The situation in eastern DRC went from bad to catastrophic this week as ethnic Tutsi rebels led by General Laurent Nkunda launched a major offensive in the provincial capital of Goma. In the resulting chaos civilians became targets for both rebels and government forces, causing tens of thousands to flee the city. A tense ceasefire seems to be holding at the moment, but conflict threatens to erupt again at and any time and thousands of lives remain at risk.

Working for peace on another continent may at times feel far away – but at times we are reminded how close to home this conflict really is.

The Sudan Hope Concert is one of those times that reminds us of that. Tomorrow, Saturday, November 1, young Sudanese musicians, performing artists, and poets living in the United States are coming together to perform with the hope of broadcasting their support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and their concern for the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Have you emailed media@standnow.org?

The STAND Media Team is ready to help your chapter get the media attention it deserves! Our Regional Media Coordinators – Sejal, Monique, Jenny, Libby, and Kaden – can’t wait to meet you; you’ve just got to email them first.

We all know far too well the pattern of ethnic-driven destruction, underdevelopment, and polarization that has faced Darfur over the years – and unfortunately, this pattern is not unique to Darfur. There is a larger, overarching pattern of discrimination and destruction by the central Government of Sudan that has plagued many of Sudan’s diverse people.

The International Crisis Group has just released a report entitled: “Sudan’s Southern Kordofan Problem: the Next Darfur?”, which exposes this pattern in the region of Southern Kordofan.

This week’s highlights: the security situation in Darfur , UN frustrations with Burma, rebel offensives in Congo, and more…

Sudan:

When you fast for civilian protection on December 3rd, you won’t be alone.  Check out these celebrities joining you in your STANDFast:

-Mia Farrow, Actress and Activist

-Samantha Power, Author and Founder of the Carr Centre for Human rights

-John Prendergast, former Clinton Advisor and founder of ENOUGH

-Nick Kristof, New York Times Columnist

-Jerry Fowler, President of the Save Darfur Coalition

Registration may be closed for STAND Out Loud, the National Student Conference 2008, but that doesn’t mean you’re left out.

Keep an eye out for more info on Chapter Retreats occurring in states around the country early in the Spring semester, and get in touch with your Outreach Coordinator on other ways to learn the activist tools we’re going over at the National Conference.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon released a report covering Dafur from January, 2008 until the present – the highlights of which are below:

Security and Humanitarian Situation

What will you give up on December 3rd?

Now that chapters are planning their STANDFasts, we’ve got the tools to help you make STANDFast the best it can be.  Check out the STANDFast site here for tips on fundraising, getting media attention, involving local celebrities, and more.

Fighting between the Ethiopian-backed Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Islamist insurgents and nationalists continues to rage on in Somalia. Throughout the last month over 61,000 people have been displaced by fighting the war-torn country, including 5,500 people uprooted from the capital Mogadishu over the past week. In addition to the displaced, 80 civilians have reportedly been killed and hundreds more wounded.