Updates

This page includes updates from several organizations that work as activists for Darfur, Uganda and the Congo, as well as my own notes from local events or news alerts. I wanted one location where you could find any important key elements or breaking news.  Please read my first update which starts at the bottom of the page. This is where I realized that what we needed to do was to make the world aware.

If you would like to receive weekly e-mail updates and be kept aware of what's
happening with BTM behind the scenes and upcoming projects,
please send a request to: info@betheirmessenger.org

12/22/08 Mocha Club

"Start a new conversation. Get it off your chest and into the hearts of others. Raise awareness of the joy and hope that exist in Africa, and begin to reform the inaccurate perception that Africa is a continent only of despair. Are you in?"

;

12/17/08 Affleck's new film on DRC

"You've probably heard folks talk about the atrocities being committed in the Congo, or skipped through a commercial featuring a slideshow of poor, dirty, unhappy faces in an effort to win your donations -- but the problems aren't going away, and perhaps you'll take a few minutes to check out this new short film from Ben Affleck to see if there's anything you can do to help. Affleck teams up with UNHCR and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in a new campaign (which includes the following short, directed by Affleck) to "help raise funds and awareness about the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the work of the UN refugee agency." They hope to eventually raise $23 million in 2009 to help pay for stuff like clean water supplies and emergency humanitarian assistance kits.
article: http://www.cinematical.com/2008/12/17/watch-this-ben-afflecks-short-film-gimme-shelter/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXmxTJnKDM8

12/17/08 Sudan: Hundreds (more) Dead in Darfur Battles

"Darfur — Up to 250 people were killed in clashes in Sudan's Darfur region in the last week, says the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission (Unamid)...
Unamid says it also received reports more than 5,000 people fled their homes after a village was burned and looted.
Six police officers were among the dead, Unamid said."
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200812160870.html

12/16/08 An Honest article on Congo - The Never Ending War

I appreciate the honesty and gravity in this article. I hope that those of you that are searching for truths about Congo will read it. The world does need to be aware and to know the details. I am not going to post much copy from this article as I normally would though because I know that for a lot of people, these details still need to be filtered. I will only copy this:
"because although we claim that rape is a weapon, committing a rape has never constituted a breach of any peace accord...
Until the sexual violence ends, the world has no right to speak of peace."
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200812160071.html

12/13/08 The Courage to Forgive and to Bring Hope

"In 1998, Rose Mapendo was swept up in the ethnic battles inside Democratic Republic of Congo and was sent to what she describes as a death camp. Despite enormous suffering and loss, she found the courage to forgive her jailors and became the inspiration for a new organization, Mapendo International, that provides emergency help to refugees." http://www.mapendo.org/
article: http://blogs.ushmm.org/COC2/596

12/14/08 Condition: Critical

PLEASE check out this video http://www.condition-critical.org/

"A new video from Condition: Critical a website by Doctors Without Borders.  It’s a deeply personal view of the conflict ravaging Congo." 

12/12/08 Vote For Change

"Save Darfur is participating in a contest run by Change.org that’s called “Ideas for Change in America.” They will present the top 10 ideas to the Obama administration on Inauguration Day.  Then, they’ll build a national campaign to advance those ideas in Congress.  The first round of voting ends on December 31.  The top three ideas from each of the 30 categories will make it into the second round.  Round two voting starts on January 5 and ends January 15.

Save Darfur has an idea listed in the Genocide category.  You can vote for your idea at http://www.change.org/ideas/browse/genocide.  Please help us make it into the finals, so that we can be sure that President-elect Obama makes Darfur a priority from day one."
http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/12/12/vote-for-change/

12/11/08 Beyond Crisis Management in Eastern Congo

"The beleaguered people of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are justifiably angry. Despite the international community’s $500 million investment in 2006 elections and the world’s largest United Nations peacekeeping mission (costing more than $1 billion per year), the current round of fighting is the most destructive since 2005 and the latest chapter in more than 12 years of near continuous warfare."
article: http://www.enoughproject.org/reports/beyond-crisis-management-in-congo

12/11/08 One Year Later

"The excerpt below comes from a New York Times editorial in today’s paper.
In January, President Bush said this about Darfur: “My administration called this genocide. Once you label it genocide, you obviously have to do something about it.”

Yet, last week — nearly one year later — this is what the International Criminal Court prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, told the United Nations Security Council about Darfur: “Genocide continues. Rapes in and around the camps continue. Humanitarian assistance is still hindered. More than 5,000 displaced persons die each month.” How can this still be?"
http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/12/11/one-year-later/

12/10/08 President Bush Meets with Darfur Human Rights Activist Dr. Halima Bashir

"I assured her that, in spite of the economic difficulties, our aid will continue to flow. We will use our influence to make sure the aid gets to the people of Darfur.
I also made it clear that I am frustrated with the pace of activities; that the United Nations must expedite sending troops, peacekeepers, to provide security for the people -- that's what they want, they want to be able to have a secure life -- and that we'll help.
The United States continues to stand at the ready to provide airlift. The pace of action out of the United Nations is too slow. We support the mediation process by the A.U.-U.N. mediator. In other words, we recognize in order for there to be peace in Darfur that parties must come to the table in good faith and solve the problems.
And finally, it's very important for President Bashir of Sudan to know that he cannot escape accountability; that if he so choose, he could change people's lives, the condition of people's lives very quickly.
I've appointed a special envoy to Sudan to help put pressure on the government. The United States must continue to rally the international community to put pressure on the government, as well. The urgency of the situation is never more apparent than when I had the honor of visiting with this brave soul.
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200812100989.html

12/8/08 33 countries face possible genocide

"UNITED NATIONS - Genocide and other mass atrocities are underway or risk breaking out in at least 33 countries, says a new comprehensive watch list...
Since the world pledged "never again" in the wake of the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina are but three examples of places where mass slaughter has occurred.
The list by the New York-based Genocide Prevention Project for the first time combines the findings of five leading independent watch lists to create a "watch list of watch lists."...
The enduring lesson of the Holocaust and that of the genocides that followed is that they occurred not simply because of the machinery of death, but because of the state-sanctioned incitement to hatred," Cotler said.
article: http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=1049224

12/6/08 Congo-Kinshasa: DRC, Rwanda Endorse Joint Plan Against FDLR

"Goma — Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Friday at last agreed to a joint operational plan against the ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia, who spearheaded the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis. The group now goes by the name Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)."
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200812060001.html

12/4/08 Thousands of people in a slum 20km south of Khartoum are living in makeshift shelters made of sticks and cloth after their homes were razed by the government.

"Mandela was set up in the early 1990s by people fleeing poverty and conflict from the western Darfur region and Southern Sudan, respectively. While the conditions were poor, residents had secure mud brick homes and some had private generators providing electricity...

"I had a house – with a door and a key," said Ahmad Abderahim, a migrant from the central Nuba Mountains. "Now we are staying in the desert. We are worried about fires, sickness, criminals ... If there is a fire, not one child will survive. The houses burn easily."
Forced out
Mary Deng, who fled the southern town of Aweil during Sudan's north-south civil war, said: "If you refused to leave, they came with the bulldozer."
"They don't respect the owner of the house," added Abdu Adam, who said he was beaten by police when he refused to leave the house. "They just come in and empty the house. They beat people."
article: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=81815

12/3/08 Sudan: Human Rights Defenders Arrested, Held Without Charge

"Sudanese authorities have arrested and detained three human rights defenders in Khartoum, two of whom remain in detention, Human Rights Watch said today. On November 24, 2008, Sudanese authorities in Khartoum summoned the three men to the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) offices, where they were detained and questioned about their human rights activities."
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200812031018.html

12/3/08 Rape as Genocide

"'In this society if you rape one woman, you have raped the entire tribe" - so said one observer of the mass rape occurring in Darfur.

People hear the word genocide and think of six million victims of the Holocaust or an estimated 800,000 dead in Rwanda. They do not imagine that mass rape can be so well planned and targeted that it wipes out a substantial part of an ethnic group as thoroughly, though more slowly, than widespread killings. Yet three judges sitting on the International Criminal Court will decide soon whether to confirm an arrest warrant against a head of state, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan, on grounds that he masterminded rape as genocide against three ethnic groups in Darfur that have challenged his power.

The ICC's prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has filed war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against Bashir. But the centerpiece of Moreno-Ocampo's application is the charge of rape as genocide "causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group" and "deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part." Such acts of genocide arising from rape rather than from murder can be prosecuted as stand-alone crimes before the International Criminal Court."
article: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/03/opinion/edscheffer.php

12/3/08 Thank you!

I would like to thank all of you who participated in our Letters of Hope program! Batch # 2 has been sent!
A special thanks to Mount Tabor High School and St. Agnes Catholic School.

12/3/08 Scream Bloody Murder

Just a reminder that CNN is broadcasting a genocide documentary called "Scream Bloody Murder" on December 4th. The CNN Presents Special will be hosted by Christine Amanpour.  It will highlight the courageous individuals that tried to raise the alarm on the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq's gassing of the Kurds, and Bosnia/Croatia. The show also includes interviews with survivors of Genocide.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/scream.bloody.murder/index.html

12/3/08 ICC Prosecutor: States must gear up for arrests

"Today, in his briefing to the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Darfur, ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo called on States to prepare themselves “sooner rather than later” for the decision of the Judges on President Omar Hassan Al Bashir of the Sudan.  

“Massive crimes are being committed in Darfur now; they are taking place because President Bashir wills them to take place” said the Prosecutor.

“What can UNAMID do when those controlling its deployment are the same people ordering the crimes? How long are we going to just tally the casualties, the displacements and the rapes?” he asked. 

“If Security Council members can act together, the crimes will stop and millions of lives will be saved. If different interests prevent a strong and consistent position in support of the Court’s decisions, if they give room to false promises, rapes will continue, destruction will continue. An opportunity is coming. A united Security Council can make a difference” said the Prosecutor."...
article: http://www.icc-cpi.int/press/pressreleases/453.html

12/2/08 Rights Groups: Sudan Lying About Improvements in Darfur

"15 human rights organizations said in a joint report released Tuesday, the Sudanese government is lying about improvements in the situation in Darfur.

Human Rights Watch, Save Darfur Coalition and 13 other rights organizations said the Sudanese government continues to conduct large-scale military attacks against populated areas, harass aid workers, and allow impunity for the worst crimes committed in Darfur."
article: http://voanews.com/english/2008-12-02-voa23.cfm

11/26/08 Congocast launches Episode 15

http://www.congocast.org/episode15.php

11/26/08 Thank you 24!

I'd like to thank the writers and producers of the TV show 24 for the story line they have chosen for this season. From child soldiers in Africa, to war, to the blue helmets, to impending genocide and the typical political response to that, to even getting caught up in all the hooplah of a new president and yet reminding Americans that we cannot forget what else is happening over there... I was thoroughly impressed. I think it says a lot about a popular, award winning show bringing these atrocities to mainstream television. This will make more people aware in a whole different way. Nicely done.
http://www.fox.com/24/dossier/

11/24/08 Sudanese government announced that it had purchased 12 MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia.

"The MiG-29 is one of the world's leading air superiority fighters, developed to counter the U.S. Air Force F-15 and F-16 fighters.

This sale would normally proceed with minimal international notice, as major industrial nations export hundreds of advanced fighter jets every year. Yet, as news of this sale emerged, experts at the United Nations were raising questions about whether the jets would end up in use in Darfur, stoking a debate over all arms sales to the Sudanese government and the extension of the existing arms embargo to cover all sales of military equipment to Sudan."
article: http://www.genocideintervention.net/blog/2008/11/24/more_jets_and_more_questions_for_khartoum

11/24/08 UN Checks Charges of Government Bombing in Renewed Darfur Fighting

So much for a ceasefire...

"The joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has sent a team to verify allegations by the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M) of Government attacks on a village in South Darfur province following reports of renewed fighting in the war-torn region.
The team met the local SLA Commander who led then to the site where camels were allegedly stolen and children abducted in the attack on Abu Dengal, about 125 kilometres southeast of Nyala. The team was also taken to a site where four craters, two showing signs of explosions and another two containing unexploded bombs, were observed. "
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200811250093.html

11/21/08 ICC judges receive 700 pages of additional evidence on Bashir warrant

"The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) submitted to the judges last Monday more than 700 pages of additional supporting material on the his application requesting the issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir...
So far the ICC prosecutor has maintained a 100% success rate in all the requests for arrest warrants he previously made to the judges in the other cases handled by the court...
If the judges affirm Ocampo’s application Al-Bashir will be the first sitting head of state indicted while in office of war crimes.
article: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article29352

11/20/08 International Criminal Court Prosecutor seeks charges against rebels in Darfur

"20 November 2008 – The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today presented evidence against three rebel commanders for their role in last year’s deadly attack against peacekeepers in the war-ravaged Sudanese region of Darfur, vowing that he “will not let such attacks go unpunished.”
Some 1,000 rebels attacked the Haskanita camp in South Darfur state on 29 September 2007, killing 12 peacekeepers serving with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) – a predecessor to the joint UN-AU peacekeeping mission known as UNAMID – and wounding eight others."...
article: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=29019&Cr=darfur&Cr1=

11/20/08 UN Sends 3,000 more troops to Congo

"The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Thursday to send more than 3,000 additional troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo, bolstering a mission that is already its largest peacekeeping force in the world.

The resolution says the Security Council has "extreme concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation and in particular the targeted attacks against civilian population, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and summary executions."...
A coalition of 44 organizations in eastern Congo wrote to the Security Council on Tuesday, pleading for more troops urgently to support the 17,000 U.N. soldiers already there."
article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/11/20/congo.un.troops/index.html?eref=rss_world

11/20/08 Ben Affleck visits refugee camps in eastern Congo

"Ben Affleck is trying to draw more attention to the conflict in eastern Congo, touring refugee camps and consulting with aid workers in the region where at least 250,000 people have been displaced by recent fighting..
"I'm really glad that more people are paying more attention to (Congo) now but I'm really saddened that it's taken this uptick in violence to make that happen," Affleck said. "My hope in being here is primarily to bring attention to the fact that there's a real lack of (aid agencies) here, a real lack of money going to these folks."...
article: http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=340467&GT1=28101

11/18/08 DR Congo rebels claim new territorial advance

"GOMA, DR Congo (AFP) — Congolese rebel forces said Monday they had taken new territory and threatened more attacks against government troops as a UN envoy warned against expecting quick results from a peace mission.
A day after renegade general Laurent Nkunda said he wanted peace talks, his spokesman said the rebels had repelled the Democratic Republic of Congo army in the latest fighting and now controlled all the area around the town of Rwindi.
"Our troops control all of the Rwindi zone" in eastern Nord Kivu province, Nkunda spokesman Bertrand Bisimwa told AFP.
The UN's peacekeeping mission, MONUC, said the rebels had violated their own ceasefire in launching Sunday's attacks, in which peacekeepers found themselves caught in crossfire.
article: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hObZWVQ4DFJHApmRXprpirmaLQWQ

11/17/08 The Vigil/Rally & Tent event in DC made International news

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OGEHJdICbk

11/17/08 When is a Ceasefire not a Ceasefire

"On November 12, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced an immediate, unilateral ceasefire in Darfur. Unfortunately, two days later, rebels reported Sudanese government air attacks in North Darfur." ...
article: http://www.genocideintervention.net/blog/2008/11/17/when_is_a_ceasefire_not_a_ceasefire

Also, Please see Damanga's take on the issue: Posturing We Must Watch With Reservation

11/14/08

Since we were gone for a week, traveling for Tents of Hope and the Save Darfur Conference, and are still trying to catch up this week... We are a bit behind on the updates, and I still need to catch up on more than a week's worth of news and emails. 
In the meantime, you can find my report and details about the events here:
BTM Report on Save Darfur Conference and Tents of Hope, DC 11/08

Here is a video at the Sudanese Embassy rally/vigil of STAND marching over from across the street:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiScZZclBFA

11/12/08 Sudanese president announces immediate ceasefire in Darfur, militias disarmament

"I hereby announce our immediate unconditional ceasefire between the armed forces and warring factions provided that an effective monitoring mechanism be put into action and be observed by all involved parties," Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said.
The Sudanese president was speaking at the concluding session of the government-initiated Forum of the People of Sudan, which was attended by the Eritrean president Isaias Afeworki who arrived today in Khartoum.
He further called for "an immediate campaign to disarm the militias and restrict the use of weapons amongst armed forces," he said."
article: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article29234

11/11/08 Goss to Force LRA Out of Sudan After November

"THE Government of South Sudan (GOSS) will attack the Lord's Resistance Army rebels if Joseph Kony does not sign the final peace agreement by the end of this month.
Martin Majut Yak, the director of presidential affairs in the South Sudan government, yesterday said his government had the capacity to "finish off" the LRA in seven days.
"We shall not allow them to continue attacking and killing our people. We will not tolerate the brutality," he told journalists in Kampala.
LRA leader Kony has twice failed to turn up for the signing of the final peace agreement with the Ugandan government
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200811120018.html

BTM WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE FOR TENTS OF HOPE UNTIL NOV. 12

11/3/08 U.N. aid convoy crosses rebel lines in Congo

"A 12-vehicle U.N. aid convoy rumbled past rebel lines Monday in eastern Congo, carrying medical supplies for clinics looted by retreating government troops. It was the first humanitarian aid delivery behind rebel lines since fighting broke out in August."
article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27511974/from/ET/

11/2/08 This is the daily Darfur Refugee Diet

Jeremiah and Eric (From Stop Genocide Now) will try to closely match the daily rations of a Darfur refugee.
Blog: http://www.stopgenocidenow.org/refugee-fast/2008/11/02/756

10/31/08 DR Congo refugee camps 'burned'

"The UN refugee agency says it has credible reports camps sheltering 50,000 refugees in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been destroyed.
Reports suggest the camps were forcibly emptied and looted before being burned.
"There are some 50,000 people who were in those camps. We don't know where they would be, we're afraid that they may have just dispersed off into the bush,"
article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7702099.stm

10/30/08 How we fuel Africa's bloodiest war

"Every day I think about the people I met in the war zones of eastern Congo when I reported from there. The wards were filled with women who had been gang-raped by the militias and shot in the vagina. The battalions of child soldiers – drugged, dazed 13-year-olds who had been made to kill members of their own families so they couldn't try to escape and go home. But oddly, as I watch the war starting again on CNN, I find myself thinking about a woman I met who had, by Congolese standards, not suffered in extremis.
I was driving back to Goma from a diamond mine one day when my car got a puncture. As I waited for it to be fixed, I stood by the roadside and watched the great trails of women who stagger along every road in eastern Congo, carrying all their belongings on their backs in mighty crippling heaps. I stopped a 27 -year-old woman called Marie-Jean Bisimwa, who had four little children toddling along beside her. She told me she was lucky. Yes, her village had been burned out. Yes, she had lost her husband somewhere in the chaos. Yes, her sister had been raped and gone insane. But she and her kids were alive.
I gave her a lift, and it was only after a few hours of chat along on cratered roads that I noticed there was something strange about Marie-Jean's children. They were slumped forward, their gazes fixed in front of them. They didn't look around, or speak, or smile. 'I haven't ever been able to feed them,' she said. 'Because of the war.'
Their brains hadn't developed; they never would now. 'Will they get better?' she asked. I left her in a village on the outskirts of Goma, and her kids stumbled after her, expressionless.

There are two stories about how this war began – the official story, and the true story. The official story is that after the Rwandan genocide, the Hutu mass murderers fled across the border into Congo. The Rwandan government chased after them. But it's a lie. How do we know? The Rwandan government didn't go to where the Hutu genocidaires were, at least not at first. They went to where Congo's natural resources were – and began to pillage them. They even told their troops to work with any Hutus they came across. Congo is the richest country in the world for gold, diamonds, coltan, cassiterite, and more. Everybody wanted a slice – so six other countries invaded.
These resources were not being stolen to for use in Africa. They were seized so they could be sold on to us. The more we bought, the more the invaders stole – and slaughtered. The rise of mobile phones caused a surge in deaths, because the coltan they contain is found primarily in Congo. The UN named the international corporations it believed were involved: Anglo-America, Standard Chartered Bank, De Beers and more than 100 others. (They all deny the charges.) But instead of stopping these corporations, our governments demanded that the UN stop criticising them.
article: How we fuel Africa's bloodiest war

10/29/08 "eastern Congo is erupting again, as a new catastrophe befalls Goma"

Check out the article today by Nicholas Kristof and the letter he got from a friend in Goma.

"Sadly, Colonel Padiri’s 800 well armed and organized defense force holding Kibumba and Kabati did not last till lunch time. The FARDC are fleeing back into Goma, looting shops and taking vehicles to pack their loot in. They are probably heading for Bukavu. The population is fleeing with them, down from Kibumba and Kibati, and flooding into town."
article: Crisis in Congo

10/29/08 Darfur Camp Attacked

"Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir tends to be at his worst when the world is distracted. These days the U.S. is absorbed by the presidential election, Darfur fatigue has set in, and so he evidently feels a little freedom. So we’re seeing attacks on camps of displaced people, where Darfuris have sought protection and assistance after fleeing their villages.

Today I received this message from a Westerner active on Darfur issues:

As I write this, Kassab camp (North Darfur) home to 25,000 unarmed civilians and the location of DPDO’s women’s center is under attack by Janjaweed forces. I spent time in the camp and know many people there. What do we do? Rebel forces are too distant and under-equipped to defend Kassab. UNAMID has only a small presence there. Who will be dead tomorrow?

People often ask me if I find it impossibly depressing to go to Darfur and talk to the victims there. Yes, sometimes. But I find it just as depressing that five years into a genocide, the international community mumbles homilies about human rights and “never again” — even as camps like this are attacked without the world even noticing."
article: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/darfur-camp-attacked/

10/28/08 Humanitarian Efforts in Darfur Face Escalating War by Khartoum

"The long, brutal war of attrition directed at humanitarian aid efforts in Darfur is again accelerating, as Khartoum seeks to effect a permanently destructive status quo prior to further UNAMID deployment. These efforts are also meant to deter the ICC from issuing an arrest warrant for National Islamic Front regime head Omar al-Bashir.

The UN recently issued yet another report on humanitarian conditions in Darfur, noting in a long catalog of obstruction and harassment that for more than four months the Khartoum regime refused to allow entry to 5,000 metric tons of sugar bound for Darfur. What is the role of sugar in food aid to Darfur? Why is this obstruction of particular note? There is tremendous fear within the humanitarian community of expanding malnutrition, especially among children. In a desperate attempt to sustain children under five through the rainy season that ended earlier this month, UN World Food Program and nongovernmental humanitarian organizations focused with extraordinary intensity on this most vulnerable population group. A key part of their effort was a “Blanket Supplementary Feeding Program,” using as its primary tool a specially designed “premix” of foods. What goes into this “premix”? Corn-soya blend, dried skimmed milk…and sugar.

This delay in releasing a large quantity of a key ingredient in sustaining the lives of young children, largely from non-Arab or African tribal populations, was a direct assault on their ability to live---it represents another in a long and continuous history of genocidal actions by the NIF regime, going back to well before the outbreak of organized rebellion in Darfur in early 2003."
article: http://www.sudanreeves.org/Article227.html

10/28/08 3,600 More Peacekeepers for Darfur

"The United Nations expects that 3,600 more peacekeepers will be deployed in Sudan’s war-ravaged Western Darfur region by the end of the year, the United States special envoy to Sudan said Tuesday.
The United States has complained for months about the slow deployment of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, known as Unamid, which has a mandate for 26,000 troops and police officers. It is currently about 40 percent of that level."
article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/world/africa/29darfur.html

10/26/08 DR Congo rebels seize army camp

"Rebels fighting government troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have captured a major army camp in the east of the country, UN peacekeepers say. The rebels have also taken control of the headquarters of Virunga national park, home to some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas...
Residents are fleeing the area as the army attempts to recapture the base.
About 200,000 people have fled their homes since fighting resumed in the area in late August.
article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7691736.stm

In pictures: Thousands flee Congo fighting

See slideshow: BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7693828.stm

10/25/08 GULU WALK - TODAY!!!

http://www.wherewillyouwalk.com/

10/25/08 Plight of Darfur's displaced worse than ever

"Since 2004 until today, there has been no resolution. The problems have only gotten worse," said a sheikh at a camp for displaced people in Tawila, 50km west of El-Fasher, state capital of North Darfur. At the beginning of the conflict, he told IRIN, attacks – if intense – were few and far between. "But now, weekly, there is a problem here. Weekly, janjaweed [government-sponsored militias], weapons, rape, looting."
article: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=81028

Sudan Tribune: UN report shows security deteriorating sharply in Darfur

10/21/08 Breaking the Silence in Congo

"For a short while last week, The Times’ Jeffrey Gettleman managed to get attention back on one of the most appalling and gruesome tragedies of our time: the systematic rape of tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, in Eastern Congo. The New York Times held back from publishing the wickedest details of these events, which included {tragic details, see article}"
article: Calm in Kigali, Horror in Congo

http://www.friendsofthecongo.org/

10/21/08 The next Darfur?

"Conditions like those that produced the Darfur conflict exist today in Southern Kordofan state where prospects of a new Sudanese civil war are real.
the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines the deteriorating situation in this strategic region between North and South, where both members of the Government of National Unity, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP), have been dangerously engaged in ethnic polarisation in advance of national elections scheduled for 2009. The kidnapping of nine Chinese oil workers in Southern Kordofan last week illustrates the volatility of the state.
article: Sudan: Southern Kordofan Problem - The Next Darfur?

10/21/08 UN says 40,000 displaced in last 2 months

"Some 40,000 civilians have been displaced in Darfur in the last two months by fighting between Sudanese government forces and rebels in the northern and central parts of the wartorn region, said the U.N. on Saturday...
"No emergency assistance has gotten to these people," said Alex. "For the last five or six weeks, they have been living off assistance they are getting from other people ... or what they can scrounge for."
article: AP

10/21/08 Raise Hope for Congo

I turned on CNN this morning and they just happened to be doing a piece on Congo. I was thrilled and it was a descent piece too.
The Enough Project enlisted Dayle Haddon, a UNICEF Ambassador to go to Congo. She is helping to raise awareness for Raise Hope for Congo
article: CNN
Also check out: One Congolese woman's silent scream is heard
"My image of the Congolese women is that of a scream," Salbi said. "But there is no sound coming from the scream because the world is not hearing it."
That's because the victims are women, she said...
"We are numb," she said. "If I said hundreds and thousands of men were being raped in the Congo, the world would be outraged."...

"I interviewed a man who said that whenever he entered another man's house and that man did not have a gun and he had a gun, he never questioned whether he had the right to rape the man's wife or not,"

"It is one thing to have been through what I have been through, but to have no one acknowledge it enhances the pain threefold," she said.
"To suffer in silence is the greatest suffering."

10/17/08 Bashir war crimes charges delayed

I'm not going to bother telling you the thought that came into my brain when I read this...
"Judges at the International Criminal Court have asked for more evidence before deciding whether to issue an arrest warrant against Sudan's leader."
article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7675381.stm

10/17/08 Sudan launches Darfur peace effort, rebels boycott

"Government officials said the various Sudanese parties that are part of the initiative will hammer out recommendations on how to resolve the conflict next week.
Darfur rebels said Bashir was merely trying to avoid the issuing of an ICC arrest warrant by showing the world he was trying to resolve the conflict.
"They just want to gain time," said Abdel-Wahed Mohamed el-Nur, head of one faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM). "They want to show that there is a peace process ... but the fact on the ground is that they are killing people."
article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LG263997.htm

10/14/08 You MUST read this interview with Bashir
Bashir: "MASS RAPE DOES NOT EXIST"

"During this interview, al Bashir’s approach was to deny any wrongdoing altogether, claiming that the killings and mass rapes are all rebel lies. Al Bashir even went as far as to deny the existence of rape itself in Darfurian culture, claiming there is no DNA evidence that janjaweed or Sudanese government soldiers ever committed rape."
- "Anything saying that we ordered killing people is untrue."
- "We are fully convinced that no rape took place."
- "The Darfurian society does not have rape. It’s not in the tradition."
- "The implementation of the peace agreement with the south is fine. Now even in Darfur, you can say most of it is safe. There are no problems and life is very normal. In the media it’s boiling, but in the field it’s not."
See transcript: http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/10/14/al-bashir-interview/
See News article about interview: Al-Bashir, A big man of Africa?

10/14/08 Zawadi's horrific story **{Graphic details}**

I'll be adding this to our "know their stories" page.

"Zawadi Mongane was abducted by Interahamwe militia (from Rwanda) in eastern Congo with a group of 50 others, half of whom were family members. Zawadi describes how the militia killed all but two of the group and how she was raped and forced to hang her own baby."

After Zawadi was abducted, she watched them kill her children, then 19 of them raped her, then put a rope around her baby and made her hang her own baby. Then they told her brother to rape her and because he would not, they cut off his head.
Hear her interview here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7657000/7657774.stm

Update:
BBC listeners joined together to give Zawadi a better life.
Courage of a Congo survivor

10/13/08 **Sudanese Arrest Militia Leader**

"The Sudanese government has arrested one of the most wanted men in the country, a notorious janjaweed militia leader charged by an international court with orchestrating mass murder in Darfur"...
Human Rights groups have said that the militia leader, Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-al-Rahman — also known as Ali Kushayb and the “colonel of colonels” — personally led attacks on civilians and ordered entire villages to be burned to the ground and the women in them raped."...
article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/world/africa/14darfur.html

10/12/08 Congo-Kinshasa: Are Rwanda And DRC Setting the Stage for War?

"Alarm bells were ringing loudly last week when Congo's representative to the United Nations, Ateku Ineka, claimed that DRC authorities had seen concentrations of Rwandan troops gathering at the border...
Clearly, eastern Congo is on the brink of a major humanitarian catastrophe..."
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200810120023.html

10/9/08 Sudan makes case abroad while still bombing Darfur

""The government said it was only looking for rebels. It said it didn't want to harm the people,"... "But the rebels are out in the mountains, not in the village."
To the outside world, Sudan's government sings a different tune, claiming since July ...– that the prosecution of its leader would jeopardize the peace process. But as the situation on the ground here grows worse, Darfuris are asking: "What peace process are you talking about?"...
"How will the ICC hamper the peace process? What peace process?" asked one international observer in Darfur. "I don't see anything happening."
article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20081009/ts_csm/owhatpeace_1

10/9/08 Shipment of arms to S. Sudan

"A recent chain of events-more likely to appear in a Hollywood movie than real-life-involving Somali pirates and an ill-fated Ukrainian freighter has exposed a shipment of arms on its way to southern Sudan. ..
A resolution between the pirates and international authorities over the captured vessel is expected soon. However, questions over the influx of arms into Sudan remain.
article: GI Net Blog

10/9/08 Cutting off Birth control to Africa

"In some parts of Africa, a woman now has a 1-in-10 risk of dying in childbirth. The idea that U.S. policy may increase that toll is infuriating. "
article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/09/opinion/09kristof.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

10/9/08 DR Congo rebels capture army base

"Forces loyal to rebel leader Laurent Nkunda have taken a major army base in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, UN peacekeepers have confirmed."
article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7660592.stm

10/8/08 From Save Darfur (Action)

"Last night, both Senator McCain and Senator Obama spoke with conviction about ending the genocide in Darfur IIt was an important moment for everyone who cares about stopping the violence and bringing peace and protection to the people of Darfur. We need bold action on Darfur from the next president. And so Americans from all backgrounds, parties, and faiths are adding their voices together and signing postcards calling on the next president to act. I added my voice—will you? Be a voice for Darfur by clicking the link below"

http://www.addyourvoice.org/

10/8/08 Child Soldiers and Slave Trave

Please check out this extremely inspiring site http://callandresponse.com/home.html

"CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined."

Click on a logo to personalize an email to that company demanding that you want a guarantee that their products are SLAVE FREE
http://chainstorereaction.com/

10/8/08 Darfur an Issue in Second Presidential Debate

...Doctrine for use of force when there aren't national security issues at stake..

Senator Obama: "...it's so important for us to be able to work in concert with our allies.
Let's take the example of Darfur just for a moment.  We could be providing logistical support, setting up a no-fly zone at relatively little cost to us, but we can only do it if we can help mobilize the international community and lead."
Senator McCain: "And we must do whatever we can to prevent genocide, whatever we can to prevent these terrible calamities that we have said never again."
article: GI NET Blog

10/7/08 Timetable towards full deployment of hybrid force

"The “severely stretched” United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur, which has struggled to find enough countries willing to supply troops and equipment, should now reach two-thirds of its full deployment by the end of this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today."
article: UN News Center

10/7/08 5,000+ Congolese arrive in Sudan after LRA attacks

"At least 5,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have arrived in South Sudan in the past two weeks after fleeing "ferocious" attacks by the notorious Ugandan rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA)"
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200810070918.html

10/3/08 New Law on Child Soldiers

"Under a new law signed today by US President George W. Bush, leaders of military forces and armed groups who have recruited child soldiers may be arrested and prosecuted in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. The law could apply to leaders of dozens of forces that have recruited and used child soldiers in over 20 armed conflicts."
article: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/10/03/usint19912.htm

10/3/08 Biden, Palin and Genocide

"the most striking and historic moment in the debate came when they were asked about Darfur. For generations, American leaders have waffled on genocide"...
article: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/biden-palin-and-genocide/

To read transcripts from their answers on Darfur in the debates last night, check out:
http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/10/03/darfur-in-last-nights-vp-debate/

Hundreds of Congolese flee attacks by notorious rebels (10/01)

"About 1,200 Congolese have sought shelter in southern Sudan in recent days to escape brutal attacks by members of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) that have included the abduction of children and the torching of homes, the United Nations refugee agency reported today."
article: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28395&Cr=LRA&Cr1=

Senate Passes Darfur Resolution (9/25/08)

"As Congress prepares to adjourn prior to the November elections, the Senate has passed an important resolution, S. Res. 684, which demonstrates the continued resolve of Congress to ensure that the U.S. Government remains dedicated to ending the conflict in Darfur. The resolution reaffirms Congress’ 2004 finding that genocide is occurring in Darfur, and highlights the need for a just and inclusive peace process, the full deployment of UNAMID, and the free flow of humanitarian aid....
A similar resolution, H. Con. Res. 423 has been introduced in the House by Representative Mark Kirk. While Congress clearly has many items on its plate this week, it should be commended for finding time to once again show its determination to find a solution to the conflict in Darfur."
article: http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/09/25/senate-passes-darfur-resolution/

9/28/08 From a friend with Run for Congo Women

"The attacks by the LRA in the far Northeastern Congo have continued to intensify in recent
weeks.  Our local Portland organizer, Francisca Thelin, has just received word that 4 of her cousins have
been murdured, their teenage daughter and son have been kidnapped by the LRA, and her aunt and uncle
are missing.  The locals are reporting that no protections at all are being extended by the MONUC
(UN peacekeepking forces) in the area, or by the 5,000 Congolese Army troops that have been sent in. .."

Tourist Abduction part II (9/30/08)

See my note below and then check out this article:
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-09-30-voa36.cfm

9/24/08 Regarding the tourist abduction in Egypt...

I knew as soon as I heard about the abduction in Egypt that it was probably linked to the conflict in Sudan since Egypt is so "in bed" with the Sudanese government. Sure enough, Egypt is implying blame on rebel groups in Sudan for this, which just makes no sense to begin with, but offers them new material to work with the Sudanese government. Damanga has put out a great report explaining this sutation.
article: Damanga
And WHY the false report about them being released?
"Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, said last night that all 19 had been released “safe and sound”. But officials in Cairo later said that this was not the case. “It is premature to say they are released. The negotiations are continuing,” a Cabinet spokesman said."
article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4804507.ece

9/22/08 Half Strength Political Will

"After billions spent, countless hours of debate, and an endless stream of tough words, it is deplorable that the most powerful nations in the world can muster only a ‘half-strength force’ to protect Darfuri civilians. The U.N. has now admitted what has long been clear: the previous promise to deploy 80 percent of the UNAMID force by December will not be kept.  Even the new, reduced goal of 50 percent seems a stretch.  Vitally needed helicopters, trucks and logistics are nowhere in sight."
article: http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/09/19/half-strength-political-will/

9/22/08 Is Darfur Invisible?

"After five and a half years of genocidal predations in Darfur, it may appear that nothing is being done to end the crisis. This would be a correct assumption, both in terms of political response and in terms of media coverage. "
article: http://trainforhumanity.org/2008/09/is-darfur-invisible/

Note: I will be adding Train for Humanity to my grassroots list. Please check out their cause!

9/22/08 Sudan lobbies against Bashir case

"Sudan has started lobbying the UN to block an investigation into alleged war crimes in Darfur by the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir. Other African countries are expected to call for the case to be suspended."...
article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7630071.stm

REMINDER: TXT 4 PEACE

"To encourage even greater awareness of this important Day, the United Nations is encouraging people around the world to send text messages for peace on or before 21 September. UN offices in several countries are organizing campaigns. Messages collected by the UN will be presented to world leaders gathering in New York for the 63rd General Assembly from 23 September."
http://www.un.org/events/peaceday/2008/

9/19/08 Fighting severely restricts humanitarian access in Sudan’s North Darfur – UN

"Fresh fighting between Government and rebel forces in the north of Sudan's war-torn Darfur region has severely restricted the delivery of critical aid amid unconfirmed reports that thousands more people have been driven from their homes, the United Nations said today."
article: http://allafrica.com/stories/200809191027.html

9/19/08 Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels have carried out a surprise attack on a military base in southern Sudan.

"There are also separate reports of LRA raids on three villages just over the nearby border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The fighting broke out despite pledges by the rebels that they would sign a peace deal with the Ugandan government.
The BBC's Africa analyst David Bamford says instability in the region appears to be growing as moves to persuade LRA leaders to sign the agreement falter."
article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7625515.stm

9/18/08 British official denies plans to freeze ICC indictment of Sudan’s Bashir

"The United Kingdom has no plans of supporting a suspension of the International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment against Al-Bashir, a senior British official said today.
Last week the Guardian newspaper published a report saying that the British and French governments will back efforts in the UN to stall the issuance of an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir.
The newspaper said that officials from both capitals informed human rights activists that they have taken this stance to protect the peace process in Darfur and Southern Sudan.
“There was a rather inaccurate press story about this last weekend” Lord Malloch Brown UK Foreign Office Minister for Africa said yesterday during forum at the Frontline Club in London."
article: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28664

9/18/08 Young people making a difference

"Yet at the same time that “leaders” have provided zero moral leadership, there has actually been a surprising amount of leadership coming from young people. University campuses, backed by organizations like STAND, have been very active on Darfur, and high school students have started and expanded groups like Dollars for Darfur.
I’m also impressed that students haven’t just protested — although certainly protest is sorely needed — but have also taken a variety of actions to help victims. Here is one example of high school students who are actually working to start a school for Sudanese kids."
article: By Nicholas Kristof

9/16/08 From American Jewish World Service

"Just yesterday, Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK) introduced a resolution (S. Res. 660) calling for an expansion of the U.N. arms embargo on Sudan. This legislation is a critical step toward stopping the arms flow fueling the genocide in Darfur. We need your help to make sure it passes.
According to a 2005 U.N. Security Council resolution, the government of Sudan may not transfer any weapons into Darfur without prior approval from the Security Council. Despite Khartoum’s brazen defiance of this requirement, countries like China continue to sell weapons to Sudan.
As the flow of weapons into Darfur continues unabated, it is clear that the current arms embargo is not working. The Senate resolution calls on all states to end arms sales to any armed actor in Sudan and urges the U.S. to seek an expansion of the arms embargo to cover all of Sudan, not just Darfur.
Please call your senators today to ensure their support of this bipartisan bill.
Thank you again for standing with the people of Darfur."

9/15/08 Resurgence of Fighting in the Eastern DRC

"Over the last two weeks, reports out of the eastern DR Congo indicate that the Congolese government and the General Laurent Nkunda's CNDP militia may be on the march back to war. This renewed fighting violates the terms of January's Goma peace agreement and risks plunging the east of the country back into open warfare. As of this morning, it was unclear whether fighting continued, but we do know that recent battles have displaced at least 100,000 people in North Kivu alone."
article: Resurgence of Fighting in the Eastern DRC

9/15/08 Thousands flee heavy Darfur fighting - aid groups

"Thousands of villagers have been forced to flee their homes after more than a week of heavy clashes between Sudanese forces and rebels in North Darfur, aid sources said on Monday."...
article: Thousands flee heavy Darfur fighting

9/15/08 Britain now joins the pack to let Al Bashir off the hook

"Britain is playing a key role in efforts to block the prosecution of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for the carnage in Darfur.
Human rights activists yesterday accused the government of a 'shocking abdication' of its commitment to justice after it emerged that Britain is backing moves by Libya, the Arab League and several African countries to halt the indictment of Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague."
article: Britain blocks prosecution of Sudan's ruler

Britain & France will support freezing indictment of Sudan president:
The British and French government will back efforts in the UN to stall the issuance of an arrest warrant for Sudan president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir, the Guardian reported today.
article: http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28618

Amnesty International has Background Information on the ICC and Darfur
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition, is traveling to the UK to meet with the UK Minister for Africa, and is taking several prominent Human Rights activists from the UK, including high ranking officials from Amnesty International UK and Human Rights Watch UK. Jerry is going to try to persuade UK officials to reverse their decision.
You can see a video of Darfuri civil society leaders saying how important the ICC investigation is as well as send an email to President Bush by going to their blog."
http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/09/10/darfuris-speak-about-icc-charges/.

9/15/08 Save Darfur (ACTION)

"The presidential candidates have pledged to pursue an end to the Darfur genocide with "unstinting resolve."We're going to hold our next president to his promise by uniting one million people to declare with one voice: The next president must make Darfur a Day One priority.
Sign the postcard now urging the president-elect to keep his pledge—and take decisive action to help end the genocide.
Add Your Voice

9/14/08 Congo-Kinshasa: Rape Survivors Break Silence At UN-Organized Event

"The day-long programme in the eastern city of Goma is part of a joint campaign - "Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource, Power to Women and Girls in DRC" - organized by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls. "It's a historic occasion in the Democratic Republic of Congo in that for the first time women survivors are publicly speaking out on the situation of sexual violence," UNICEF spokesperson Jaya Murthy said in an interview with UN Radio."
article: Rape Survivors Break Silence

9/13/08 Sudanese army 'bombing N Darfur'

"Darfur rebels claim government forces have launched more ground and air attacks on their positions and villages in North Darfur."
article: Sudanese army 'bombing N Darfur'

International Day of Peace is September 21

http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/
http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.com/

9/12/08 Thank you GI Net!

Genocide Intervention Network featured Letters of Hope on their blog today.  Please check it out here:
http://www.genocideintervention.net/blog/2008/09/12/letters_of_hope
We will be updating the Letters page soon with the added partner in Project Education Sudan who will be delivering letters to their schools in Sudan. We need to get Round 2 of the letters completed by Dec. 1.

9/12/08 Some great links

Nuba Water Project Photos from Khartoum and Nuba Mountains
Eat So they Can
Dry Tears
Petition from one.org

9/11/08 Invisible Children launches GO!

Invisible Children has made tremendous strides for the people of Uganda. They provide jobs for people in IDP camps through their bracelet campaign and are helping children go to school, and provide books. Their "Schools for Schools" program has raised over 3 million to rebuild schools in Northern Uganda.
HELP RESTORE HOPE IN NORTHERN UGANDA!
Check out this amazing video: GO

9/11/08 Genocide by Denial

"In a new book, Genocide by Denial: How Profiteering from HIV/AIDS Killed Millions, Dr Peter Mugyenyi tells the story of the AIDS epidemic in Uganda from its frontlines: hospitals, orphanages, graveyards, witch doctors' homes – everywhere but from a drug supply cupboard."
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=80278

9/11/08 Sudan militiamen kill 5 IDPs in attack on North Darfur camp - rebels

"Officials from Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement told Sudan Tribune that pro-government militiamen, Janjaweed, had attacked today evening at 06:30pm Zamzam camp, killing five displaced and wounded dozens others...
They also said that this attack comes in line with President Omer Al-Bashir statements that displaced should forcibly quit the camps...
Last month Sudanese troops killed more than thirty IDPs in the volatile camps of Kalma in South Darfur...
WESTERN DARFUR BOMBING CONTINUES:
In another development, Al-Nur said Sudanese military Gunship helicopters and Antonov planes bombed today Amar Jadid and Tarni locations in eastern Jebel Mara.
He added that the aerial attack destroyed the Tarni school. He also said civilians suffered causalities and figures would be available soon."
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article28580

9/10/08 NEW attacks in Darfur by military

"On September 10th the government of Sudan launched new attacks on ZamZam Camp for internally displaced persons. Many of those who were injured and killed were already forced to flee their homes one, two or three times. This attack comes a week after an attack on Kalma Camp by government troops.
http://www.stopgenocidenow.org/actions/2008/09/10/746

09/08/08 Sudan Controls Towns in Darfur

"Sudan – Rebel groups reported on Monday that, after two days of battles, Sudanese armed forces took control of towns in North Darfur."
http://www.impunitywatch.com/impunity_watch_africa/2008/09/sudan-controls.html

9/08/08 Ditto Gallery - Exhibit Darfur

Refer back to my post from 8/29.

"The exhibit has been such a success, that it will be traveling, to be used for education, advocacy, fundraising, and/or awareness.  If you or someone you know would be interested in hosting Exhibit Darfur in your city please contact me at jeffs@gristudios.com."
See Ditto Gallery's official photos: http://www.dittogallery.com/edpics/

9/06/08 Sudanese government attacks rebel bases

"Sudanese forces launched ground and air attacks on at least three rebel positions in North Darfur today, killing an unknown number of people, insurgent groups said."
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0906/breaking42.htm

BTM will be out of the office. Updates will resume 9/11.

9/05/08 Don't Let Bashir Escape Justice

Send a message to President Bush, and tell him the US must oppose and veto any attempt to suspend the case against al-Bashir.
http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign/article16/i85xdxd2075bx76d?

9/05/08 Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain’s message to the refugees

http://www.stopgenocidenow.org/home/2008/09/05/745

9/04/08 No peacekeepers deployed near Darfur camp that was attacked last week

"Darfur Internally Displaced People (IDPs) at Kalma camp in South Darfur said there are no peacekeepers deployed near the camps to protect civilians and prevent government troops from attacking them again.
Yesterday the hybrid mission said that it decided to deploy, on a permanent basis, a joint force of the UNAMID Military and Police, following fears that the camp could be once again raided by the government troops.
However, Darfur IDPs spokesperson, Hussein Abu Sharati said they didn’t notice any peacekeepers deployed near the camp where he lives. He further said they had been told by the deputy head of the hybrid operation that UNAMID could be able to protect them within some months.
article: No peacekeepers

9/03/08 Darfur, fears of a new attack

"Sudanese forces accused of killing more than 30 people in a raid on a Darfur camp have started to build up their position outside the settlement, raising fears of a new attack"
"The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, known as Unamid, said a patrol had seen Sudanese police erecting tents at a new base close to the Kalma camp for displaced people in south Darfur."
article: UN: Sudan forces build up outside Darfur camp

9/02/08 Some great new photos from Darfur

Nicholas Kristof mentioned in his latest article, "Mia Farrow is just back from a stay on the Chad-Darfur border, and she has her regular updates on her blog. She traveled with a recent Harvard Law graduate, Bec Hamilton, who took lots of photos and set up a slideshow gallery that anybody can visit. The photos will give you a good idea of the refugee situation in Chad for Darfuris."

The gallery has some really great photos. Please click on the slideshow link above.

9/02/08 UN launches campaign to text message for peace

The United Nations launched a text messaging for peace campaign today, urging cell phone users in the United States to compose peace messages to be published on a website and delivered to world leaders gathered for the General Assembly later this month.
One of the events promoting the International Day of Peace, held on 21 September to observe “a day of ceasefire and non-violence”, encourages US cell phone users to send 160-character text messages starting with the word ‘PEACE’ to phone number 69866."
article: text for peace

09/02/08 Congo-Kinshasa: 15 Aid Workers, Two Crew Killed in Plane Crash Near Bukavu

""There were no survivors," Amy Cathey, base manager for Air Serv International in the town of Goma, told reporters.
"We don't yet have the official [passenger] list so we don't know the nationality of the passengers or the organisations they worked for," said Christophe Illemasene, spokesman for MONUC, the UN Mission in DRC."
article: Plane crash in Congo

8/29/08 My report on the Exhibit Darfur opening at Ditto Gallery

We recently had the pleasure of attending Exhbit Darfur in Denver. It was an amazing night with inspiring speakers and gifted photography. We were introduced to many great organizations and fighters for the cause.
You can check out the details on my report here: Exhibit Darfur Event

Also, please note that I have added a few new links to the grassroots section:

2011 Photo Project
Nuba Water Project
Project Education Sudan
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP!

8/28/08 Report on Congolese living in Fear

This is an interesting and extensive report on people in Congo living in fear and expressing their own views on justice and peace. Try to imagine if this was you.
Report: Congo-Kinshasa: Justice or Peace? War Victims Speak
Some interesting bits:
- 93 % reported income less than US $2/day. 85% report income less than US $1/day. 22% reported no income.
- Page 28 shows a graph of issues and how they rank in importance. The highest rated issue was PEACE at 50%, Then (in this order) security, money, education, Food/water, health and so on.
- See page 31 for percentages on their sense of safety.
- Page 32 shows their opinion on where they get protection from: (exampe is from N. Kivu)
National Congo army 25%, God/Jesus 44%, Police 8%, nobody 6.9%, MONUC 6.2%, government 3.8 & 1.3%, family/friends 2%, militia .4%
- Page 37: Lack of water/food 87%, Lack of housing 74%, lack of healthcare 83%, house destroyed 66%, livestock stolen 76%, land stolen 54%
- Page 38: Disappearance of household member 60%, enslaved 53%, abducted 48%, beaten 46%, tortured 36%, wounded 32%, arrested 31%,
- Page 39: violent death of household member 42%, violent death of family or friend 61%, death to malnutrition or disease 56%

8/27/08 Sudanese security forces attack IDP camp in Darfur

"An estimated 64 people were killed and 117 others wounded as a result of (Monday’s) exchange of gunfire inside the Kalma camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Darfur state, according to information provided to UNAMID staff who later visited the site.
article: UN mission in Darfur condemns ‘excessive’ use of force at displaced camp

No Updates 8/22-8/26, BTM out of office for an event

8/21/08 Egypt: Deadly journey through the desert

"We fled from death but death is after us; we don't know what is happening to our relatives back home in camps for the displaced. Staying there would have been better than what happened to us”
A Sudanese refugee from the Darfur region who attempted to cross the border of Egypt with Israel and served a one year prison sentence in Egypt"

Basically, Darfuris seeking refuge in Egypt will be shot if they are caught crossing the border.

"Instead of instructing the border guards not to use excessive force, the Egyptian authorities have arrested on charges of “attempting to exit unlawfully the Egyptian eastern border” and tried more than 1,300 sub-Saharan refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants before military courts which flout international standards for fair trial.
Other refugees, asylum seekers and migrants have been forcibly returned to possible torture. In August 2007, 48 people who had managed to cross the border were forcibly returned to Egypt by the Israeli authorities; according to reports, around 20 of them were then forcibly returned from Egypt to Sudan without having been given access to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office to assess their asylum claims. The fate of the others remains unknown.
article: Deadly journey through the desert

8/20/08 DR Congo: UN peacekeepers deployed to east after rebel attacks

"United Nations peacekeepers and soldiers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been jointly deployed in the eastern provinces of Ituri and Orientale to protect civilians after attacks by the rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)."
article: LRA in DRC

8/20/08 CONGO: Government sets sights on infant mortality

"According to a 2005 demographic and health survey, 781 of every 100,000 births resulted in the death of the mother. The same survey showed the infant and juvenile mortality rates to be 75 and 117 per thousand respectively. The survey also showed that there had been no improvement in these indicators since 1990."
article: Government sets sights on infant mortality

8/19/08 Amnesty says Sudan preparing new courts over rebels attack

"Sudan formed three "Anti-Terrorism Special Courts" to try alleged rebels charged of waging war against the state and the illicit use of weapons after an attack by the Justice and Equality Movement on May 10. Some 38 defendants were sentenced to death by the courts.
Amnesty International Monday said that the Sudanese government holds hundreds of people – including women and a nine-month-old – without charge or access to lawyers. Further the rights organisation said that Khartoum prepare to try another 109 defendants in the special courts.
"Many are still unaccounted for and Amnesty International has received reports of torture and ill-treatment from people who were released and fears those still detained are at high risk of torture or that they have been disappeared." Amnesty said."
article: Sudan Tribune & Amnesty International

8/18/08 Sudanese President entrusted to head Darfur national conference

"The national unity government main partners agreed to choose President Omer al-Bashir as chairman of a national conference to resolve Darfur conflict...
The initiative intends to bring justice for Darfur people, fight the violence and to restore security in the region, he said. Adding, it also should adopt a plan to reconstruct and develop the economy of the three states in Darfur.
The conference also should tackle the humanitarian aspect of the crisis including the issue of security, repatriation of the displaced and refugees to their villages after receiving their due compensations."

Comments by readers posted on this article:

- "Now the lion is supposed to oversee the security of the gazelles! History in the making in terms of absurdity and unpracticality! "
- "One thing is clear though, Bashir is beginning to feel some heat about the Darfur issue. Gone are the days of the rhetoric of not yielding to external pressure.It’s no longer a government of Sudan’s problem, it is Bashir’s and he must do something to save his neck."
article: Sudanese President entrusted to head Darfur national conference

8/15/08 Media Alert

60 Minutes – re-airing “War Against Women” with Anderson Cooper
Sunday, August 17, 7:00pm ET

8/15/08 Final Day for Darfur Olympics

Please check out Mia Farrow's final video message for the Darfur Olympics

Also check out 24 hours for Darfur

8/15/08 A Letter from a Fur woman to Sudan

Please check out the poem/letter by Ahmed Elzobier on Sudan Tribune.

8/14/08 Protect the women of Darfur (ACTION)

"The women in Darfuri refugee camps regularly fall prey to a targeted campaign of rape encouraged by the Sudanese government.
Peacekeepers have tried to protect women, but they have failed because they are short of resources and stretched too thin to do the job.
Fill out the form to call on Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to act on behalf of the women of Darfur by pushing for full UNAMID deployment.

8/14/08 Ask Congress to Support Peace in the D.R. Congo (ACTION)

"On August 1st, the BBC reported that the "Government forces and rebel troops are rearming and recruiting for conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo."  In addition, Laurent Nkunda, leader of the rebel group National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) is recruiting not only in the eastern Congo, but also in Rwanda and Burundi. 
In July, in a 10-day mission in the war torn territories of Masisi and Rutshuru in eastern Congo, Human Rights Watch documented that CNDP and many other rebel groups continue to slaughter civilians. "In Gashavu village on April 20, CNDP combatants arrested and tied up four men and a 12-year-old boy and then beat them to death with large sticks. Six other civilians were abducted, including a woman and a 15-year-old girl," said Human Rights Watch."...  
Click here to ask your representatives in Congress to act today to prevent an increase in violence in Congo. 

8/14/08 Japan grants Sudan $5.8m for child health programme

"The funds will be used to provide an essential package of primary health care services, benefiting some 5.5 million people.
Since the signing of the 2005 peace agreement, UNICEF and partners such as WHO support the vaccination of 8.9 million children against polio, 3.5 million children against measles, as well as distributing 910,000 bed nets to protect families from malaria...
However less than one-third of children in Sudan are immunized against all the major diseases, more than half of women are not protected against neo-natal tetanus, and less than one-fifth of families have access to bed nets to protect against malaria."
article: Japan grants Sudan $5.8m for child health programme

8/13/08 Rebels Describe New Government Attacks in Darfur

"The Sudan Liberation Army rebel group says the Sudanese army has launched a new offensive in northern Darfur.
Suleiman Marajan, a commander for a faction of the Sudan Liberation Army, says a convoy of 270 government vehicles on Tuesday attacked rebel positions near Atron, in the north of Darfur, near the border with Libya.
"The situation now in North Darfur, is very terrible,"...
"After the letter from the ICC, Omar al-Bashir is now going to start a new war in Darfur," he said. "Because he wants to control all the area and say to the international community, no SLA, no JEM, no anything, now we have got a peace by force."
article: New attacks in Darfur

8/13/08 Darfur Commander Appeals for Helicopters

""Unfortunately, we were sent to the boxing ring with our hands tied behind us," said General Agwai...
It lacks two heavy logistic elements, one transport company, one civilian aircraft and most critically, six attack helicopters and 18 utility and transport helicopters.
"Nobody has made an offer of that," ...
A recent report from an aviation expert, that was widely accepted as authoritative, said more than 20 countries have surplus aircraft that could meet the needs of the Darfur peacekeepers. Asked why he thought no one was offering, General Agwai pointed to the report's assertion that some countries simply do not want to get drawn into the Darfur crisis."
article: Darfur Commander Appeals for Helicopters

8/13/08 Shoes for Darfur

CANDLES Holocaust Museum in Indiana is teaming up with Samaritan's Feet to collect new shoes for Darfur.

"We are working with Samaritan's Feet to collect 1,000,000 pairs of shoes for all the barefoot kids in Darfur!"
Check out their links if you'd like to participate."

8/12/08 *PricewaterhouseCoopers donates $4 million to educate Darfur's refugees*

"PricewaterhouseCoopers has donated US$4 million towards the education of refugee children in eastern Chad's camps, in the single largest corporate donation ever received by the UN refugee agency.
The firm, also known as PwC, presented UNHCR with a cheque for US$4 million in New York on Monday. The funds will be used to build and operate schools for refugee children who have fled the conflict in Darfur, western Sudan. Specifically, more than 20,000 children aged between six and 14 years in the refugee camps of Iridimi, Touloum and Am Nabak in eastern Chad will have access to education in a safe learning environment. The children and their teachers will receive a daily meal. Teacher training and school supplies will also be provided."
article: $4 million donation

8/12/08 Congo's former "Triangle of Death" becomes source of hope again

Nice to have some good news in Congo.

"the UNHCR-GTZ project now aims to construct roads, bridges, shelters, water points and other facilities to make it possible for displaced people and returned refugees to rebuild their lives after spending many years in exile in neighbouring countries. Implementation of the project in 39 villages began in March 2007, helping more than 10,000 families.
Last year the programme also trained 45 carpenters and built 305 houses. More than 300 people also received bicycles, breeding cows and seeds for cash crops to allow them to make money and support themselves. Other credit and savings schemes are helping farmers start commercial agricultural activities.
The project has already rehabilitated 54 kilometres of feeder roads, built eight bridges and constructed 10 wells to allow people to move more freely and sell their produce in markets."
article: Congo's new hope

8/12/08 Darfur Olympics

Check out the video for day 5 of Mia Farrow in Darfur. She talks to the Darfuris about thei opinions on the ICC indictment, and the issue of peace vs. justice.

Day 5 of 8: Justice for the Darfurian People?

8/11/08 Congocast Blog

I am always interested in the blog updates on congocast. I hope you will check out the latest one.
they have a good way of not only bringing you into their reality and reminding you of these women and their stories, but they are able to make you realize that these are not just a bunch of women sitting in huts waiting to be attacked, these are women that used to have 'normal' lives, with husbands and families, and jobs, etc. Sometimes it's easy to forget or to just try not to imagine what their life could be, or used to be. I urge you to know their stories.
..."It was their stories of life before the war that started to chip away at my bricks.  Jeorgette was married in a church - just like me.  Vumilia had had a business, her husband was a merchant.  Joni was a pastor’s wife.  Faida’s husband had worked for a company as the local manager.   They sounded like my friends, my family.. like me."...
Read BLOG

8/11/08 INTERVIEW: ICC prosecutor dismisses Sudan special courts on Darfur

This is a great interview with Ocampo
article: Interview with Ocampo

8/11/08 Sudan expert accuses UN official of concealing information on Darfur

Sudan Tribune's article on Eric Reeves accusations: Concealing information on Darfur
Eric Reeves article: Victims of Genocide in Darfur: Past, Present, and Future

“As one Darfur refugee put it to me, ‘There is no justice in Sudan. If there was, we would not be here.’”

Interesting...
"The real question remains one that Jean-Marie Guéhenno was asking months ago, and which has no less obvious an answer at present than it did last November:
“Do we move ahead with the deployment of a force that will not make a difference, that will not have the capability to defend itself and that carries the risk of humiliation of the Security Council and the United Nations and tragic failure for the people of Darfur?"
We need to keep asking the question not because the answer is unclear, but because we have done nothing to make the question less exigent in assessing the UNAMID force currently in Darfur."

8/11/08 Bush urges China to use clout with Sudan on Darfur

"My attitude is if you've got relations with (Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir), think about helping to solve the humanitarian crisis in Darfur," Bush said in an interview with NBC Sports. "That was my message to the Chinese government."
"Joey Cheek has just got to know that I took the Sudanese message for him (to the Chinese government)," Bush said."
article: Bush urges China to use clout with Sudan on Darfur

8/8/08 Darfur Withers as Sudan Sells Food

This article has some very interesting details, I hope you read it in full.

"Even as it receives a billion pounds of free food from international donors, Sudan is growing and selling vast quantities of its own crops to other countries, capitalizing on high global food prices at a time when millions of people in its war-riddled region of Darfur barely have enough to eat."
article: Darfur Withers as Sudan Sells Food

8/8/08 www.darfurolympics.org

8/8/08 Resolve Uganda Report

"The LRA - though no longer active in Uganda - has continued its atrocities in the region, launching more attacks and abductions in South Sudan and building more bases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo....
An outbreak of Hepatitis E has killed at least 104 northern Ugandans, many of them pregnant women. Crowded conditions in camps and inadequate sanitation facilities are partly responsible for the spread of the preventable disease.
The Ugandan government's top official for disaster preparedness said that 3.5 million people in northern and northeastern Uganda face starvation. Extreme weather and crop failure, as well as insecurity and rising food prices, have fueled the food crisis."
article: Resolve Uganda weekly Roundup

8/8/08 Where Once He Was Lost, Now He Is Found

Another great article about Lamong.
"You jerk Cheek's visa. We put Lomong in your face. And do it proudly." ...
"untold millions of people, in the next few days, will hear Lomong's life story, in his own words. In a half-hour monologue here on Friday, just 10 hours before he was to carry the flag, Lomong told a tale of grief, endurance, redemption and almost unimaginable hardship that captures in human terms every aspect of the Darfur tragedy. And without Lomong saying a single "controversial" political word, he highlighted China's culpability by cynically supporting the Sudanese regime as partner in the vast oil company PetroChina."
article: Lopez Lamong

8/8/08 Sudan floods displace more than 40,000

"The United Nations is scrambling emergency aid to more than 40,000 people displaced by floods in southern Sudan, a top regional official said on Thursday.
Seasonal heavy rains in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state caused the Kuom river to overflow in the town of Aweil, making 39,000 people homeless in the region, officials said."
article: Sudan floods

8/7/08 Enough Project Report

"In a report released today, the ENOUGH Project argues that China's long-term political and economic interests are threatened by its support for despots. While many western nations have deservedly withdrawn investments from Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Burma and worked to isolate these governments for their appalling human rights records, Chinese support is helping Sudanese President Omar el Bashir, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, and Burmese Senior General Than Shwe maintain power. What China has failed to calculate is that while it continues to garner short-term benefits from engaging such unsavory actors, the long-term cost of this approach will be highly deleterious."
Report: Blowback: How China torpedoes its investments

8/7/08 One.org petition (ACTION REQUEST)

We all know that poverty plays a big part in areas of conflict.
Please sign the Platforms Against Poverty Petition

8/7/08 SUDAN: From rebels to soldiers – the SPLA's transformation

"When we started as guerillas, we walked from Sudan to Ethiopia, carrying food and ammunition on our heads," said Col Kamilo Tafeng of the SPLA's new directorate for political and moral orientation. "Now, with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the SPLA has been transformed into a conventional army ... There is a tremendous change." ...
the SPLA has been transforming itself, not only in appearance, but also in attitude...
"During the war, we were thinking of fighting. Now we are thinking of human resource development,"...
The army, he added, is to create a new child protection unit in the coming weeks to ensure that no children are part of the SPLA's ranks.
The political wing of the former rebel movement, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), is also re-branding itself as it vies to be a national political party. In three years, a government of Southern Sudan has been created from scratch, complete with a legislative assembly, ministries and departments."...
article: From rebels to soldiers

8/6/08 2011 PHOTO PROJECT

Thanks to everyone that participated in the 2011 Photo Project. Click on the link for the final product.
I have also posted this photo on our Facebook GROUP. Everyone is welcome to join.
For more information: 2011 Referendum

8/6/08 Mia Farrow, Gold Medalist

This is a great article, please check it out in full.

"So now Mia is again among the Darfuris. She’ll be offering a glimpse of what the Darfuris are going through during the Olympics, in part because of China’s refusal to take the issue seriously. She’ll be webcasting daily reports as well as blogging. So take a look at them, at www.darfurolympics.org, and think of Mia out there in a dangerous area, standing up for the people of Darfur when the international community has forsaken them. And all she has is her rope."
article: Mia Farrow, Gold Medalist

8/6/08 Stop Genocide Now - Darfur Guerilla Action

"The victims of genocide are usually nothing but numbers—faceless and nameless. Today’s action is the start of a “GUERILLA” campaign that puts a face and name on the numbers. This action will go on for as long as necessary and will come in waves."
(Sample of printable poster)

Darfur Guerilla Action
JOIN THE FORUM

8/6/08 Lost-boy Lomong to carry U.S. flag

"The United States chose former Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong to carry their flag at Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony in a move that could embarrass Sudan and its ally China.
Lomong, who spent 10 years in a refugee camp after fleeing his native Sudan as a child, was given the honor after a vote by the team captains of the entire U.S. Olympic squad."...
article: Lost-boy Lomong to carry U.S. flag

8/6/08 China revokes visa of gold medalist, Darfur activist Cheek

"Olympic gold medalist and outspoken Darfur activist Joey Cheek has had his visa revoked by the Chinese embassy, hours before the speedskating champion was set to fly to