European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

War looms in eastern Sudan

by Sirocco
Wed Mar 22nd, 2006 at 06:38:52 PM EST

In strangely underreported developments, another part of Africa's largest country may soon be thrown into war.

Besides killing some 2,4 million, the deadly conflicts of south Sudan and western Sudan (Darfur) have spawned more than one fifth of the world's nearly 24 million internally displaced people, a fresh study finds. The Darfur situation, without question a slo-mo genocide, threatens to become "a perfect storm of human destruction." There are signs now that this may repeat itself in the east, which has many of the ingredients of previous conflicts. These include claims of political marginalization and economic neglect; competition for water and land; and religious and ethnic differences exacerbated by racism.

If this seems complicated, it is. But as with both Darfur and the 21-year war in south Sudan, one can safely put the brunt of the blame on the vicious Islamistic military junta in Khartoum, which has long since proven its credentials as perhaps the most evil regime on earth (and I don't use such terms lightly). If ever UN sanctions were called for, they are so here. But obviously, nothing will happen with the oil-gobbling China and the arms-peddling Russia as veto powers and the other permanent members on the fence. And so the world turns.

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War looms in eastern Sudan | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 0)

Too many conflicts, so little brain space: I just can't keep track of them all. We need to start appointing regional correspondents or something.

Is there anything that can be done in Sudan? Would sanctions even help? They generally don't with the really corrupt regimes: those in power never really feel them and the poor are already starving and dying.

by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 03:05:57 AM EST

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 0)

There is a Disvestment Campaign in the US that seems to be growing in strength. One of many links: http://www.inosphere.com/sudan/FAQ.asp

They say that:
[blockquote]The effectiveness of divestment has a recent precedent. After a divestment campaign by Western investors in response to the North-South civil war in the country, Talisman Energy decided in 2003 to end its operations in Sudan. The decision prompted two other international oil companies to sell their stakes in Sudan. Faced with the prospect of continuing loss of investment, Khartoum signed the Naivasha Treaty with southern rebels shortly thereafter, paving the way for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between North and South in January of 2005.
http://www.inosphere.com/sudan/divestment.asp[/blockquote]

The International Crisis Group has some
"What you can do" advice.

Dailykos has a Darfur Week. Perhaps Eurotrib could do the same to increase awareness.

My contribution is at the Atlantic Review

Atlantic Review - A press digest on transatlantic affairs edited by three German Fulbright Alumni

by Atlantic Review (bl -at- atlanticreview dot org) on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 06:50:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 1)

Nice blog you guys are running. I just linked it up from my own. Thanks for the trackback, by the way!

A Darfur week is a good idea. I've already written at length on the subject here.

The world's northernmost desert wind.

by Sirocco (sirocco2005ATgmail.com) on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 07:29:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 1)

Thank you!

That was another great diary of yours.

Save Darfur says Join our rally in Washington, DC on April 30th, 2006.

Perhaps we could support them in our blogs during that week.

Atlantic Review - A press digest on transatlantic affairs edited by three German Fulbright Alumni

by Atlantic Review (bl -at- atlanticreview dot org) on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 09:57:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 0)

Great idea. Let's get back to that in a month or so.

The world's northernmost desert wind.

by Sirocco (sirocco2005ATgmail.com) on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 10:33:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 0)

arms-peddling Russia

Lack of action/political resolve by the US is more of a factor. And the US's arms sales dwarf those of Russia by orders of magnitude.

Maybe "dynamite-peddling" Norway should spend more of its oil money...

by slaboymni on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 06:06:17 AM EST

Re: War looms in eastern Sudan (none / 0)

And the US's arms sales dwarf those of Russia by orders of magnitude.

Not to Sudan.

Maybe "dynamite-peddling" Norway should spend more of its oil money...

???

The world's northernmost desert wind.

by Sirocco (sirocco2005ATgmail.com) on Thu Mar 23rd, 2006 at 06:29:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

War (4.00 / 2)

That does it.

I am a supporter of war against the Sudanese regime.

It has committed genocide against three distinct groups of people. It is the only government in the world that has openly promoted slavery. It has practised executions by barbarities like crucifixion and stoning. It has in the past hosted Osama bin Laden.

If a diplomatic solution were possible, I could accept that. But I don't think that it is. I have lost patience with the world's (and everyone is guilty here - China, Russia, Europe, US, Arab League, African Union) tolerance of this neo-Nazi regime.

The US should have invaded Sudan instead of Iraq. But even without US participation, the other NATO countries could carry out such an intervention, if they had the political will. Do they?

by tyronen on Fri Mar 24th, 2006 at 01:57:39 PM EST

War looms in eastern Sudan | 8 comments (8 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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