Today the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor named a Sudanese minister and a militia commander as the first suspects he wants tried for war crimes in Darfur and suggested more could follow. This is huge for several reasons:
1) This is the first time a sitting government official has been named as a suspect for crimes against humanity.
2) This is the first time individuals are being held accountable for the murders of my friends in Darfur
3) The ICC normally only acts if the "host nation judicial system is incapable of bringing justice." If the ICC proceeds, it sends a clear message that the Sudanese government has been complicit in the murders.
4) This new attention will up the ante for the Sudanese governement and will make them think twice before encouraging more attacks.
The two people named (and more could come) are Ahmed Haroun, state interior minister during the height of the Darfur conflict, and militia commander Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb. Kushayb is said to have personally inspected a group of naked women before his men in uniform raped them. Haroun is reported to have personally delivered weapons, ammunition and funding to the Janjaweed.
All told, the chief prosecutor named them in 51 counts of alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in 2003 and 2004.
This small initial step sends a very strong message that the world is noticing the crisis and will not tolerate it. However, there is still much to be done. First of all, the ICC needs to pursue this and ensure that these two men have charges brought against them if the facts are there. The investigation team gathered over 100 witness statements in 70 trips to 17 countries compiling the evidence. This due diligence should be rewarded with action.
We cannot become complacent, or rest on this success. The crisis in Darfur is a chaotic, fractured mess and many, many more men are responsible for the violence. In order to prevent my friends from being raped, killed and run out their homes, justice must continue.
I urge you to take action, urging the international community (and especially the US) to support the ICC's efforts and continue to increase the pressure on Sudan.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
UNC Taking Action
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has always had an active student body - and this latest generation is no different. Next week starts a Week of Action for Darfur and it begins on Monday, with a vigil and then presentation by yours truly. I have been asked to give a 30-40 minute presentation about the situation for my friends in Darfur. It will be mostly stories in an attempt to "bring the conflict close to home." If you are available, you should come check it out.
When: Monday, Feb. 26.
What: Vigil at 6:30 p.m. and presentation at 8:00 pm
Where: PIT and Student Union on UNC's campus
Hope to see you there!
When: Monday, Feb. 26.
What: Vigil at 6:30 p.m. and presentation at 8:00 pm
Where: PIT and Student Union on UNC's campus
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Repost: Evacuation is not an option
Have you ever been terrified? I’m not talking about scary movie jitters. No, I am referring to the feelings that wash over you as you crouch behind a thorn bush desperately trying to go unnoticed by masked gunmen. It’s the kind of terror that comes with having no control over a deadly situation, knowing helplessly that if you are found, you will be tortured or even killed because of your natural skin color. It’s a fear that emanates from the inside and completely changes a person before it escapes the body through the eyes.
Unfortunately, this kind of primal terror caused by being helpless in the face of brutality is far too common among the men, women and children of the world. Westerners, like myself, growing up in Africa, Asia and South America have all been witnesses to such crime. However, as ex-patriots we tend to have a great advantage over the local population - when crisis hits, most of us have the luxury of evacuation. We get whisked away out of harm’s way while our native friends, classmates, and neighbors are left behind to survive. Granted, some families decide to stay put and ‘ride out the storm,’ but many wisely take the opportunity to move to safer grounds.
I remember my own personal evacuation story. It happened in 1990 when a rebel group was making a successful march across the country. My family was enjoying a peaceful night under the African stars when we were interrupted by thunderous bangs on our front gate. My father was greeted by two French Military soldiers who informed us we had only twenty minutes to pack our bags and get out of town before fighting began.
The next thing I know, I am bouncing around on a bench in the bowels of a windowless French military cargo plane. We were packed like sardines and unable to talk over the noise of the engines. I had nothing to do but stare at the scared faces of those sitting all around me. However, the faces that still haunt me are not those that surrounded me in the safe – albeit uncomfortable – confines of the airplane. No, the faces that I remember most are the ones of the local women and children desperately fighting for a chance to board our plane. As we boarded, soldiers fought back a mob of scared citizens desperately desiring to be saved from the coming bloodshed. They wanted to get on the plane as well, but there was no more room – it was full of fleeing ex-patriots. The tears of the mothers clutching their children as they were denied safety stick with me to this day. They were terrified, at the mercy of the rebels and helping them was out of my control.
That same feeling is back.
Over the past three years – in what the UN has called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis – over 300,000 of my friends have been slaughtered and over 1.5 million of them have been forced to flee in terror. They cannot evacuate like those of us from the West.
Innocent civilians are helplessly being hunted down and slaughtered for their skin color. If we, all of us - including you - continue to sit back and let this genocide unfold, we will all be held accountable for their extinction. History will judge you by your response. Please - save my friends. Save your neighbors. Save Darfur & Eastern Chad.
Unfortunately, this kind of primal terror caused by being helpless in the face of brutality is far too common among the men, women and children of the world. Westerners, like myself, growing up in Africa, Asia and South America have all been witnesses to such crime. However, as ex-patriots we tend to have a great advantage over the local population - when crisis hits, most of us have the luxury of evacuation. We get whisked away out of harm’s way while our native friends, classmates, and neighbors are left behind to survive. Granted, some families decide to stay put and ‘ride out the storm,’ but many wisely take the opportunity to move to safer grounds.
I remember my own personal evacuation story. It happened in 1990 when a rebel group was making a successful march across the country. My family was enjoying a peaceful night under the African stars when we were interrupted by thunderous bangs on our front gate. My father was greeted by two French Military soldiers who informed us we had only twenty minutes to pack our bags and get out of town before fighting began.
The next thing I know, I am bouncing around on a bench in the bowels of a windowless French military cargo plane. We were packed like sardines and unable to talk over the noise of the engines. I had nothing to do but stare at the scared faces of those sitting all around me. However, the faces that still haunt me are not those that surrounded me in the safe – albeit uncomfortable – confines of the airplane. No, the faces that I remember most are the ones of the local women and children desperately fighting for a chance to board our plane. As we boarded, soldiers fought back a mob of scared citizens desperately desiring to be saved from the coming bloodshed. They wanted to get on the plane as well, but there was no more room – it was full of fleeing ex-patriots. The tears of the mothers clutching their children as they were denied safety stick with me to this day. They were terrified, at the mercy of the rebels and helping them was out of my control.
That same feeling is back.
Over the past three years – in what the UN has called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis – over 300,000 of my friends have been slaughtered and over 1.5 million of them have been forced to flee in terror. They cannot evacuate like those of us from the West.
Innocent civilians are helplessly being hunted down and slaughtered for their skin color. If we, all of us - including you - continue to sit back and let this genocide unfold, we will all be held accountable for their extinction. History will judge you by your response. Please - save my friends. Save your neighbors. Save Darfur & Eastern Chad.
The Water Boys
Sometimes at night I can still imagine the pounding drum beat of a water boy. This rhythmic pounding is the lifeline of an entire community. In the Darfur region of the world there is no running water. Water comes either from the drying central lake or deep wells dug in dry riverbeds. These sources are often far from the showers and washrooms where the water is needed, and that is where the Water Boys come in. A Water Boy is a career that provides the link between the supply and the demand. Please, allow me to describe to you a water boy:
Meet Ibrahim. His hair is tightly braided and his skin is freshly oiled. He rises early in the morning and steps outside his dark hut, squinting at the already bright sun. He shakes some coals and a few weak embers rise. He quickly inserts some dry reeds and a flicker of a flame gives him hope for a hot breakfast. He heats some medidi (a drinkable rice and sugar mixture) and gobbles it down. He knows he needs his strength for the day ahead.
Once his stomach is satisfied, he makes his way through some thorn trees and over some brown grass to the animal pen. He unlatches the goatskin lock and swings open the branch that is doubling as a gate. He enters and approaches his capital investment - a donkey.
The donkey is ornery this morning and backs away from Ibrahim. He shakes his hand and turns his body, as if he is threatening to turn Ibrahim'’s day sour with one swift kick to the midsection. Ibrahim grabs him by his mane and calms him down.
"Agod sakit (Stay still)" he begs the large animal. Finally, with the donkey'’s jitters gone, Ibrahim reaches for a heavy burlap sack and places it on the animal's back. Then follows a coarse pad made of woven straw, a blanket and then a wooden saddle. This saddle is not ordinary for a bar is placed across where a human normally sits. This saddle is not made for joy rides, this is business.
The last touch to add to his steed is the most important piece of equipment - the water sack. This equipment is made out of leather and sits on the saddle. It actually has two large sacks, one sits on either side of the donkey. At the top there is one opening that leads to both sacks and that the bottom corner of each sack is a tied-off opening.
Ibrahim adds the other two essentials tools of the trade -– large buckets and a wooden stick - and he is ready for his commute to work. He makes his way through the quiet streets, through back alleys and under archways. Each house’'s front yard is surrounded by large, mud-brick walls.
He arrives at the well and stands in line. He makes his way closer and closer and pays the Well Master a small fee. He attaches his buckets to the rope and lowers them in to the well. Seconds after they hit the bottom with a splash, he strains and tugs and works the buckets back up to the surface. Once at the top, he empties them into the sacks on the donkey. He repeats this until both sacks are bulging full, seeping water, and the donkey teetering a bit from the load. Then, it's off to make money.
Unless he has specific clients - people who prearrange for his water delivery service -– he has to roam the streets looking for buyers. The way he lets people know that he is walking past their large compound walls is by beating his stick against his buckets. Bang- Bang - Bang. Now the whole block knows a water boy is near.
No luck here so he continues to the next block where a young girl sprints out of her family's gate and calls him over. She points him over to the family barrels where he parks the donkey. Now comes the trickiest part of his job as he must untie the opening to the sacks one at a time and empty the water into his bucket. Then, he must empty his bucket into the barrel. He must do this all while dealing with a donkey who simply doesn't enjoy the task at hand. So Ibrahim gallantly grabs the tie and lets some water through, the donkey jolts and sends water (money) crashing to the dry ground. Ibrahim readjusts and tries again. On his fourth or fifth time, he gets a full bucket. He ties off the sack and dumps it in the barrel. Once the barrel is full, the young girl pays him and he is done.
It's off again to the well, to continue his job as the town'’s plumbing system -– yet another way the people of Darfur have ingeniously beaten the odds.
In Darfur, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Survival is not an option and the people are so creative. They manage to find a solution to every problem. They reuse everything and waste nothing. These very people are now the victims of genocide. Please, help me take a stand for them and end their unjust murders.
Meet Ibrahim. His hair is tightly braided and his skin is freshly oiled. He rises early in the morning and steps outside his dark hut, squinting at the already bright sun. He shakes some coals and a few weak embers rise. He quickly inserts some dry reeds and a flicker of a flame gives him hope for a hot breakfast. He heats some medidi (a drinkable rice and sugar mixture) and gobbles it down. He knows he needs his strength for the day ahead.
Once his stomach is satisfied, he makes his way through some thorn trees and over some brown grass to the animal pen. He unlatches the goatskin lock and swings open the branch that is doubling as a gate. He enters and approaches his capital investment - a donkey.
The donkey is ornery this morning and backs away from Ibrahim. He shakes his hand and turns his body, as if he is threatening to turn Ibrahim'’s day sour with one swift kick to the midsection. Ibrahim grabs him by his mane and calms him down.
"Agod sakit (Stay still)" he begs the large animal. Finally, with the donkey'’s jitters gone, Ibrahim reaches for a heavy burlap sack and places it on the animal's back. Then follows a coarse pad made of woven straw, a blanket and then a wooden saddle. This saddle is not ordinary for a bar is placed across where a human normally sits. This saddle is not made for joy rides, this is business.
The last touch to add to his steed is the most important piece of equipment - the water sack. This equipment is made out of leather and sits on the saddle. It actually has two large sacks, one sits on either side of the donkey. At the top there is one opening that leads to both sacks and that the bottom corner of each sack is a tied-off opening.
Ibrahim adds the other two essentials tools of the trade -– large buckets and a wooden stick - and he is ready for his commute to work. He makes his way through the quiet streets, through back alleys and under archways. Each house’'s front yard is surrounded by large, mud-brick walls.
He arrives at the well and stands in line. He makes his way closer and closer and pays the Well Master a small fee. He attaches his buckets to the rope and lowers them in to the well. Seconds after they hit the bottom with a splash, he strains and tugs and works the buckets back up to the surface. Once at the top, he empties them into the sacks on the donkey. He repeats this until both sacks are bulging full, seeping water, and the donkey teetering a bit from the load. Then, it's off to make money.
Unless he has specific clients - people who prearrange for his water delivery service -– he has to roam the streets looking for buyers. The way he lets people know that he is walking past their large compound walls is by beating his stick against his buckets. Bang- Bang - Bang. Now the whole block knows a water boy is near.
No luck here so he continues to the next block where a young girl sprints out of her family's gate and calls him over. She points him over to the family barrels where he parks the donkey. Now comes the trickiest part of his job as he must untie the opening to the sacks one at a time and empty the water into his bucket. Then, he must empty his bucket into the barrel. He must do this all while dealing with a donkey who simply doesn't enjoy the task at hand. So Ibrahim gallantly grabs the tie and lets some water through, the donkey jolts and sends water (money) crashing to the dry ground. Ibrahim readjusts and tries again. On his fourth or fifth time, he gets a full bucket. He ties off the sack and dumps it in the barrel. Once the barrel is full, the young girl pays him and he is done.
It's off again to the well, to continue his job as the town'’s plumbing system -– yet another way the people of Darfur have ingeniously beaten the odds.
In Darfur, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Survival is not an option and the people are so creative. They manage to find a solution to every problem. They reuse everything and waste nothing. These very people are now the victims of genocide. Please, help me take a stand for them and end their unjust murders.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Panel discussion at NC State
Next Monday, Feb. 5, I will be a guest panelist during North Carolina State's Darfur Awareness Week. This week of activities includes a showing of "Darfur Diaries," the panel discussions and a keynote speech by NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.
Below is the press release:
"North Carolina State University will host guest speaker Nicholas D. Kristof, Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 PM in Nelson Auditorium (Room 3400). Kristof is a New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author. His talk will be entitled “The First Genocide of the 21st Century: Report on Darfur.” This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available at the nearby Dan Allen Parking Deck.
Mr. Kristof began writing for the New York Times in 1984. In 1990 he and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, also a Times journalist, won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of China’s Tiananmen Square democracy movement. In 2006 Kristof won a second Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He is generally credited with bringing the Darfur tragedy to the attention of the America public. Kristof has lived on four continents and traveled to over 120 countries. During his travels, he has had unpleasant experiences with malaria, wars, an Indonesian mob carrying heads on pikes, and an African plane crash.
NC State will host a “Darfur Awareness Week” from Tuesday, January 30 until Tuesday, January 6. Fundraising will be done during this week for the Save Darfur Coalition. Donations can be made from 10AM - 2PM at the NC State brickyard.. Cash and check donations will be accepted. Willing donors can also contribute via credit card at:. Every penny helps.
On Thursday, February 1, the award winning documentary, Darfur Diaries, will be shown in the Erdahl-Cloyd Theater in D.H. Hill Library at 7:30 PM. The film will be followed by a short discussion led by Professor Anna Bigelow, Department of Philosophy and Religion. This event is free and open to the public.
On Monday, February 5, there will be a panel discussion, “Perspectives on the Darfur Crisis,” starting at 7:30 PM in Withers Room 232-A. Panelists will include Professor Andrew Reynolds, Department of Political Science, UNC-Chapel Hill; Haywood Rankin, U.S. Diplomat; hydrogeologist Mansour Malik; and Darfur activist Scott Sutton. The panel will be moderated by Professor Craig Brookins, Director of Africana Studies, NC State. This event is free and open to the public.
These events are made possible with the help of the School of Public and International Affairs, NC State University, the Park Scholarships Program, NC State University, and the Political Science Club, NC State University."
If you are in the area, please support these students and these events.
Thanks,
Scott
Below is the press release:
"North Carolina State University will host guest speaker Nicholas D. Kristof, Tuesday, February 6 at 7:30 PM in Nelson Auditorium (Room 3400). Kristof is a New York Times columnist and Pulitzer Prize winning author. His talk will be entitled “The First Genocide of the 21st Century: Report on Darfur.” This event is free and open to the public. Parking is available at the nearby Dan Allen Parking Deck.
Mr. Kristof began writing for the New York Times in 1984. In 1990 he and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, also a Times journalist, won a Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of China’s Tiananmen Square democracy movement. In 2006 Kristof won a second Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He is generally credited with bringing the Darfur tragedy to the attention of the America public. Kristof has lived on four continents and traveled to over 120 countries. During his travels, he has had unpleasant experiences with malaria, wars, an Indonesian mob carrying heads on pikes, and an African plane crash.
NC State will host a “Darfur Awareness Week” from Tuesday, January 30 until Tuesday, January 6. Fundraising will be done during this week for the Save Darfur Coalition. Donations can be made from 10AM - 2PM at the NC State brickyard.. Cash and check donations will be accepted. Willing donors can also contribute via credit card at:
On Thursday, February 1, the award winning documentary, Darfur Diaries, will be shown in the Erdahl-Cloyd Theater in D.H. Hill Library at 7:30 PM. The film will be followed by a short discussion led by Professor Anna Bigelow, Department of Philosophy and Religion. This event is free and open to the public.
On Monday, February 5, there will be a panel discussion, “Perspectives on the Darfur Crisis,” starting at 7:30 PM in Withers Room 232-A. Panelists will include Professor Andrew Reynolds, Department of Political Science, UNC-Chapel Hill; Haywood Rankin, U.S. Diplomat; hydrogeologist Mansour Malik; and Darfur activist Scott Sutton. The panel will be moderated by Professor Craig Brookins, Director of Africana Studies, NC State. This event is free and open to the public.
These events are made possible with the help of the School of Public and International Affairs, NC State University, the Park Scholarships Program, NC State University, and the Political Science Club, NC State University."
If you are in the area, please support these students and these events.
Thanks,
Scott
A small step for the AU, one giant leap for my friends...
This week, the African Union denied Sudan the priviledge of being the AU's leader for this upcoming year. This comes after Sudan had unofficially been promised the position last year. All eyes were on the AU to see what they would do and thankfully they made a smart decision.
To put Sudan in charge of the AU (who in turn is in charge of protecting the Darfur civilians being killed by the Sudan governement) would be like electing the head of the mafia to be the town's police chief. Or like nominating Osama Bin Laden to be the Chief Judge on the Human Rights Tribunal. Placing a dictator/chief of state (you pick) whose regime is actively and passively supporting the calculated extermination of its own people in charge of a peacekeeping organization would be disaster.
The AU is a fledgling organization, which in my opinion, holds the best hope for Africa's future. The only way it will ever have the influence and credibility needed to unite Africa, rebuild Africa and move Africa forward is if it takes a firm stance on Darfur. The AU must lead the charge against genocide, proving Africans are capable of caring for their own brothers and sisters and are committed to ending the war.
The road ahead in Darfur is long and difficult for the AU, but by denying Sudan the presidency, it made sure at least it stayed on the right path for now. This small gesture by the AU now will have a huge in the future.
To put Sudan in charge of the AU (who in turn is in charge of protecting the Darfur civilians being killed by the Sudan governement) would be like electing the head of the mafia to be the town's police chief. Or like nominating Osama Bin Laden to be the Chief Judge on the Human Rights Tribunal. Placing a dictator/chief of state (you pick) whose regime is actively and passively supporting the calculated extermination of its own people in charge of a peacekeeping organization would be disaster.
The AU is a fledgling organization, which in my opinion, holds the best hope for Africa's future. The only way it will ever have the influence and credibility needed to unite Africa, rebuild Africa and move Africa forward is if it takes a firm stance on Darfur. The AU must lead the charge against genocide, proving Africans are capable of caring for their own brothers and sisters and are committed to ending the war.
The road ahead in Darfur is long and difficult for the AU, but by denying Sudan the presidency, it made sure at least it stayed on the right path for now. This small gesture by the AU now will have a huge in the future.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Progress in Darfur?
Some rare good news: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson just released a joint statement with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir that, if implemented, would bring some immediate security and relief to the people of Darfur as well as provide a clear path forward to long-term peace in the region.
Save Darfur asked Governor Richardson to travel to Sudan to discuss ways to secure peace in Darfur and to end the genocide. The Governor was accompanied by Save Darfur Senior International Coordinator Ambassador (ret.) Lawrence Rossin, Refugees International Executive Director Kenneth Bacon, and Public and International Law and Policy Group senior attorney Amjad Atallah. Since Sunday, when they arrived in Khartoum, Governor Richardson and the delegation have visited Darfur and participated in a variety of meetings with government officials, rebel leaders, humanitarian officials, AU commanders and UN officials.
The promises from President Bashir in this agreement are encouraging. They include commitments to:
*A 60-day ceasefire with an international peace summit to be held before March 15, 2007.
*Sudan's cooperation to work with the African Union and United Nations on the deployment of a hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur.
*Ensuring "zero tolerance" policies for gender-based violence in Darfur.
*Free access for humanitarian aid workers and journalists.
This news is very promising - but without swift action, the deal is only as valuable as the paper it was printed on. People - my friends - in Darfur are used to promises and overtures from heads of states. What they really care about, and what we should really care about, are the actions on the ground.
Real progress would be a night without gunshots ringing across the desert. Progress would be the ability to walk to a well to get clean water without fear of rape. Progress would be new seeds distributed to start new fields before this year's rainy season. Progress would be refugees streaming out of camps instead of into them.
On the upside, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has now completed two successful negotiations with Sudan (he freed National Geographic reporter Salopek last year). This means he has done more than the President and more than the UN Secretary General together as far as real results with the Sudanese goverment go. More than just a signed piece of paper, this peace agreement speaks to a real relationship between two leaders - and relationships will go a lot farther in the high stakes world of ending mass genocide than empty threats and sanctions.
Kudos to Richardson for getting on a plane, flying across the ocean and investing in the relationship. And good for him for thinking about more than just his constituents in New Mexico - understanding the importance of being a global citizen. Although the true success of his efforts will be measured only in saved lives, this is finally some decent news for Save Darfur activists and my friends in Chad and Sudan.
Save Darfur asked Governor Richardson to travel to Sudan to discuss ways to secure peace in Darfur and to end the genocide. The Governor was accompanied by Save Darfur Senior International Coordinator Ambassador (ret.) Lawrence Rossin, Refugees International Executive Director Kenneth Bacon, and Public and International Law and Policy Group senior attorney Amjad Atallah. Since Sunday, when they arrived in Khartoum, Governor Richardson and the delegation have visited Darfur and participated in a variety of meetings with government officials, rebel leaders, humanitarian officials, AU commanders and UN officials.
The promises from President Bashir in this agreement are encouraging. They include commitments to:
*A 60-day ceasefire with an international peace summit to be held before March 15, 2007.
*Sudan's cooperation to work with the African Union and United Nations on the deployment of a hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur.
*Ensuring "zero tolerance" policies for gender-based violence in Darfur.
*Free access for humanitarian aid workers and journalists.
This news is very promising - but without swift action, the deal is only as valuable as the paper it was printed on. People - my friends - in Darfur are used to promises and overtures from heads of states. What they really care about, and what we should really care about, are the actions on the ground.
Real progress would be a night without gunshots ringing across the desert. Progress would be the ability to walk to a well to get clean water without fear of rape. Progress would be new seeds distributed to start new fields before this year's rainy season. Progress would be refugees streaming out of camps instead of into them.
On the upside, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has now completed two successful negotiations with Sudan (he freed National Geographic reporter Salopek last year). This means he has done more than the President and more than the UN Secretary General together as far as real results with the Sudanese goverment go. More than just a signed piece of paper, this peace agreement speaks to a real relationship between two leaders - and relationships will go a lot farther in the high stakes world of ending mass genocide than empty threats and sanctions.
Kudos to Richardson for getting on a plane, flying across the ocean and investing in the relationship. And good for him for thinking about more than just his constituents in New Mexico - understanding the importance of being a global citizen. Although the true success of his efforts will be measured only in saved lives, this is finally some decent news for Save Darfur activists and my friends in Chad and Sudan.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Moving to NC - staying strong in activism
In the time that I have not been writing on this blog, I have been uprooting my life in Florida and moving to North Carolina. The move was made for work and life issues - not for Darfur activism - but it will certainly help. A whole new world of opportunities are now available and I am eager to get started. In Florida I had almost exhausted all my opportunites in my area for raising awareness. I spoke at Stetson University and the University of Florida, two benefit concerts, conducted media interviews and had several editorials published. The Triangle area of NC is close to several active universities, large media markets and a more vibrant social activism scene.
In the meantime, I have been staying abreast of the issues, developments and heart-wrenching violence that is continuing to spill over into my old streets. In fact, an email I received from a friend over there said it was the worst period of chaos and fear that she has seen in her 18 years in Chad. When this battle-hardened woman says this, you KNOW that the situation is really bad.
I am looking for any way to spread the word, share my life stories and most importantly, raise awareness about my friends who are dying in Darfur. If you are interested in chatting with me, email suttonsa@gmail.com
In the meantime, I have been staying abreast of the issues, developments and heart-wrenching violence that is continuing to spill over into my old streets. In fact, an email I received from a friend over there said it was the worst period of chaos and fear that she has seen in her 18 years in Chad. When this battle-hardened woman says this, you KNOW that the situation is really bad.
I am looking for any way to spread the word, share my life stories and most importantly, raise awareness about my friends who are dying in Darfur. If you are interested in chatting with me, email suttonsa@gmail.com
Sunday, September 24, 2006
The good, the bad and the ugly
Recent weeks have brought some interesting developments to the crisis
in Darfur. Everything from increased attention to steadfast
dictators, September has been an eventful month. Allow me to recap:
THE GOOD:
-The level of awareness of the deplorable situation of my friends in
Darfur is reaching an all-time high. Pres. Bush addressed the issue
in his UN speech, the Global Day for Darfur was a success with
thousands of people coming together around the globe, media covered
George Clooney's testimony in from of the US government and more and
more groups across the world are raising awareness.
-These are all positive developments because the world leaders will
not take action on an issue that their constituents don't care about.
In order for the Western world to care about Darfur, they must learn
the truth.
THE BAD:
-The Sudanese government has refused to allow UN peacekeeping troops
from deploying in Darfur. This is blatant disregard for the safety
and security of their own people. Each time they block what is best
for the preventing violence, they become complicit in the murders.
THE UGLY:
-For a while, it looked like Sudan was going to demand that AU troops
leave Darfur when their mandate expired at the end of September.
Thanks to political intervention at the UN last week, the Sudanese
have agreed to allow the African Union to extend the mandate of the
7,000 poorly equipped troops currently providing security.
Although the security is dismal, some security is better than no security.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Journalist freed, millions still suffering
In an "about face" for the Sudanese government, the US journalist (and
adult Third Culture Kid) Paul Salopek was released after being accused
of spying in Sudan. This release came after pressure from US
diplomats and Paul's wife. This release is welcome news, especially
as Paul is an innocent man.
What sickens me about this release, however, is the fact that the
Sudanese government claimed it released Paul as a "humanitarian
gesture" according to news reports. This is utterly hypocritical.
For the last three years, Sudan has had the option to extend a
"humanitarian gesture" to the more than 2.5 million citizens that have
been forced to flee. Since 2003, over 400,000 people - my friends -
have been murdered as a result of the Janjaweed's ethnic cleansing
campaign. The Sudanese government is complicit in these crimes no
matter what they say, because either they have control over the
Janjaweed and order them to stop (which they haven't done) or they do
not have control over the Janjaweed but could give permission for UN
peacekeepers to stop the violence (which they haven't done either).
This release of the journalist is a good move because it was the right
move - the other right move is to bring peace back to Darfur, allow
the refugees to return home, and bring the perpetrators of rape and
murder to justice. This is truly the only "humanitarian gesture" that
will matter in the years to come.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
10 Days for Darfur begins today...
The international effort to increases awareness about the crisis in
Darfur gets kicked off today with the first of ten "Days for Darfur"
culminating in the huge Rally for Darfur in New York City on Sept. 17.
Although I am still here in Florida, I am doing my best to be a part
of the actions being done on behalf of my friends. I encourage
everyone to take advantage of this mass mobilization. Jump on the
bandwagon - and help bring much-needed attention to the genocide.
Check out the Save Darfur Coalition for tons of ideas on how to give a
voice to the voiceless.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Welcome Among World readers
Today the article I wrote for Among Worlds, the magazone for adult
Third Culture Kids, hits mailboxes around the world. It is my hope
that what I wrote from the heart will spur fellow adult TCKs to think
about the crisis in Darfur, evaluate your role in world events and
perhaps even prompt some of you to lend a voice to the voiceless.
If you read the article, feel free to post a comment here in response.
Don't worry, all comments are welcome even if you disagree!
Thanks,
Scott
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Reporter charged for spying in Sudan
CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- A Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign
correspondent for the Chicago Tribune was charged in a Sudanese court
Saturday with espionage and other crimes.
Paul Salopek, 44, was charged in a 40-minute hearing with espionage,
passing information illegally and writing "false news," the Tribune
reported on its Web site. His driver and interpreter, both Chadian
nationals, faced the same charges.
For more of this story, click here:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/08/26/reporter.sudan.ap/index.html
Sunday, July 30, 2006
New Zealand helps save my friends
New Zealand is to provide additional aid to help alleviate the
humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
The Government has announced it will contribute $1.5 million to the
United Nations World Food Programme to support its work in the Sudan.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the grant will help provide for
the half million people that depend on the Food Programme.
This is a step in the right direction. Every person in the entire
universe who does not go to bed worrying about being raped or
slaughtered in the morning should rise up and help my friends that are
dying over there.
Scott
Monday, July 24, 2006
Post recognizes dire situation in Sudan
An excerpt from the Washington Post editorial page:
"THE GENOCIDE in Sudan's western territory of Darfur shows no sign of
ending. Diplomatic efforts to convert the underpowered African Union
peacekeeping force into a somewhat more serious United Nations one
have stalled. The Bush administration's point man on the crisis,
Robert B. Zoellick, has left the State Department for Wall Street, and
a fragile agreement he negotiated has failed to improve anything for
Darfur's vulnerable people. It's good that, even as the world's
attention has shifted to Lebanon, President Bush met Thursday with
Salva Kiir Mayardit, the leader of the southern Sudanese rebel group
that fought the northern government for 21 years until a peace deal
last year. But nothing about Mr. Kiir's message is encouraging."
At least one media outlet is still giving space to the worst
humanitariaran crisis in the world. It seems like Lebanon has
dominated all the news and shocked reporters list off numbers like
500,000 refugees and 200 killed. What about the 2.5 MILLION refugees
in Chad/Sudan and the 400,000 DEAD?? Death and injustice is not
appropriate anywhere in the world, and I wish peace on the Middle
East...but c'mon people! The Middle East "crisis" is pithy compared
to the suffering and destruction in Darfur. And yet, you see no
shocked reporters standing in flak jackets reporting 'Live from the
Darfur Crisis, day 1,356" Instead, we rely on editorial pages to
carry the flag forward.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Barbaro vs. 400,000 humans
The emotional saga of Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby-winning worse who
injured himself in the Preakness, continues as he has developed a
"life-threatening infection." His doctor said his outlook is "poor"
but as long as the horse is not suffering, he will do whatever he can
to keep Barbaro alive.
Meanwhile, the "world's worst humanitarian crisis" is happening in
Darfur and no one is taking notice. Every major media outlet covers
Barbaro updates, but rarely do they chronicle the latest going on in
Eastern Chad and Darfur. This situation is worsening, my friends are
starving to death or being killed. Hundreds more of them are forced
to become refugees each day. Their suffering is real. Their
suffering is intense.
Barbaro is an animal being treated like a human being. The people of
Darfur are humans being treated as animals. Why is it that we are
more concerned about the fate of one horse versus the fate of 400,000
men, women and children?
Stand up for justice. Stand up for Darfur. Stand up for my friends.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Sudan Relief Jam a smashing success
A great big THANK YOU goes out to the teenagers of the Sudan Relief Fund from Valrico, Fla., who banded together and successfully organized an 8-hour long benefit concert. This concert was in a really fun venue (Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa), included some great musical talent, and accompanied by good food. But what really made it successful was the dedication of everyone present to look beyond themselves and find a place in their heart for my friends in Darfur.
I look forward to seeing on their website (on the right side of this page) how much money was finally raised. But the real value of the event will not be in dollar signs, but in eyes opened and hearts touched. The more people know and care, the greater chance my friends have of living to see another day.
Congratulations to everyone who defied American apathy and proved that a small group of concerned people really can make a difference in the world.
I look forward to seeing on their website (on the right side of this page) how much money was finally raised. But the real value of the event will not be in dollar signs, but in eyes opened and hearts touched. The more people know and care, the greater chance my friends have of living to see another day.
Congratulations to everyone who defied American apathy and proved that a small group of concerned people really can make a difference in the world.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Evacuation is not an option
Have you ever been terrified? I’m not talking about scary movie jitters. No, I am referring to the feelings that wash over you as you crouch behind a thorn bush desperately trying to go unnoticed by masked gunmen. It’s the kind of terror that comes with having no control over a deadly situation, knowing helplessly that if you are found, you will be tortured or even killed because of your natural skin color. It’s a fear that emanates from the inside and completely changes a person before it escapes the body through the eyes.
Unfortunately, this kind of primal terror caused by being helpless in the face of brutality is far too common among the men, women and children of the world. Westerners, like myself, growing up in Africa, Asia and South America have all been witnesses to such crime. However, as ex-patriots we tend to have a great advantage over the local population - when crisis hits, most of us have the luxury of evacuation. We get whisked away out of harm’s way while our native friends, classmates, and neighbors are left behind to survive. Granted, some families decide to stay put and ‘ride out the storm,’ but many wisely take the opportunity to move to safer grounds.
I remember my own personal evacuation story. It happened in 1990 when a rebel group was making a successful march across the country. My family was enjoying a peaceful night under the African stars when we were interrupted by thunderous bangs on our front gate. My father was greeted by two French Military soldiers who informed us we had only twenty minutes to pack our bags and get out of town before fighting began.
The next thing I know, I am bouncing around on a bench in the bowels of a windowless French military cargo plane. We were packed like sardines and unable to talk over the noise of the engines. I had nothing to do but stare at the scared faces of those sitting all around me. However, the faces that still haunt me are not those that surrounded me in the safe – albeit uncomfortable – confines of the airplane. No, the faces that I remember most are the ones of the local women and children desperately fighting for a chance to board our plane. As we boarded, soldiers fought back a mob of scared citizens desperately desiring to be saved from the coming bloodshed. They wanted to get on the plane as well, but there was no more room – it was full of fleeing ex-patriots. The tears of the mothers clutching their children as they were denied safety stick with me to this day. They were terrified, at the mercy of the rebels and helping them was out of my control.
That same feeling is back.
Over the past three years – in what the UN has called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis – over 300,000 of my friends have been slaughtered and over 1.5 million of them have been forced to flee in terror. They cannot evacuate like those of us from the West.
Innocent civilians are helplessly being hunted down and slaughtered for their skin color. If we, all of us - including you - continue to sit back and let this genocide unfold, we will all be held accountable for their extinction. History will judge you by your response. Please - save my friends. Save your neighbors. Save Darfur & Eastern Chad.
Unfortunately, this kind of primal terror caused by being helpless in the face of brutality is far too common among the men, women and children of the world. Westerners, like myself, growing up in Africa, Asia and South America have all been witnesses to such crime. However, as ex-patriots we tend to have a great advantage over the local population - when crisis hits, most of us have the luxury of evacuation. We get whisked away out of harm’s way while our native friends, classmates, and neighbors are left behind to survive. Granted, some families decide to stay put and ‘ride out the storm,’ but many wisely take the opportunity to move to safer grounds.
I remember my own personal evacuation story. It happened in 1990 when a rebel group was making a successful march across the country. My family was enjoying a peaceful night under the African stars when we were interrupted by thunderous bangs on our front gate. My father was greeted by two French Military soldiers who informed us we had only twenty minutes to pack our bags and get out of town before fighting began.
The next thing I know, I am bouncing around on a bench in the bowels of a windowless French military cargo plane. We were packed like sardines and unable to talk over the noise of the engines. I had nothing to do but stare at the scared faces of those sitting all around me. However, the faces that still haunt me are not those that surrounded me in the safe – albeit uncomfortable – confines of the airplane. No, the faces that I remember most are the ones of the local women and children desperately fighting for a chance to board our plane. As we boarded, soldiers fought back a mob of scared citizens desperately desiring to be saved from the coming bloodshed. They wanted to get on the plane as well, but there was no more room – it was full of fleeing ex-patriots. The tears of the mothers clutching their children as they were denied safety stick with me to this day. They were terrified, at the mercy of the rebels and helping them was out of my control.
That same feeling is back.
Over the past three years – in what the UN has called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis – over 300,000 of my friends have been slaughtered and over 1.5 million of them have been forced to flee in terror. They cannot evacuate like those of us from the West.
Innocent civilians are helplessly being hunted down and slaughtered for their skin color. If we, all of us - including you - continue to sit back and let this genocide unfold, we will all be held accountable for their extinction. History will judge you by your response. Please - save my friends. Save your neighbors. Save Darfur & Eastern Chad.
UN must police both Darfur and Chad - Amnesty
As the violent downward spiral in Eastern Chad - where I grew up - continues unabated, Amnesty International is calling upon the UN to send troops to this region as well. AI makes a good point that because the violence knows no borders, we cannot distinguish between Chad and Darfur anymore. To just look at solving the crisis in Darfur would be to ignore the hundreds of thousands of desperate people just minutes aways in Chad.
To read this article, click here.
To help save the lives of my friends, click on any of the links on the right side of this page.
To read this article, click here.
To help save the lives of my friends, click on any of the links on the right side of this page.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Violence spilling into Chad
Some of the most distressing news coming from Darfur in recent days is the word that the Janjaweed are carrying out regular attacks on Chadian soil. This shows that the crisis is far more than political, for the slaughter and rape has not stopped at the Chad-Sudan border but has spilled over, following the refugees. What is even more distressful to me is that the Janjaweed - the militias carrying out genocide against certain tribes - are now being aided in Chad by Chadian civilians.
This situation is continuing to spiral out of control. There is no security in Chad nor Sudan and this shows that the UN and the AU must look beyond the strict borders of Darfur to solve this crisis.
Please, they are my friends over there being raped in front of their husbands. These are real human beings, with lives and laughter and dreams just like you. Please continue to fight for their right to live in peace.
To read a Reuters report about the latest wave of Janjaweed attacks in Chad, click here.
This situation is continuing to spiral out of control. There is no security in Chad nor Sudan and this shows that the UN and the AU must look beyond the strict borders of Darfur to solve this crisis.
Please, they are my friends over there being raped in front of their husbands. These are real human beings, with lives and laughter and dreams just like you. Please continue to fight for their right to live in peace.
To read a Reuters report about the latest wave of Janjaweed attacks in Chad, click here.
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