STANDFast: Stories of Survivors (12/1/09 at UNC-CH)

Here’s an upcoming event at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I’ll be there – come out and join us!


On December 1st, join UNC’s chapter of STAND, formerly SUDAN, in fasting from a luxury— like coffee, facebook, or food— for a day.

Sign up to fast at www.mysignup.com/standfast

Last year, participants raised almost $2,500. That money helped build two wells for 1,000 villagers in Chow Lek, Sudan. They no longer have to scoop their drinking water out of a shallow, muddy hole used by animals.

But we can’t stop there.

On the night of Dec. 1st, we will break the fast in the Student Union Great Hall at 6:30 p.m. Your donation ($5 suggested) will go to support one of STAND’s humanitarian aid campaigns. We will explain more the night of the fast!

There will be food donated by local restaurants like Jimmy John's, Jack Sprat and Chipotle! And UNC student dancers and singers will perform!

Following dinner, genocide survivors will share their experiences and answer questions.

Co Sponsors: James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence and the Student Life Enhancement Fund

Please sign up to fast at www.mysignup.com/standfast and join the facebook event at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204864078059&ref=ts Invite friends!!

Event this Friday

Spread the word! Free food and film screening this Friday!

The Interfaith Coalition for Sudanese Peace invites you to join us for a free pizza dinner and screening of the documentary “Facing Sudan.” This documentary captures the stories of various “ordinary” people like you and me and highlights their courage and the fight to end genocide in Darfur. Scott Sutton, a 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow with the Genocide Intervention Network, will lead a brief discussion and provide an update on current events in Darfur.

This is a low-key, informal event that will be thought provoking as well as encouraging. It will be a great opportunity to introduce new people to the current situation in Darfur. Even if you can’t make it, please invite at least TWO other people to attend the screening.

What: Free food and film screening hosted by the Interfaith Coalition for Sudanese Peace.
When: Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Where: Connections Community Space, 1280 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh, NC
Why: Because you want to learn more about Darfur, because you are moved to stop human suffering, because you want to do your part to raise awareness, and because there is free food!
RSVP: Send a reply to Scott at suttonsa [at] gmail [dot]com by Wed., Nov. 18

A note regarding children: The event is open to everyone and children are encouraged to attend. However, there will be graphic images in the film as it deals with the real death and destruction in Darfur.

I look forward to seeing you on the 20th.

Rape Bystanders No Longer

If you saw a 15-year old girl getting raped in an alley – would you stop it or cheer it on? Last month, this brutal scenario played out at a high school dance in California where police say more than 20 people stood, watched and jeered the two-hour gang-rape of a young woman. As a nation, we are now wrestling with the brutality of these abusers and the unfathomable lack of action from the bystanders. We are rightly enraged by the lack of action to stop human suffering and are pursuing criminal charges where possible.

Before we cast stones, we must realize that you and I are already bystanders to rape and massive human suffering. We have stood by as more than 400,000 men, women and children were murdered in Darfur. We are still standing by as the rapes, torture, starvation and suffering continues unabated for those left alive.

The good news is that there is a growing movement to end genocide and mass atrocities and it’s not too late to prevent the next great human tragedy. This past weekend, more than 800 students and adults gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Pledge2Protect conference organized by the Genocide Intervention Network. On Monday, the North Carolina delegation met with Sens. Burr and Hagan to urge them to make “never again” a reality. One unique aspect of this round of advocacy was the use of videos from North Carolinians in addition to “old fashioned” talking, to make the point to our elected representatives.

I urge you – yes you, the one reading this blog post - to refuse to be a bystander to genocide and take action with us. The first step to joining the anti-genocide conversation in the Triangle region of North Carolina is to join the Interfaith Coalition for Sudanese Peace for free food, a film screening and discussion on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at 1280 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, N.C. RSVP to Scott at: suttonsa {at} gmail {dot} com.

Pledge2Protect Conference on Twitter

Right now, as I write this brief blog post, hundreds of anti-genocide activists, elected officials and experts are meeting in Washington, D.C. This conference, called Pledge2Protect is the anti-genocide movement's largest conference ever and is a collaboration between the Genocide Intervention Network, SaveDarfur and the Enough Project.

For those of us unlucky to not be there, you can follow along with participants on Twitter. Many attendees are tweeting about what they see and hear - it's almost as good as the real thing. Check it out by following @pledge2protect if you have a Twitter account, or go to: http://pledge2protect.twazzup.com/

I'm praying that this conference is meaningful and results in action, not merely just talk.

Obama’s new Sudan policy released

The Obama Administration finally unveiled its comprehensive plan to bring peace to Sudan today at an event attended by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice and Special Envoy to Sudan Gen. Scott Gration. These three administration heavyweights said many good things about their intentions in the news conference, but the question still remains about their implementation.

Many in the activist community have a great deal of concern about what they see as a real gap between the administration’s rhetoric and its day-to-day diplomacy with the Sudanese government. President Obama must be firm in his promise to lead a more urgent multi-lateral peace process. U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration must work to build an international coalition for the meaningful implementation of the North-South peace deal, and implement a policy that creates real consequences for those who continue to attack civilians, block life-saving aid, undermine peace and justice.

For more information on this major development, please check out the following resources:
• View the video of the State Department’s news conference
• View the Washington Post preview article on the Sudan Policy
• View a video response from Sam Bell, Executive Director of the Genocide Intervention Network
• View an op-ed in the LA Times by John Prendergast, Co-founder of ENOUGH!

Take action: Call 1-800-GENOCIDE and urge President Obama to implement his new strategy and keep his campaign promises on Sudan.

Cookies for a dictator?

In an article in the Washington Post, U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration is quoted as saying, "We've got to think about giving out cookies. Kids, countries, they react to gold stars, smiley faces, handshakes, agreements, talk, engagement."

He said this on the eve of a major Sudan policy review by the new Obama Administration and that comment, among other statements, is raising eyebrows across the Darfur peace movement.

Cookies for a Sudanese government that has repeatedly broken promises? Cookies for a Sudanese government that expelled humanitarian groups, thus endangering the lives of millions, but then insisted on getting a reward for letting these same groups back in?

I believe the main concern from the Darfur peace movement’s leaders is that these Gration statements reflect the Administration's official Sudan policy. Such an apparently "soft" approach flies in the face of the bold statements and commitments to action made by former Senators Obama, Biden and Clinton on the campaign trail.

The leaders of the Enough Project, Save Darfur Coaltion and the Genocide Intervention Network released a statement in response. To quote Sam Bell, the director of the Genocide Intervention Network: “If Washington is going to start taking war criminals at their word, despite the long list of Khartoum's broken commitments, an even larger tragedy will soon unfold.” [Full disclosure: I am a 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow with the Genocide Intervention Network]

Personally, I want to trust the Envoy. I want to believe that offering incentives is shortest route to ending the suffering of my friends and their families in Darfur. If his tactics have gained him the trust and ear of the Government of Sudan (GoS), then perhaps cookies are what need to be served.

However, the leader of the Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebel group was quoted in the Sudan Tribune on Sept. 28 saying the Envoy “does not have a program or strategy for a solution” in Darfur. This does not give me condidence that Gration has the trust of the rebels, who will be key in ending this mess.

So…is Gration fumbling away a chance for real peace by losing the confidence of a key ally in JEM, or is his strategy of paying attention and giving “cookies” to the GoS the right focus and key to long-term solutions? Let me know what you think.

Heading to Washington

I'm headed to Washington DC this weekend for the second Carl Wilkens Fellowship retreat. I look forward to a good time of catching up with the other 20 fellows, sharing best practices re-focusing on the final months of the fellowship.

I'm going up a little early and will meet with Roger Pena, a senior legislative aide for NC Senator Kay Hagan. I look forward to this opportunity to introduce myself, our anti-genocide work and the ongoing issue in Sudan. I plan to ask Sen. Hagan to help us by sending a letter to President Obama urging him to strengthen his Sudan policy to avoid being duped by a Sudanese Government that is notorious for broken promises.

While I'm there, I might drop by Sen. Burr's office as well.

I'll let you know how the meeting goes.

Strong, balanced policy needed for Sudan

It’s been nearly seven years since the Darfur genocide began. Fortunately, the conflict continues to garner much-needed attention worldwide. This is in large part due to the unprecedented number of Americans and dedicated elected officials like U.S. Representatives Brad Miller and David Price who have refused to give up on the people suffering there.

President Obama stated on March 18th that “Sudan is a priority for this Administration,” yet the Administration has failed to demonstrate the sense of urgency and executive attention that is necessary to distinguish Sudan as a true priority. The Administration has yet to release a long-overdue policy review of Sudan and has appeared focused more on rewards for the Government of Sudan instead of a balanced approach that includes punitive measures for continued intransigence. The release of an appropriately balanced policy review would help to alleviate fears that the United States will squander its leverage on continued broken promises from Khartoum.

As Senators, President Obama, Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were three of the strongest advocates for Sudan, but now that they are in the Administration we have yet to see them live up to their promises to prioritize peace in Sudan.

Sudan Now, an ad campaign coming out this week in several major news outlets, calls on Obama, Biden and Clinton to keep the promises that they’ve made to the people of Sudan. The release of the policy review on Sudan is expected within days. Obama, Biden and Clinton must take this opportunity to become a part of the process; weighing in to ensure that the policy matches up with their rhetoric. More information on the campaign can be found by visiting www.SudanActionNow.com.

What's in a name?

In the temper tantrum that immediately followed the ICC's indictment of President Bashir or Sudan, the Sudanese Government kicked out 13 aid groups working in Darfur. This retaliation against "the West" was particularly damaging to the situation in Darfur because the expelled aid groups were significant players in the humanitarian scene - providing about 40 percent of the aid to the millions who are suffering. Names like Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps, Save the Children and Oxfam are well-known around the world for their professionalism and quality work under dire conditions. If they're in your background, you've got issues but you're in good hands. 

Thankfully, according to news reports, the Sudanese Government is now letting these groups back into the country...with one condition. The only condition seems to be that they change their name. This is an odd move, but one is probably just a face-saving tactic. The best part is the same experienced staff, resources and logistical networks can return to work. 

I can understand the hesitancy of aid groups to change their identity. Afterall, its a brand they've built for decades and it matters to donors and staff. It's also about pride in your work. As a public relations professional, I know the value of consistency in communications and image. However, this is a time when your typical PR instinct should get thrown out the window. 

Names do not matter in the game of life and death. There are millions of men, women and children in desperate need of water and medical care, and I really don't think they care what logo is on the truck. So, I say to the expelled groups: go ahead and change the name on your badge, the logo on your truck and heck, throw up a new web site to appease those in power. Because the refugees without power need your help, and they need it now.  And they don't care what you're called.

For the full story, visit the Washington Post article. 

Help Sarah ride against rape

Right now, rape is at an all-time high in areas of Sub-Saharan Africa where large concentrations of Sudanese refugees are seeking shelter from the crisis in Darfur. A great number of these rapes occur when women venture outside of the camps, in places such as Congo and Chad, to get firewood. Rape is used as a political tool as well as a means of demoralizing and socially degrading women.

One local Raleigh high school student has said "no more!" and is taking action to provide these women with protection. Sarah Cheshire is setting out on a coast-to-coast bike ride to raise money for Genocide Intervention Network's civilian protection program. She begins in Charleston, S.C., and with your help she will make it all the way to San Diego, CA.

For more information on how to sponsor Sarah and provide real protection to women threatened by rape, contact Sarah at [scheshire AT  cfsnc DOT org]. The deadline for raising money is June 15 – so act quickly!

The creative side of this blog

I write this blog not only to provide the occasional commentary on world events pertaining to Darfur, but also to share the stories of life in Darfur as I knew it before the genocide began. My hope is that these creative pieces will grab your attention and make you want to learn more about this region and its wonderful people. They are all based on real life events or people I knew as I lived and played in Eastern Chad.

To save you the trouble of scrolling through years of posts, here is a list of some of my more creative pieces:
How to eat a Mango
Arrival: Part 1
Arrival: Part 2
A Night Without Gunfire
Nighttime Ritual
Evacuation Is Not An Option
The Water Boys
When Is A Chicken Worth Its Weight In Gold?
A Tale of Two Girls
How To Catch A Bat

Peacekeeper shot during carjacking

The latest report out of Chad/Darfur recently remind us of the volatile situation on the ground in Darfur. On Thursday of last week, an African Union-UN peacekeeper was killed - not in battle, but by a rogue thug tryiing to steal his vehicle. For me, this is almost worse than being ambushed by the Janjaweed militias, because it reflects the utter chaos of the region and desperation of the people. He is the 15th peacekeeper to die since the AU-UN mission began last year.

Are you a Triangle NC Darfur advocate? Come join us!

This Sunday is an exciting day. It is the "relaunch" of the Interfaith Coalition for Sudanese Peace in the Triangle region of North Carolina.

Many people have participated with the Interfaith Council on past events, while others may not know about the Interfaith Coalition but care about the crisis in Darfur. We thank each of you for your hard work - from volunteering to fundraising to praying – that has helped improve the lives of the men, women and children of Darfur.

Unfortunately, the situation in Darfur remains dire and now more than ever we must work together to raise our voices on behalf of these people. Since we last spoke with many of you, the Interfaith Coalition for Sudanese Peace has changed. We have new members, new structure and a new strategic vision for working to end the crisis in Darfur. We want to reconnect with you (or connect for the first time) and hear what you and your organizations are doing in this area.

You are invited to an event specifically for men and women who have demonstrated a passion and interest in resolving the crisis in Darfur. At this event, we will network with other local activists and get a brief update on the current situation in Darfur. We will also learn about the Coalition’s new organization and examine ways we can partner together this year.

When: Sunday, April 26 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Connections community space, 1280 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh NC

For more information, call 919 612 1698

A bailout for human life

What does $50 billion get you these days?

Not as much as it used it, at least according to the headlines. The U.S. government is doling out that amount right and left to various mega-industries in the form of "bailouts" and Madoff singlehandedly swindled his clients out of a similar amount.

However – last week the U.S. government decided it could not afford to spend $50 billion to save and improve the lives of millions of men, women and children around the world. Instead, it cut almost $5 billion from the International Affairs Budget. This is an extremely dangerous and short-sighted move by Congress.

The International Affairs Budget funds essential diplomatic and development programs that improve the lives of millions of people around the world, while protecting our national security, promoting economic prosperity, and demonstrating our humanitarian values. Secretary Clinton, Secretary Gates and other respected military leaders support increased funding for the International Affairs Budget as essential to national security and to implementing a "smart power" strategy in U.S. foreign policy.

A mere 1.4% of the entire FY10 Budget request, our nation cannot afford to shortchange these vital programs, especially during these difficult economic times. Our support for the Kerry-Lugar Amendment to restore critical funding to the International Affairs Budget will ensure America has the "smart power" tools and resources it needs to strengthen U.S. national interests and restore America's image abroad.

Senator Burr and Senator Hagan must support the Kerry-Lugar Amendment to restore the full FY10 International Affairs Budget in the Senate Budget Resolution and oppose any further cutting amendments.

We’re #1!

This is one race you don't want to win. Forbes Magazine today released the list of the world's most corrupt countries and guess which one made a return to the top? Yep, Chad. Check out the story by clicking here.

Chad even beat out its genocide-promoting neighbor, Sudan, to take top honors. My quick takes on this news:

• This explains why a country rolling in oil money can still not afford to pay its teachers and doctors.
  
•  From my experience, the rural populations are so marginalized, do they even realize they are being conned out of all this money?
  
• It's a sad day when the only way to succeed is by cheating and bribing – this turns even good people bad.
  
•  How does this affect the large humanitarian presence in Chad? Are the UN, World Relief, Doctors without Borders, etc playing along with corruption (justifying the means for the end) or are they taking a stand?
  

Not on Our Watch Broadcast

UPDATE - Unfortunately, the Triangle Community Church will not be hosting this broadcast this afternoon. Stay tuned for more opportunities.

Not on Our Watch - the organization started by George Clooney, Don Cheadle and Matt Damon - is hosting a live broadcast with an all-star cast of speakers aimed at the Christian community. 

Because of the urgent and critical nature of this crisis, the Christian Communication Network (CCN) will air a special LIVE broadcast on Sunday, March 29, 2009 from 6:00 - 7:45 pm ET/MT (5:00 - 6:45 pm CT/PT). This event is FREE to all churches with CCN equipment.  We encourage you to gather your community to learn what you can do to make a difference.

Featuring John Prendergast - human rights advocate and Co-Chair of the Enough Project, and Reverend Michael Slaughter - lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Ohio, Not On Our Watch will give audiences across North America:

• an understanding of the crisis in Darfur
• a deepened compassion for the lives affected
• a biblical perspective on why Christians should take action in Darfur
• a charge to pray
• and practical steps for how to make a difference

In the Raleigh, NC, metropolitan area, the only church showing this broadcast is the Triangle Community Church on 4216 Kildaire Farm Road in Apex, NC. 

Are you going?

First look: Sudanese president charged with genocide

Could this be the beginning of the end? Today, the International Criminal Court at the Hague issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for a five-year campaign of violence in Darfur. This is the first time a sitting head of state is charged for war crimes under this international tribunal.
(Link to story: http://tinyurl.com/dgsgpx)

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out in the world, in Sudan and especially, in the villages of Darfur. Here are two initial questions I have:
*Will it be enough? It’s only a warrant for an arrest and Sudan is not likely to simply hand over their head of state. No Western government will support going in an forcibly removing Bashir – so as long as he stays home, he is probably safe. However, will the international pressure and bad publicity drive Bashir to reform his ways? I want to say yes for the sake of my friends and their families who are suffering, but history doesn’t support hope in this case.
*Will Darfur get a backlash? How will Bashir and tribes loyal to him respond? I know they will lash out against the ICC and Western “colonial” powers – but I worry that there will also be retaliation against the men, women and children of Darfur in the form of even greater violence and suffering. The UN is already warning its people to be extra careful in the next few days. Can the AU troops protect the millions of refugees?

Only time will tell the effectiveness of this bold move by the ICC, but I for one and glad they took the first step – if only for the media coverage this will receive. It’s been months since Darfur was in the mainstream media and this will bring it back into focus, albeit briefly. Silence will only empower the perpetrators of injustice.

2009 Carl Wilkens Fellowship

I am excited and honored to be a 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow from the Genocide Intervention Network.

The Wilkens Fellowship is named for Carl Wilkens, the only American to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. The fellowship “gives emerging leaders the skills and networks they need to build in their communities sustained political will to end genocide. Over the course of the year, Wilkens Fellows receive leadership training, conflict and legislative education, organizing tools and resources, and one-on-one coaching.”

The 20 inaugural Wilkens Fellows were chosen from around the country to participate in this year-long, part-time program. I am excited to be a part of such a talented and motivated group of men and women, all of who are dedicated to ending genocide and mass atrocities. I believe this Fellowship will help me “raise the bar” in my own work to bring peace to Eastern Chad and Darfur, where my friends and their families are still struggling to survive.

*For more information on the fellowship or the Genocide Intervention Network, click here.

*To read the bios of the 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellows, click here.

Performances for Peace

CHECK OUT THIS UPCOMING EVENT - I'M GOING!

Performances for Peace: A Diary of Darfur
February 6, 2009 at 7 pm at UNC's Memorial Hall

By the time Emmanuel Jal was seven years old, he was already fighting in the rebel army in Sudan. For five years, he fought in Sudan's bloody civil war.

Today, he is a child soldier turned hip hop artist, channeling his childhood pain into songs. Jal will be speaking at UNC- Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall on February 6th at 7pm. In 2008, Jal released a new album, "Warchild," and has appeared in film festivals to promote an award-winning documentary on his life. His autobiography will be released in the Spring of 2009.

UNC Students United for Darfur Awareness Now (SUDAN), a committee of the Campus Y, is hosting "Performances for Peace: A Diary of Darfur" in the hopes that Jal's narrative will inspire a community dialogue about the current genocide in Darfur.

Tickets are $3 for students (K-12 and college) and $5 for non-students. Proceeds from the ticket price will go directly to aid current refugees living in dangerous conditions in Sudanese camps.

The UNC Loreleis, Modern Inversions, Zankiliwa, and EROT will open for Jal. Penn Badgley and Blake Lively, stars of The CW's "Gossip Girl," are tentatively planning on hosting the event.

*Tickets go on sale Jan. 29th at Memorial Hall Box Office and can also be bought in the Pit or from any SUDAN member*

No Home for the Holidays

*This is a guest entry by my wife, Sarah.

I can’t go see the place where my husband grew up and quite frankly I’m pissed off about it. This came to mind over the recent holidays when most people are visiting family, possibly going back to their hometowns. Some even go back to visit the same house their parents have lived for 30 years, the same house in which they grew up.

No such experience for me. Why? My husband grew up in Adre, on the edge of Chad and Sudan. Because of the genocide it’s not even safe to visit. This conflict has been going on since early 2003, which is about a year after we started dating. The last time he visited was Christmas break 2002-2003. I had the opportunity to go then, but not enough cash. If I had known what was to come, I would have gone anyway. At this time, the organization with which my husband’s family worked has deemed Adre too unsafe for their people to be working there.

Even if it were safe to visit his hometown, my husband assures me that the place would be completely changed. A nearby village called Farchana used to barely support a population of nearly 200 is now home to a UN refugee camp of 20,000. Think about what would happen if your hometown grew 100 times in less than 1 year.

So, next time you find yourself visiting your spouse’s hometown/old house, don’t complain - be thankful. Be grateful you have the opportunity to know that part of his/her history. Then go call your congressperson or donate money or do something to help the people who live in Darfur.
-Sarah