed on oil sharing policy
Arabic News – 11/01/2005
SUDAN: African troops in Darfur need more funding and stronger mandate, says ICG
IRIN News – 10/26/2005
Contact information:
- To subscribe, enter your email address under "get email updates" at www.SaveDarfur.org.
- To unsubscribe, please reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
- For other correspondence, please write to info@savedarfur.org.
- Please visit us at www.SaveDarfur.org.