A FACT SHEET ON THE CRISIS IN DARFUR

[Originally posted at
http://www.peacethrujustice.org/home.htm,
this article pulls together and clairifies our Milosevic, Ndindiliyimana and Sudan: 3 on a Genocide]

A FACT SHEET ON THE CRISIS IN DARFUR

Prepared by: The Committee for Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation in
Sudan; a project of The Peace And Justice Foundation.

Sudan is the largest country, in land mass, on the African continent. It
has an estimated population of 40 million people, comprised of many
different tribes and ethnic groups. Its population is reportedly 70 %
Muslim, 25 % animist, and 5% Christian.

Darfur, which is located in western Sudan, is about the size of France
and predominantly Muslim. It is home for approximately 80 tribes and
ethnic groups, divided between nomads and sedentary communities. It is
an ecologically fragile area, subject to periodic conflict over access
to water and grazing lands. In the past, these conflicts would be
settled by traditional African resolution, but with the increased
desertification of the land, and the influx of high powered armaments
from abroad, the conflicts have become more frequent and dangerously
intense.

Despite its ecological fragility, however, Darfur, like southern Sudan,
has been found to be rich in oil. (And to the chagrin of other national
governments and multinational corporations, the Chinese National
Petroleum Corporation reportedly holds a large oil concession in
Darfur.)

According to reports reviewed by The Committee for Truth, Justice and
Reconciliation in Sudan, the present crisis in Darfur began in earnest
in February 2003, when conflict erupted between two armed groups (who
complained of alleged discriminatory policies from the central
government) and the Government of Sudan.

A little relevant background

FACT: America has actively funded a terrorist rebel militia in the
South, known as the "Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA)," to fight
against the Sudanese government and spread disenchantment in the south
against the government in the north. The US sponsored SPLA has committed
untold atrocities in Sudan, both against government troops as well as
civilians (Muslim and Christian). The Economist Magazine described the
SPLA as "little more than an armed gang of Dinkas. killing, looting and
raping. Its indifference, almost animosity, towards the people it was
supposed to be 'liberating' was all too clear." [The Economist, March
1998]

FACT: During the Clinton Administration, Secretary of State Madeline
Albright met with the terrorist leader of the SPLA, John Garang, to
extend the hand of American friendship and material support in the form
of "humanitarian aid." The Sunday Times (of Britain) reported on
11/17/96, that the Clinton administration was supporting the terrorist
SPLA in order to ". destabilize the government of Sudan... More than
$20m of military equipment, including radios, uniforms and tents will be
shipped to Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda in the next few weeks. Although
the equipment is earmarked for the armed forces of those countries, much
of it will be passed on to the SPLA, which is preparing an offensive
against the government in Khartoum."
(A similar report also appeared in the 11/10/96 issue of the Washington
Post.)

FACT: It appears that the objective of the warmongers is to divide Sudan
into two, or possibly three, separate entities. This neocolonial plan of
divide and conquer has been a recurring style used by the western
colonialists to facilitate their hegemony over the Muslim (and
non-Muslim) world. The Guardian newspaper (of Britain), in a 5/1/98
report, backed up this analogy by comparing the events in Sudan (at that
time) with US actions in South America and Southern Africa:

"Welcome to the 1980s. Long live Ronald Reagan. Remember the scenario -
a rebel group being trained and armed by the CIA to topple a sovereign
government, cross-border incursions from secluded camps, and the whole
de-stabilization exercise backed by international sanctions and a
massive propaganda campaign. It sounds like Nicaragua or Angola circa
1984. In fact it's Sudan 1998."

The Crisis in Darfur

FACT: The crisis in Darfur has been solely attributed to the Sudanese
Government, and their alleged proxies known as the "Janjaweed." The
conflict is repeatedly described in Arab vs. Black African terms. The
fact is, however, that two well armed groups - known as the "Sudan
Liberation Army" (SLA), and the "Justice and Equality Movement" (JEM),
were the aggressors in this tragic [now] 18 month old conflict - and,
reportedly, were better equipped (militarily) than government forces in
the region. (It is also a fact that the US and British governments -
with the zealous support of both Israeli and Christian Zionists - have
been actively stoking the flames of conflict in Sudan for many years.)

FACT: In the words of an internationally acclaimed "authority" on Sudan,
Alex de Waal:
"Characterizing the Darfur war as, 'Arabs' vs. 'Africans,' obscures the
reality. Darfur's Arabs are black, indigenous, African and Muslim - just
like Darfur's non-Arabs. Until recently, Darfurians used the term 'Arab'
in its original sense of 'Bedouin.' These Arab speaking nomads are
distinct from the inheritors of the Arab culture of the Nile and the
Fertile Crescent." (The Observer, July 25, 2004)

FACT: While mistakes have indeed been made by the Sudanese Government,
and much more is needed from the government in order to abate the
crisis, an objective perusal of the available facts suggests that the
Government of Sudan has made sincere attempts to address this
multi-faceted political and humanitarian crisis; and further, to hold
all those who are guilty of crimes against humanity accountable.

FACT: After the Sudanese Government and UN Secretary General Kofi Anan
reached a "90 day agreement" for arresting the conflict in Darfur, the
UN Security Council, led by America and Britain, pushed through a
"Resolution" threatening sanctions against the Sudanese Government if
certain conditions were not met within "30 days." (Sound familiar?)

In response to such arbitrarily applied pressures, Sudanese President
Omar al-Bashir noted in a July 26, 2004, interview: "The question that
imposes itself truly is, Why the hurry? Why didn't those concerned about
Darfur wait until the end of the three months to which we are committed
in our agreement with the UN Secretary General? After that period the
results can be evaluated to decide whether we have succeeded or failed.
Then each side can judge based on facts and not mere speculation. There
is.a deliberate distortion of our capacity as a state to shoulder our
national responsibilities."

FACT: The crisis in Darfur has provided a convenient, and sorely needed,
diversionary cover for the international warmongers.

Conclusion: It is absolutely shameful, and truly one of the great
ironies of modern times, that some of the very actors on the humans
rights front (both in America and abroad), who have decried the
American, British and Israeli governments - for a campaign of lies in
the commission of war crimes, GENOCIDE, and/or other violations of
international law - now find themselves in lockstep agreement with these
very same governments on the issue of Sudan! (Something to think about.)
Feel free to contact us at: (301) 762-9162, or via E-mail:
peacethrujustice@aol.com


"Strive as in a race to achieve the
goal of excellence in all that you do."

For real insights visit:

http://www.geocities.com/mewatch99/

Regards,
Nashid