Another North-South Sudanese Conflict?

BBC: Armies ‘head for central Sudan’

Background
Sudan has been a nation of conflict ever since it gained independence from Great Britain. First, it was the north versus the south. The south, which is mostly Christian and animistic, fought two incredibly bloody civil wars to gain autonomy from the government-controlling, Sharia law-imposing, Muslim and ‘more Arab’ north. The conflict finally ended in 2005 after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed, giving the South more autonomy and the possibility of secession after a referendum in 2011. However, more recently, genocide backed by Khartoum in the western region of Sudan, Darfur, has received much more media attention. That does not mean the conflict between the North and South did not continue – far from it.

Recent escalations have occurred after new fighting in Abyei, an oil rich region. Control over the region has been a major point of conflict between the North and the South since the peace agreement was signed.

What can be done?
Well, not a lot, sadly. Buy a hybrid!

Why Would Darfur Rebels Attack AU Peacekeepers?

BBC: Darfur rebels 'behind AU attack'

What’s this? The rebels are behind the attack on African Union troops that are supposed to be protecting them? What’s up with that?

Professor Seth Weinberger has some truly excellent analysis over at his blog, Security Dilemnas.

But it's altogether likely that the rebels do, in fact, want the peacekeepers out. The rebels are those Darfur who have decided to take up arms against the Sudanese government in hopes of achieving greater political autonomy and protection, if not independence, for Darfur. The presence of peacekeepers, while perhaps sufficing to minimize or prevent the attacks against civilians that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more, will not serve to advance the larger political goal. If anything, the peacekeepers will serve to entrench the status quo by freezing the battlelines and political demands in place. They certainly will make it more difficult for the rebels to attain their larger political goals.

To sum it up, African Union troops make sure the status quo in Darfur does not change. That’s not the rebels’ goals. They want change, and the African Union isn’t helping them.

"Look! He's Gone And Set The Sky On Fire"

Credit: Cagle Cartoons

3 Plans for Darfur That Will Work

FOR A LETTER TO SENATOR KERRY REGARDING DARFUR SEE: Letter to Senator John Kerry on the Situation in Darfur



Some interesting ideas were proposed at the Democratic debate yesterday, not regarding Iraq, but Darfur. Here are three actions that could be taken that have the best chance of stopping the genocide.

1. Boycott the Chinese Olympics until China ends its support for the Sudanese government

China is easily the biggest backer of the Sudanese dictatorship. Taking them out of the equation would make ending the genocide much easier.

2. No fly zone over Sudan

This could be enforced along with trade sanctions. Without any money, Omar al-Bashir would surrender quickly. He can only get so much food for himself, right?

3. Send in troops

Under Chapter 7 of their constitution, the U.N. is allowed to use force if necessary. Sadly, war is likely the only way to stop the violence in Darfur. Both the Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide were only ended after war.

CNN New Hampshire 2008 Democratic Debate Notes

There was many differences between the candidates on dealing with Iraq, but besides that, they had very similar ideas.

John Edwards was very interesting in this debate, he was very aggressive. He was also sucking up to Obama.

Political Realm sums it up even better: Frontrunners Excel In Second Democratic Debate

Politics:
Edwards went on the offensive, specifically against Hillary
Edwards complimenting Obama a lot; vice president?
Clinton says differences between Democrats are small

Immigration:
Gravel only one who thinks English should be the official language

Iraq:
(Basically what the candidates have said before)
Gravel blames Democrats for war
Gravel says anyone who voted for war shouldn't be president

Health Care:
Most agree that health care is needed; details different (all or just children, etc.)

Don't Ask, Don't Tell:
Biden says Peter Pace is "flat wrong."

Energy:
Gravel/Dodd support carbon tax

Iran:
Edwards mentions how Iran used to support US, says use carrots (economic incentives) and sticks (economic sanctions if not accept incentives)

War on Terror:
Kucinich wouldn't launch airstrike against Bin Laden if might kill civilians; instead, wants to capture and try

Darfur:
Joe Biden wants to set up no fly zone over Sudan and to use force in Darfur but doesn't want to boycott
Richardson: "Maybe we won't go to the Olympics" if China doesn't stop supporting Sudan

Deficit/Earmarks:
Bill Richardson-Spend Iraq war money on domestics and line item veto and pay as you go constitutional amendment
Kucinich says get out of WTO

Top Priorities First 100 Days:
Edwards-fix what America looks like abroad
Clinton-Bring troops home (applause)
Obama-Bring troops home; healthcare (quickly)
Richardson-education: full day kindergaten, minimum wage for teachers (40,000), preschool for all
Biden-End War in Iraq, fix Korea, fix Iran
Kucinich-"reshape the world for peace", get rid of nukes, cancel NAFTA, cancel WTO, get healthcare
Gravel-? Didn't really say anything
Dodd-Fix constitutional rights (Guantanamo)

Letter to Senator John Kerry on the Situation in Darfur

November 28, 2006

Senator John F. Kerry

304 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

3^rd Floor

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Kerry,

Although you are busy, please a take a moment to read this letter. Recently a speaker from Rwanda spoke to a group of activists. Her name was Sifa, and she told this group about her experience in the genocide in Rwanda. She also speaks for those dying of malnutrition, disease, and slaughter in an ongoing genocide, the non-Arab of Sudan. The tragedy is an atrocity and must be stopped. As the sole superpower in the world, the U.S. has the responsibility to stop these horrendous killings. While understanding the U.S. has done a lot compared to other countries; being the first to call the genocide a genocide, putting pressure on the U.N. and Sudan to stop the killing, etc; in contrast to what the U.S. could be doing, it isn’t enough. Sifa complains there are political complications. Are political desires really valued the same as lives of over 300,000 people and growing? Each person had a family, friends, a life, and was special. The genocide in Sudan needs to be ended.

The ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region of Sudan is horrible, and can only be expected to get worse. Over 300,000 people have been killed. The world should care for those who are being killed, tortured and raped in Sudan. Imagine if 300,000 people were killed in the United States. There would be outrage around the world, and something would be done. The world does not want another Rwanda. This is a modern Holocaust. While it’s still possible and while there are still Sudanese left to save the world needs to end the genocide. Everyone should care because of the suffering the native Sudanese go through. In the refugee camps, they are tortured by hunger, dehydration, malady, climate, grief of lost loved ones, rape and injury. If it is possible for anyone to do something about this unacceptable event, they have the right and the responsibility to do so. You have the power to do something, and you should.

Not only should you care as a human being, but as a senator of the United States. If you could help stop the genocide, there would be political benefits. You would gain support from humanitarian groups, and others who are glad about the end of a reign of terror. After Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, it would be good for the U.S. to demonstrate it won’t stand for abuses of human rights and doesn’t want these abuses to occur. Although there may be reasons for not dealing with the killing of non-Arab Sudanese, there is no way it can outweigh the killing of 300,000 innocent lives.

There are several things you can do because you are in a position of influence. Just because you are known and have so much influence, just promoting awareness helps the cause. Endorsing groups, such as Amnesty International that are attempting to end the conflict also gives aid. The largest move you could make is sponsoring a bill in Congress. This bill could have different possible objectives, including sanctions or possibly even sending troops there. Sending troops would almost certainly be impossible, with our valiant troops already fighting two wars. Any of these suggestions would be a great aid to the cause of stopping the killing in Darfur, Sudan.

The genocide in Sudan is not only Sudan’s or Africa’s problem. It is the world’s problem. Something has to be done to stop this intolerable act of injustice. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this.