I’m
thinking of a desert country. The population is mostly Muslim, which is
causing some sort of conflict. The country’s main export is oil, mostly
because there’s not a whole lot else there. Oh, 500 people die there
daily. Can you guess what country I’m thinking of?
It’s not
Iraq. It’s
not even in the Middle East. It’s actually
Sudan –
one of the lesser known countries in Africa. An
occasional feature of The
Washington
Post’s A22,
Sudan is
currently fighting a conflict of its own – a genocide. Centering mostly
around Darfur – a major
region in
Sudan,
this country has been undergoing mass murder and rape for three years. The
genocide has been organized by the Sudanese government, which is punishing
the minority groups of Darfur for attempting to
rebel against the government. The murders are systematically conducted by
a militant group known as the Janjaweed. Together, they form an
all-powerful force in
Sudan and
the general public is helpless.
This is a country whose death toll has just
broken 400, 000. This is a country where 2.5 million have been displaced
from their homes and 3.5 million are starving. This is a country were rape
is a daily fact of life. This is a country forgotten. This is the reality
in Darfur, and it’s happening right now.
However, the world has turned a blind eye toward the victims of
Darfur and all of its tragedies.
China and
Chad
receive a part of their oil supply from
Sudan and
in order to maintain this connection with the Sudanese government refuse
to vote in the UN. In order to maintain good relations with
China, the
countries have followed.
The people of Darfur
cannot speak. The countries of the world won’t speak. You have the
voice to do so. This year at Mason, a new organization called Students
Taking Action Now – Darfur (STAND) will be established. In this club, we
will do our best to raise awareness within the George Mason and
Falls Church communities, as
well as raise money to send to the refugee camps in
Darfur. We will also help sponsor an elementary
school for students who have been afflicted by the genocide. The people of
Darfur need your help. Will you STAND?
Pictures
http://www.watsoninstitute.org/images_news/DarfurEvent.jpg-
http://www.ursispaltenstein.ch/cgi-bin/EE/images/uploads_1/darfur_is_dying_1.jpg
