Danfur crisis
March 22, 2004 5:26 PM   Subscribe

The world's greatest humanitarian crisis is happening in the Darfur region of Sudan. The US special envoy, John Danforth, asks, "Is the US engagement in Sudan worthwhile? There are so many issues in the world that need out attention."

Maybe he should ask some of the refugees.
posted by john (13 comments total)
 
Here's a review and a nice summary (scroll down a page or so) of the book The Root Causes of Sudan's Civil Wars by Douglas H. Johnson, which I might pick up tomorrow. If anyone can recommend a better book for those of us who want to learn more about Sudan's history, please do share a link.
posted by boredomjockey at 5:53 PM on March 22, 2004


Kapila added that the systematic depopulation of the Darfur region resembled a "scorched earth policy". "This is more than just a conflict, it is an organised attempt to do away with a group of people."

Just thought this might need emphasis.
posted by Wulfgar! at 5:55 PM on March 22, 2004


If the UN is so concerned, then let them do something about it.
posted by mischief at 6:06 PM on March 22, 2004


Arab militias, backed by the government, have driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, in retaliation for a rebellion launched a year ago by two armed groups.

I would expect to see dozens and dozens of UN General Assembly resolutions about this. I mean, it's genocide... that's what the UN is for. To stop precisely this. Isn't it?

On a more serious note, this is horrible. Anything we can do to help bring attention to it?
posted by swerdloff at 6:07 PM on March 22, 2004


Arab militias, backed by the government, have driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, in retaliation for a rebellion launched a year ago by two armed groups.

I would expect to see dozens and dozens of UN General Assembly resolutions about this. I mean, it's genocide... that's what the UN is for. To stop precisely this. Isn't it?


That's what the Shi'ites and Kurds in Iraq thought.
posted by MidasMulligan at 6:43 PM on March 22, 2004


update on the danforth proposal...

Bush "offered reassurance that Sudan's relationship with the United States will change once a peace is completed."
posted by kliuless at 8:10 PM on March 22, 2004


Europeans would probably not want to get involved. The UN is not effective for many reasons. So that leaves the USA. Given current world opinion of the USA and the fact it is already over-commited, it is highly doubtful it can send what is needed.

IMO Europe needs to get off its butt and help the rest of the world in times of need. It is shameful how little peace keeping Europeans do in particular in Africa where it could be a major force for enacting positive change. I think there is an attitude in Europe that Democracy and peace come about naturally with time that countries will sort it out in the end. This is wrong, you sometimes need outside military intervention to create democracy because the world is not always full of do-gooders. Europe became a peaceful Democratic place over the past 50 years because the USA provided security from the USSR. Now it is time for Europe to give-back the same favor and provide the security other countries need to become Democratic and peaceful places.
posted by stbalbach at 8:12 PM on March 22, 2004


The US and Switzerland together brokered the Nuba Mountains ceasefire in 2002, representing a large part of the civil war in the South, and that has held. This was the first negotiated agreement between the Sudanese government and rebel factions since the outbreak of violence in 1983. A peace monitor mission under the aegis of the UN, staffed by US, Russia, Europe, and others, the Joint Military Commission has been renewed on six-month intervals, recording no major ceasefire violations, and stands ready to hand over monitoring to a UN peacekeeping force in the event of a comprehensive peace agreement. Meanwhile, mine-clearing and other humanitarian operations continue apace.

Resolution of the Eritrean/Ethiopian conflict has allowed refugees to return home, easing the pressures on Sudan.

The US has tried to play a similar role organizing peace talks in the West including Darfur, where conflict has flared significantly even as the South quieted, and Danforth's statement should be taken as a kind of warning to the parties involved: "We're busy. Don't expect us to play around forever carting broken olive branches back and forth. This is your chance, now."
posted by dhartung at 9:49 PM on March 22, 2004


I regret using MeFi as a platform to do this but can I urge those of you who actually give a shit about what's happening in the Sudan to consider giving money to Medecins San Frontieres (aka Doctors Without Borders in the USA)

Info on what they're doing here, please, dammit, give something here.
posted by dmt at 6:17 AM on March 23, 2004


I'm shocked, frankly, that we don't see more of the peace protestors like the ones who rallied en mass last week, protesting against this injustice. Maybe they're not protesting for peace, but just against America?
posted by swerdloff at 7:42 AM on March 23, 2004


That's what the Shi'ites and Kurds in Iraq thought.

Good thing they're all liberamated now!
posted by PrinceValium at 9:17 AM on March 23, 2004


Good thing you're doing something about this one, too, PrinceValium! Wait, your premise seems to be "better to do nothing than something." Hmm. Hypocratic.
posted by swerdloff at 1:17 PM on March 23, 2004


Huh? swerdloff, you seem to be confused. It's George Bush, Dick Cheny and Donald Rumsfeld who are the great humanitarians of the 21st century. That's why we invaded Iraq, right? The UN is nothing but a debating society for effete old Europe (now featuring Spain!) and tyrant-loving third-worlders, remember?
posted by crank at 4:14 PM on March 23, 2004


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