SUDAN : Key Facts

Size:Largest country in Africa. Equal to all of the U.S. east of the Mississippi

Capital:Khartoum

Population:39,000,000

Ethnicity:Black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

Religion:Sunni Muslim 70%, indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5%

Regional Variations are great;both the national government and northern Sudanare predominately Muslims of Arab descent.

Major exports:Oil and petroleum products ($2 billion a year).

BACKGROUND OF DARFUR CRISIS

  • Prior to the conflict, the population of Darfur was 6 million, an estimated 70%BlackAfrican or non-Arab.
  • Economic tension in Darfur between black Africans and Arabs dates back decades. The two groups have long competed over scarce land and water.
  • The present conflict erupted in February 2003, when two black African groupsattacked and captured the regional capital in central Darfur. They believed that the Government of Sudan discriminated against them and had excluded them from the negotiations between southern and northern Sudan to create a new government.
  • The rebellions in Darfur scared the Sudanese authorities because they feared that similarly neglected regions in the east would follow Darfur’s lead and would also demand large degrees of self-government. The Government of Sudan decided to use its military and “Janjaweed militias to destroy villages and kill or force the Black population to flee (note: both sides are predominately Muslim).
  • There's a division within the society between farmers and herders that is at the root of the tensions that are now being exploited by the Sudanese government. The government of Sudan uses the Arab population, the herding population, as force to put down the rebellion.
  • The Sudanese Government, using Arab "Janjaweed" militias, its air force, and organized starvation, is systematically killing the African communities in Darfur.

ANOTHER RWANDA?

Over a decade ago, the world community stood silent as nearly a million people were killed in the genocide in Rwanda. Now genocide is being committed in Darfur. It is not only a group's hatred that keeps this genocide going but once again it's the passive behavior of governments and bystanders.

The United Nations has acknowledged their mistake of inaction in the Rwanda genocide. Regarding the Rwanda genocide, President Bush said “Not on my watch”.

Already, as many as 400,000 have died. Currently, 6,000 are dying every month: twice as many as died on 9/11. The US and the international community must take action to prevent this genocide from reaching the scale of Rwanda.

WHAT CAN THE WORLD & THE U.S. DO?

1. Stop the Violence

  • Ensure the rapid and full deployment of the African Union force pledged for Darfur
  • Expand the African Union force’s mandate to include civilian protection or transition to NATO or a UN peacekeeping force (but withoutU.S. troops).

2. Provide the Aid

  • Deliver the food and financial resources pledged to assist the people of Sudan
  • Secure safe and unrestricted access for humanitarian agencies
  • Increase overall assistance to Sudan for emergency relief and long-term development

3. Resolve the Conflict

  • Hold the parties to the conflicts in Darfur and southern Sudan accountable for the commitments to peace they have made, and the crimes against humanity they have committed.
  • Provide a comprehensive framework for peace that addresses the conflicts in southern Sudan, eastern Sudan, throughout Darfur, northern Uganda, and eastern Chad.

Source: U.S. Bishops, CRS


WHAT CAN YOU DO : TAKE ACTION

EDUCATE:Yourself and others.More information about the crisis and genocide in Darfur is available from many sources, including:

  • Contact to find out about our parish’s efforts or visit the Archdiocese website
  • , Save Darfur – a coalition of 100 faith-based, humanitarian and human rights organizations devoted to ending the humanitarian crisis.
  • ,STAND, Students Taking Action Now: Darfur. For more information on UC’s STAND chapter, visit
  • , Catholic Relief Services – provides humanitarian relief in Sudan.

WRITE:Letters to the president and your elected representatives calling for action to end the violence, provide the aid, and resolve the conflict.

Please take a moment to send a letter to your congressional representative. Simple, personally composed letters are best.

Your Parish’s name here

Peace and Justice Committee