Yesterday, we reported on the urgent situation in Muhajiriya, South Darfur, where the government of Sudan is currently building up forces in preparation for a major offensive, placing the town’s 30,000 citizens in immediate danger.
In an alarming development following weeks of escalating violence between government and rebel forces, Khartoum has requested that UNAMID withdraw troops guarding the rebel-held town of Muhajiriya in South Darfur.
In this week’s issue: the Government of Sudan attempts to clear the way for new attacks in South Darfur, refugees in Burma face new threats, and re-shuffling of alliances causes confusion and concern in Congo
Quote of the week: On the joint Rwanda-DRC military operation targeting FDLR militia in eastern DRC…
The Darfur Peace Agreement seems like a long time ago – it was 2006, and the rebel movement showed its fracture lines to the world when of the three main rebel forces invited to the table signed the agreement (the SLA Minni Minawi) and the other two refused (SLA Abdel Wahid and the Justice and Equality Movement).Since then, the rebel groups have split into even more factions – some significant military and political players, and some just random bandits who are using the conflict as an excuse for violence and profit. And every attempt at a peace process since has failed.
The violence committed against Congolese and Southern Sudanese civilians by the Lord’s Resistance Army is worse than previously thought. Last Friday, GI-NET cited conservative reports of at least 620 people killed by the LRA since September. Reports issued this week indicate that over 1120 civilians have been killed, nearly doubling our original estimate.
In this week’s issue: DRC rebel leader Laurent Nkunda is arrested, thousands more are displaced in fighting between Darfur rebel factions, attempts at diplomatic negotiations continue in Burma, and the International Criminal Court begins its first trial
Questions? Feedback? Contact STAND’s Education Team at education@standnow.org or leave a comment!
On December 3, you, and thousands of other students like you, took a STAND to protect civilians in Darfur and Burma. Thank you so much for supporting GI-NET’s groundbreaking initiatives to transform the world’s response to genocide from one of humanitarian response to one of prevention and protection.
This morning, January 23, CNDP rebel leader Laurent Nkunda was arrested by Rwandan troops after fleeing North Kivu. The arrest, coupled with the recent ceasefire between the government and a rival CNDP faction under top commander Bosco Ntaganda, may help make progress in the peace process in eastern Congo.
For 6 years, United States policy on the Darfur genocide has been all talk and little action. While some progress has been made, the genocide continues in Sudan.
I just got back from watching Barack Obama officially become the 44th President of the United States. With his inauguration comes a new opportunity for change in Darfur; we’ve been screaming for years and at long last, an opportunity has finally come. But better yet, we’re ready.
It’s time for change.
In this week’s issue: Fighting breaks out between rebel factions in Darfur, the US imposes new sanctions on Burma, and the LRA continues to massacre civilians in eastern DRC.
Questions? Contact STAND’s Education Team at education@standnow.org or leave a comment!
