Details are emerging of a fresh attack in North Darfur on a United Nations - African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) .   The ambush happened between the villages of Gusa Jamat and Wadah (see map below) at 2:45 local time and killed approximately seven peacekeepers, and wounded another 22 more.  The United Nations is reporting that “heavy weapons” were used, and that the scurmish lasted approxmately two hours.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the attacks, and called for local and national actors to be mindful of previous commitments to the on-going peace process.  Mr. Ban also issued his condolences to the family members affected by the attack.

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Audio: A statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General regarding the attacks on UNAMID forces in North Darfur. Download. (1:33)

 

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The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and Law discussed violence in Sudan and the United States’ inability to prosecute those who have committed crimes against humanity when the are in the United States. Dianne Orentlicher, a lawyer from the Open Society Justice Initiative urged the committee to promote legislation that would show strong opposition to crimes against humanity.

Orentlicher said the United States should prosecute those responsible for committing human rights violations, in particular those who currently reside in the United States. According to Orentlicher, those guilty of crimes against humanity can be prosecuted in American courts for torture or visa fraud but crimes against humanity are not currently violations of federal law. She said many Americans are unaware that these crimes are not currently punishable under U.S. law. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) noted that Salvadoran military leaders responsible for killings in El Salvador, including the deaths of four American women, currently live in Miami.

Daoud Hari, a Darfuri refugee who currently lives in Maryland, described his experience as a villager and translator to the committee. In his testimony, Hari asked Congress to pressure the Department of State to allow more Darfuri refugees to gain asylum in the United States. Currently, the United States has granted four other Darfuri refugees residence. Hari also asked the United States to fund the UN World Food Programme’s efforts in the region.

Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of Team Darfur Joey Cheek discussed his organizations call for an Olympic Truce, an effort that would promote peace during the Olympic Games through international reconciliation and dialogue. Cheek said that youth are offended by the actions of the Sudanese government and disturbed that mass killings continue to occur knowingly.

I developed great sadness while making the video about the Christian Solidarity International/Talkers Magazine Trip to Southern Sudan video, and have written an extended post about it on my personal website.

Click here to visit my personal website and read my thoughts on this video.

March 11, 2008, Talkers Magazine and Christian Solidarity International co-sponsored a trip to Southern Sudan and Southern Darfur. Radio Hosts included Joe Madison (XM Satellite Radio and WOL-AM), Thom Hartmann (Syndicated), Jack Rice (WCCO), Rusty Humphries (Syndicated), Ellen Ratner (Talk Radio News Service), and Dr. John Eibner of Christian Solidarity International. The group brought with them “Sacks of Hope” which are sponsored by donations.

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Deng Deng Nhial of the Mission of the Government of Southern Sudan to the U.S. blames the silence of “the Muslim voices” on the ability of the Sudanese government to manipulate the international community. He says that the government will destroy any dissidents and remain in power “at all cost.”

 

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Suliman Giddo, the President of Darfur Peace and Development, gives instructions to the Muslim community on how to help the situation in Sudan. He says that Muslims must spread information about the violence in Sudan, work to hold the government accountable, and support the reconciliation of Muslim Arabs and non-Arabs. (1:00)

 

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The American Islamic Congress held a discussion of “Violence in Sudan: Muslim and Arab Responses.” Deng Deng Nhial of the Mission of the Government of Southern Sudan to the U.S. said that the Sudanese government is using a strategy of Islamization to manipulate the Sudanese people. He warned that the country is like Mount Vesuvius and will disintegrate like the former Soviet Union if nothing is done. (more…)

Andrew S. Natsios, former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan, spoke of the looming civil war in Sudan along with the impending failure of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the nation’s second civil war. After the loss of the two major players involved with this peace agreement, Natsios stressed the serious weakening of all that the agreement signified.

Natsios said that the American population must focus on Sudan as a whole rather then simply focusing on the province of Darfur. He said that the problems in Darfur cannot be solved until the nation is politically and militarily united as a whole. (more…)

Former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios recounts telling a Sudanese journalist that the United States will help fix Sudan but that it does not have the leverage and power to do it alone, saying that neighboring countries have a greater influence on Sudanese politics. (0:58)

 

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Former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios says that a diplomatic approach must be taken due to the complexities that exist in Sudan, adding that the North-South relationship is on life support, not the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. (0:45)

 

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