Darfur Still Isn’t Saved (and Neither is South Sudan)

As other world crises, especially in Syria, command the attention of world leaders and human rights advocates, the government of Sudan is increasing its ongoing atrocities against the civilians of the Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions of the country.

The attacks began in Darfur in 2003, when the government tried to put down a rebellion with aerial bombings of non-Arab villages, followed by incursions of ground troops and allied “Janjaweed” militias, who engaged in further burning of buildings, looting, killing, and rape. When these atrocities were brought to outside attention and condemned and sanctioned by the world community amid grassroots petitions, protests and sanctions, the attacks slowed. A hybrid peace-keeping force, composed of United Nations and African Union troops (UNAMID) was reluctantly admitted to Darfur.

During the ensuing years, the government of president Omar al-Bashir has obstructed the access of independent observers, UNAMID peacekeepers, and humanitarian aid groups to the affected areas and is now lobbying for the removal of UNAMID troops and the lifting of sanctions, even as reports of increased raids of villages and displaced persons’ camps by government troops and the newly named “Rapid Support Force” militias have emerged. Indeed, Dr. Mukesh Kapila, the former UN humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, has criticized the ineffectiveness of the UNAMID troops in protecting civilians.

Meanwhile, in South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, a deadly civil war has raged for two years between the government of President Kiir and rebels supporting the deposed Vice President Machar, with massive displacement of civilians (offered some protection by UN troops), killings and threat of famine.

In the USA, the presidential administration that includes prominent human rights advocates (National Security Council adviser Susan Rice and UN ambassador Samantha Power), at first spoke out forcefully against the Bashir government’s actions, and appointed a special envoy to negotiate peaceful solutions in Sudan and South Sudan, but is now mostly silent on this topic. Some Congressional hearings have been held but have shown few tangible results. Nationwide activist groups such as Save Darfur that played a prominent role in calling attention to the onset of the Darfur atrocities have merged and divided their attention among several humanitarian crises (in Burma and Syria as well as Sudan). Act for Sudan is a group of US grassroots organizations that continues to advocate for Sudanese victims.

The Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition continues to advocate for the people of Sudan and South Sudan. We will be holding our Fourth Annual Luncheon and Forum on the Problems of Sudan and South Sudan on Sunday, April 24, at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 2-5 p.m., in the small dining room. A luncheon starting at 2 p.m., prepared by members of the local Sudanese community, will precede the discussion. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Our guests will include a representative from the office of the US Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Rep. Mike Doyle (a member of the Congressional Sudan Caucus) and Hawa Abdullah (a refugee from Darfur who was imprisoned and tortured because of her activism). For further information and to make reservations, please contact our coordinator, Dr. David Rosenberg at (412) 992-0102or at jumphook@gmail.com. PDEC is on Facebook at facebook/pittsburghdarfur.

Mary Dawn Edwards is a member of the Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency coalition.

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