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Monday, March 29, 2010

LACK OF TENNIS TV COVERAGE CONTINUES TO BAFFLE THE MIND OF A TENNIS FAN - NADAL PLAYS RODDICK IN MIAMI SEMI FINAL 2010

Semi-Final
Rafa Nadal lost to Andy Roddick
6-4, 3-6, 3-6
Friday, April 2, 2010
Pictures



The final
April 4, 2010
Roddick versus Berdych
1:00 p.m
CBS has it scheduled for 2 hours at 1:00 p.m.

Possible online viewing (for free)


www.fromsport.com

www.atdhe.net

www.channelsurfing.net

www.myp2p.net

www.rojadirecta.com

Not Free
The Final will not be streamed live in USA at this site:

www.tennistv.com



Previous title for this post
RAFA NADAL AND DAVID FERRER in ROUND 4 in MIAMI 2010

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a point against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during day nine of the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 31, 2010 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America

UPDATE #2 on March 31, 2010:
Quarter Final
Rafael Nadal defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
6-3, 6-2
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Stadium Court
WAS NOT ON TV
Pictures

Semi-Final
Rafa Nadal versus Andy Roddick
Friday, April 2, 2010
1:00 p.m.
Stadium Court
I cannot figure out if it will be on TV
This is just confusing: tv-listings-search.cox
My TV remote says 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. will have the women's match on FSN/CSN.
So, I would recommend counting on watching it online.
I noticed today, that it said this, too,
but the men's QF (Verdasco and Berdych) match was on.


The Woes of Being a Tennis Fan
It is difficult to take that The Tennis Channel and FSN/CSN didn't air the Quarter final match of Rafa and Tsonga tonight.

I registered my complaint to The Tennis Channel:

Subject: Absolutely Poor Programming on TTC
Email address: programminginfo@thetennischannel.com

Dear The Tennis Channel,

I have waited a long time for The Tennis Channel to be available to my cable company in Rhode Island.

And now, that I have it finally this spring, I cannot believe that our own USA Sony Ericsson Open Miami tournament Quarter Final is not being carried live on TTC. This is an outrage. How can you call this good programming? Rafa Nadal and Tsonga in this QF and TTC is not showing it. Just ridiculous. Tennis gets no respect. No other major sport gets this kind of dismissive coverage.

Thank you for your kind consideration to this complaint.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UPDATE #1:

Round 4
Rafael Nadal defeated David Ferrer
7-6(5), 6-4
March 30, 2010
72 pictures

Quarter Final
Rafael Nadal versus Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Stadium Court
not before 9:00 a.m. USA EST

Berdych defeated Federer last night


Andy Roddick is in the Semi-Finals
He defeated Almagro 6-3, 6-3

Thursday, April 1, 2010 Schedule

Rafa happy after his win over David Nalbandian on Sunday
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill

Miami
Round 3
Rafael Nadal defeated David Nalbandian
6-7(8), 6-2, 6-2
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Nadal Wins article
Interview

Round 4
Rafael Nadal versus David Ferrer
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
are scheduled to play the 3rd match on Stadium Court
The first match begins "not before" 1:00 p.m.


Order of Play for Tuesday


TV
(FSN, CBS and The Tennis Channel)
TV Schedule


Photo credit: Al Bello

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a shot against David Nalbandian of Argentina during day six of the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 28, 2010 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America

The brown shorts are gone - Thankfully
Rafa talks about the Indian Wells brown diamond print shorts here
See the brown shorts here
It is the 18th video selection (highlights video)

Where can we watch tennis?

Fan Support Sites ~ Great sources of information

vamos brigade

Rafa's Babolat-sponsored forum


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"At the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends."

Martin Luther King


Sign the Petition:
Sudan sham 2010

United States, stop supporting the sham April 2010 elections in Sudan. In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. Our support gives the Government of al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve. It is a waste of American taxpayer money, and non-credible elections will fuel violence and divisions in a country that is already on the brink.

Obama Administration, engage at the highest level in bringing lasting peace, protection, and justice to Sudan, now!

Standing with Darfur

If you want peace, work for justice
إذا كنت تريد السلام ، أعمل من أجل العدالة

StopGenocideNow.org



Tweet this button to read: @JimLangevin Call for a Intelligence Committee special hearing re: #Sudan policy review and demand pressures and consequences #SudanSham

GENOCIDE WILL only STOP WITH US - Our leaders have taught us this







Contact links:

President Obama:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
or for organizations at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organizations

Secretary of State Clinton:
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

State Department Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/EngageStateDept


Ambassador Susan Rice:
http://archive.usun.state.gov/Issues/Contact2.html

Vice President Biden:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
or for organizations at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organizations

And at http://sudansham2010.org/page3/page3.html
do the tweets but replace any reference to Senate Resolution 404
with something important like "Gration has got to go"
in words of your choosing.

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

I LIVE on PLANET EARTH AND WANT HR 2478 PASSED

Tell elected officials that though you may not live in their state, you live on planet Earth and want this bill passed, so that we can stand being in the human race.
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I only have words.

My heart is aching.

I watched this. It is long for a video online - 55:08. The real story begins at 12:25 into the video. But I finally watched it all and all I can say is: WATCH it. PLEASE.

At 44:55 - a seminary student speaks - very important.

At 48:06 - a young boy, Jacob, speaks of his brother that was murdered by the Lords Resistance Army.

If the video doesn't load on my page, you can see it here

Then act.

There is a bill - HR 2478 that we need to get out of committee and on to the floor of the House of Representatives to vote on. And below are two key US Representatives that need to hear from you. Tell them that though you don't live in their state, you live on planet Earth and want this bill passed, so that we can stand being in the human race.

Re: Support and pass swiftly HR 2478 Lords Resistance Army and Northern Uganda Recovery Act

You can email the two Representatives - below is the contact information.

You can also call their offices using 1-800-GENOCIDE
- just insert 33155 for Florida's zip code
and 07102 for New Jersey's zip code
to be connected their offices.


Below was copied from this Facebook campaign effort to move this bill out of committee and on to the floor for a vote:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103304023042042&ref=nf

Congressman Chris Smith is the Senior Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is the Ranking Republican on the Africa Subcommittee. It is crucial to have his support of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act (HR 2478)

It comes down to YOUR VOICE. As constituents of Rep. Chris Smith, we need you to call his DC office and urge him to support the swift passage of HR 2478.

CALL EVERY DAY until it passes


Email Chris

Office Addresses, Phone Numbers and Fax Numbers

Washington, DC Office
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
p 202-225-3765
f 202-225-7768

Hamilton District Office
1540 Kuser Rd Suite A-9
Hamilton, NJ 08619
p 609-585-7878
f 609-585-9155

Whiting District Office
108 Lacey Road
Suite 38 A
Whiting Shopping Center
Whiting NJ 08759
p 732-350-2300
f 732-350-6260


>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:

So what do I need to do?

1. Call the DC office number (202-225-3765)

2. Here is what you can say:

"Hello my name is ____________________. I am a constituent of Congressman Smith and I'm calling today to voice my support for the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. Is the Congressman’s foreign affairs policy adviser available?

[If yes, connect to them and start over; if no, then move to the below]

"I believe that this two-decade war in central Africa deserves urgent U.S. attention, so I'm calling to strongly urge Congressman Smith to support the passage of HR. 2478. I know that the Congressman has a longstanding record of protecting human rights and helping the world’s most vulnerable. In particular, I commend Congressman Smith for his efforts towards Sudan and the DR Congo. Given that the LRA has been viciously attacking thousands of civilians in DRC and more recently, elements of the LRA have entered Darfur, I am hopeful that the Congressman will understand the urgency of this issue and support the bill's swift passage.

[Optional Personalization: "I first learned about the Lord's Resistance Army and the 23-year-long war in central Africa through ______________ and I have worked to raise the profile of this issue by doing/participating in __________________ here in New Jersey.]

"I hope to hear soon that Congressman Smith has listened to his constituents on this issue. Thank you so much for your time."

3. After your phone call, post a message on the event wall letting us know you called. (Do this every time)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Below was copied from this Facebook campaign effort to move this bill out of committee and on to the floor for a vote:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=529661307#!/event.php?eid=107599972594774&ref=mf

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, so it is crucial to have her support of the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act (HR 2478)

It comes down to YOUR VOICE. As constituents of Rep. Ros Lehtinen, we need you to call her DC office and urge her to support HR 2478.

CALL EVERY DAY until it passes.

For help in regards to legislative issues before her in the U.S. House of Representatives please contact:

Washington, DC Office
2470 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515-0918
Telephone: 202-225-3931
Fax: 202-225-5620

For help in regards to issues within our local community or assistance with a federal agency please contact:
Miami, Florida Office
4960 SW 72 Avenue
Suite 208
Miami, Florida 33155
Telephone: 305-668-2285
Fax: 305-668-5970

Or feel free to send her an E-mail through the House of Representatives "Write Your Representative" system HERE

Due to the substantial amount of correspondence she receives on a daily basis, if you have an urgent matter she asks that you to contact one of her offices directly so he staff can bring the issue to her attention as quickly as possible.

>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:>:

So what do I need to do?

1. Call the DC office number (202-225-3931)

2. Here is what you can say (but feel free to personalize this:

"Hello my name is ____________________. I am a constituent of Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and I'm calling today to voice my support for the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. Is the Congresswoman’s foreign affairs policy adviser available?

[if yes, connect to them and start over; if no, then move to the below]

"I believe that this two-decade war in central Africa deserves urgent U.S. attention, so I'm calling to strongly urge the Congresswoman to support the passage of HR. 2478. I know that the Congresswoman has strong history of defending human rights in Africa and advocating for victims of violence in Darfur. Given that elements of the LRA have recently entered Darfur, I am hopeful that she will understand the urgency of this issue and support the bill's swift passage.

[Optional Personalization: "I first learned about the Lord's Resistance Army and the 23-year-long war in central Africa through ______________ and I have worked to raise the profile of this issue by doing/participating in __________________ here in Flordia.]

"I hope to hear soon that Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has listened to her constituents on this issue. Thank you so much for your time."

3. After your phone call, post a message on the event wall letting us know you called. (Do this every time)
............................................................................................

I already posted the article on a previous blog post that can be found at this link:
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/03/28/dr-congo-lord-s-resistance-army-rampage-kills-321

but if you missed the recent report by Human Rights Watch put out about the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) dirty work, please read it, as soon as you have the time.

By clicking on the post's title, you will go to an article that explains what needs to be implemented to defeat the LRA.

GENOCIDE WILL only STOP WITH US - Our leaders have taught us this

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HELL IS TOLERATED ON EARTH BY YOU AND ME

AN IN-DEPT LOOK AT THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY

Rarely in human history has such a small group of people caused so much suffering for so many as is the case with the Lord’s Resistance Army, or LRA, in central Africa—for over two decades in northern Uganda and southern Sudan, and now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.

An NBC Law and Order: Special Victims Unit episode that aired on Tuesday, March 31st, dramatically portrayed the experience of several (fictional) survivors of LRA-related violence in northern Uganda. Enough's Co-founder John Prendergast worked closely with Dr. Neal Baer, executive producer of NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the SVU writing team on the episode called “Hell." Click here to read a press release about the episode.

On this special page, Enough has created a collection of resources on the Lord’s Resistance Army which we hope you will find useful. We also profiled several survivors of LRA-related violence whose stories we found inspiring. We hope you will TAKE ACTION and join Enough in calling for the Obama administration to immediately appoint a special envoy to central Africa’s Great Lakes region to end the cycle of violence against civilians perpetrated by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Source: enoughproject.org/special-topics/in-depth-look-LRA


Invisible Children video


In the spring of 2003, three young Americans traveled to Africa in search of such as story. What they found was a tragedy that disgusted and inspired them. A story where children are weapons and children are the victims. The "Invisible Children: rough cut" film exposes the effects of a 20 year-long war on the children of Northern Uganda. These children live in fear of abduction by rebel soldiers, and are being forced to fight as a part of violent army. This wonderfully reckless documentary is fast paced, with an MTV beat, and is something truly unique. To see Africa through young eyes is humorous and heart breaking, quick and informative - all in the very same breath. See this film, you will be forever changed.Duration: 55:08

At 12:50 the story that they went to hear and relay begins.

HUMAN RIGHTS, HUMANITARIAN AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS BACK LANDMARK U.S. LEGISLATION TO HELP PROTECT CIVILIANS FROM THE LRA

Date: May 21, 2009

LEADING HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS BACK LRA LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The introduction of legislation in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives earlier this week to commit the United States to comprehensive efforts to help civilians threatened by one of the world’s longest-running and brutal insurgencies is a crucial step forward for U.S. policy in the region, a coalition of twenty-two human rights, humanitarian, and faith-based groups said today.

If passed, the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act would require the Obama Administration to develop a regional strategy to protect civilians in central Africa from attacks by the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and enforce the rule of law and ensure full humanitarian access in LRA-affected areas. The Act additionally commits the United States to increase support to economic recovery and transitional justice efforts in Uganda. The coalition of supporting organizations includes groups in Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Uganda, where communities are currently threatened by the LRA.

“We continue to live in fear of LRA attacks and of our children being abducted,” said Father Benoît Kinalegu of the Dungu/Doruma Justice and Peace Commission in DR Congo. “We are praying for help and protection and hope U.S. lawmakers will hear our cries.”

Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA), Brad Miller (D-NC), and Ed Royce (R-CA) introduced the bill. It affirms the need for U.S. leadership to help bring an end to atrocities by the Lord’s Resistance Army and to advance long-term recovery in the region.

“The LRA has long posed a terrible threat to civilians,” said Georgette Gagnon, Africa Director at Human Rights Watch. “This bill will help the US government support for comprehensive multilateral efforts to protect civilians in LRA-affected areas and to apprehend or otherwise remove the group’s leader, Joseph Kony, and his top commanders from the battlefield.”

For more than twenty years, northern Ugandans were caught in a war between the Ugandan military and the rebel group. The violence killed thousands of civilians and displaced nearly two million people. Kony and his top commanders sustain their ranks by abducting civilians, including children, to use as soldiers and sexual slaves. Though the rebel group ended attacks in northern Uganda in 2006, it moved its bases to the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and has committed acts of violence against civilians in Congo, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. In December 2008, Sudan, Uganda, and Congo began a joint military offensive, “Operation Lightening Thunder,” against the rebel group, with backing from the United States. As a result, the Lord’s Resistance Army has dispersed into multiple smaller groups and has brutally murdered more than 1,000 civilians and abducted over 400 people, mostly children.

“Given the catalytic involvement of the U.S. military in Operation Lightning Thunder—and the horrific aftermath of this operation—the U.S. government now has a responsibility to help end the threat posed by Joseph Kony once and for all,” said John Prendergast, Co-founder of the Enough Project at the Center for American Progress. “One man should not be allowed to terrorize millions of people in four Central African countries. The bill is a crucial first step in galvanizing immediate and effective U.S. action.”

The legislation also aims to help secure a lasting peace in Uganda by supporting measures to assist war-affected communities in northern Uganda and to help resolve longstanding divisions between communities in Uganda’s north and south. It authorizes increased funding for recovery efforts in northern Uganda, with a particular focus on supporting transitional justice and reconciliation. It also calls on the Ugandan government to reinvigorate its commitment to a transparent and accountable reconstruction process in war-affected areas.

“Smart investment in long-term recovery is essential if the people of northern Uganda are to live with peace and dignity,” said Annalise Romoser, Lutheran World Relief Associate Director for Advocacy. “Transitional justice initiatives and the development of basic infrastructure such as food and water systems are crucial elements to lasting peace and reconciliation in Uganda. Such investment from the United States will support the inspiring efforts of northern Ugandans to return home and rebuild after decades of war and displacement.”

####

Supporting organizations include:

Human Rights Watch
Enough Project
Resolve Uganda
International Rescue Committee
Invisible Children
Refugees International
AVSI
Global Action for Children
Lutheran World Relief
United States Fund for UNICEF
Women's Refugee Commission
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Genocide Intervention Network
Refugee Law Project, Uganda
Dungu/Doruma Justice and Peace Commission, Democratic Republic of Congo
Azande Community World-wide Organisation, UK-South Sudan
Mbomu Charitable Organization, Sudan
Ibba Charitable Organization, South Sudan
Azande Women Organization, South Sudan
Hope Sudan Organization, South Sudan
Eso Development Organization, South Sudan
Nabanga Development Agency, South Sudan
Dungu/Doruma Justice and Peace Commission, Democratic Republic of Congo
Azande Community World-wide Organisation, UK-South Sudan
Mbomu Charitable Organization, Sudan
Ibba Charitable Organization, South Sudan
Azande Women Organization, South Sudan
Hope Sudan Organization, South Sudan
Eso Development Organization, South Sudan
Nabanga Development Agency, South Sudan


The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America that ensures opportunity for all. We believe that Americans are bound together by a common commitment to these values and we aspire to ensure that our national policies reflect these values. Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on crises in Sudan, Chad, eastern Congo, northern Uganda, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. Enough’s strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a “3P” crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises. Source:
www.enoughproject___

U.S. Senate Takes on the LRA

A new bill released in the U.S. Senate yesterday would recommit the United States to helping bring about a conclusive end to the more than 20-year reign of terror by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and to supporting northern Ugandans rebuild their communities.

Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) introduced the much-anticipated legislation, which calls on the United States to support a multi-pronged regional strategy to end the massacres, and to stabilize and rebuild the communities long-affected by the marauding LRA. In his statement to the Senate chamber, Senator Feingold recognized the efforts of young activists in the United States, who he credited for keeping this issue in public view.

And as a result [of their activism], the United States has made increased efforts to help end this horror. Those efforts have yielded some success, but if we are now to finally see this conflict to its end, we need to commit to a proactive strategy to help end the threat posed by the LRA and support reconstruction, justice, and reconciliation in northern Uganda. This bill seeks to do just that.

Feingold highlighted the support provided by the United States in Operation Lightning Thunder, the recent joint operation between the armies of Uganda, southern Sudan, and Congo aimed at halting the LRA leadership and stabilizing the region. As Feingold reported:

The operation failed to apprehend Kony and over the following two months, his forces retaliated against civilians in the region, leaving over 900 people dead. It’s tragically clear that insufficient attention and resources were devoted to ensuring the protection of civilians during the operation. Before launching any operation against the rebels, the regional militaries should have ensured that their plan had a high probability of success, anticipated contingencies, and made precautions to minimize dangers to civilians.

But Feingold was quick to point out that it is because of the complicated nature of operations against the LRA – and the U.S. role in the most recent one – that the United States has “a responsibility to help see this rebel war to its end.”

As Feingold explained, the bill also recognizes the importance of rebuilding the communities devastated by the ongoing conflict and addressing the grievances that helped pave the way for the LRA to gain a footing, many years ago, in northern Uganda. The bill calls on the United States to provide additional support and resources to the Ugandan government’s Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) that has struggled under the weight of “a lack of strategic coordination, weak leadership and the government’s limited capacity.”

In sum, the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009 calls on the Obama administration to develop a strategy for dealing with the LRA and comprehensively addressing the instability and destruction left in the rebels’ wake. The administration will lay out the details of the strategy, but through this bill, Congress can ensure that, as Sen. Feingold emphasized, “this issue will not get put on the back burner and that we will not continue to rely on a piecemeal approach.”

Enough’s most recent strategy paper – Finishing the Fight Against the LRA – provides a detailed review of the hard lessons of Operation Lightning Thunder and recommendations for the U.S. leadership moving forward. An accompanying Activist Brief outlines ways that citizens can advocate for increased U.S. attention to the scourge of the LRA. The June Lobby Days on Capitol Hill are coming up, so click here for details on how to sign up.

http://www.enoughproject.org/blogs/senate-takes-lra

<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:<:

The story of Jebel Marra was out there; but the influential people charged with following the conflict, whose condemnation of the government’s actions would have made news, willfully overlooked it.

Click here to continue reading.

Human Rights blog


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WHERE DO YOU STAND ON HUMAN BEINGS BEING TREATED HUMANELY?

This post is taken from Human Rights Watch and is a new report of what has been happening in eastern Congo and may very well be the news we will be reading about Sudan soon (from responsible media outlets who still report international news), as this group is active in Sudan as well. The LRA, Lords Resistance Army, has a well-established reputation and yet it is business as usual from the international community in not doing anything.

Full credit for this article: www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/03/28/dr-congo-lord-s-resistance-army-rampage-kills-321

Regional Strategy Needed to End Rebel Group’s Atrocities and Apprehend Leaders

The Makombo massacre is one of the worst ever committed by the LRA in its bloody 23-year history, yet it has gone unreported for months. The four-day rampage demonstrates that the LRA remains a serious threat to civilians and is not a spent force, as the Ugandan and Congolese governments claim.

Anneke Van Woudenberg, senior Africa researcher

(Kampala) - The rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) killed at least 321 civilians and abducted 250 others, including at least 80 children, during a previously unreported four-day rampage in the Makombo area of northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo in December 2009, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

"The Makombo massacre is one of the worst ever committed by the LRA in its bloody 23-year history, yet it has gone unreported for months," said Anneke Van Woudenberg, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The four-day rampage demonstrates that the LRA remains a serious threat to civilians and is not a spent force, as the Ugandan and Congolese governments claim."

The 67-page report, "Trail of Death: LRA Atrocities in Northeastern Congo," is the first detailed documentation of the Makombo massacre and other atrocities by the LRA in Congo in 2009 and early 2010. The report, based on a Human Rights Watch fact-finding mission to the massacre area in February, documents the brutal killings during the well-planned LRA attack from December 14 to 17 in the remote Makombo area of Haute Uele district.

LRA forces attacked at least 10 villages, capturing, killing, and abducting hundreds of civilians, including women and children. The vast majority of those killed were adult men, whom LRA combatants first tied up and then hacked to death with machetes or crushed their skulls with axes and heavy wooden sticks. The dead include at least 13 women and 23 children, the youngest a 3-year-old girl who was burned to death. LRA combatants tied some of the victims to trees before crushing their skulls with axes.

The LRA also killed those they abducted who walked too slowly or tried to escape. Family members and local authorities later found bodies all along the LRA's 105-kilometer journey through the Makombo area and the small town of Tapili. Witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch said that for days and weeks after the attack, this vast area was filled with the "stench of death."

Children and adults who managed to escape provided similar accounts of the group's extreme brutality. Many of the children captured by the LRA were forced to kill other children who had disobeyed the LRA's rules. In numerous cases documented by Human Rights Watch, children were ordered to surround the victim in a circle and take turns beating the child on the head with a large wooden stick until the child died.

The United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo (MONUC) has some 1,000 peacekeeping troops in the LRA-affected areas of northeastern Congo - far too few to protect the population adequately, given the area's size. Yet instead of sending more troops, the peacekeeping force, under pressure from the Congolese government to withdraw from the country by July 2011, is considering removing some troops from the northeast by June in the first phase of its drawdown.

"The people of northeastern Congo are in desperate need of more protection, not less," said Van Woudenberg. "The UN Security Council should stop any drawdown of MONUC peacekeeping troops from areas where the LRA threatens to kill and abduct civilians."

In mid-April, the Security Council is due to visit Congo to discuss the peacekeeping force's plans for withdrawal and the protection of civilians.

The Makombo massacre is part of a longstanding history of atrocities and abuse by the LRA in Uganda, southern Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Congo. Pushed out of northern Uganda in 2005, the LRA now operates in the remote border area between southern Sudan, Congo, and CAR. In July 2005, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the senior leaders of the LRA for crimes they committed in northern Uganda, but those indicted remain at large.

The Human Rights Watch research indicated that the Makombo massacre was perpetrated by two LRA commanders - Lt. Col. Binansio Okumu (also known as Binany) and a commander known as Obol. They report to Gen. Dominic Ongwen, a senior LRA leader who is believed to command the LRA's forces in Congo and who is among those sought by the International Criminal Court. Human Rights Watch urged investigations of these commanders' alleged participation in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In December 2008, the governments of the region, led by the Ugandan armed forces, with intelligence and logistical support from the United States, began a military campaign known as Operation Lightning Thunder against the LRA in northeastern Congo. A surprise aerial strike on the main LRA camp failed to neutralize the LRA leadership, which escaped. In retaliation, the LRA attacked villages and towns in northern Congo and southern Sudan, killing more than 865 civilians during the Christmas 2008 holiday season and in the weeks thereafter.

On March 15, 2009, Operation Lightning Thunder officially ended, following pressure from the Congolese government, which found it politically difficult to support a continued Ugandan army presence on Congolese territory. But a covert joint military campaign continued, with the quiet approval of the Congolese president, Joseph Kabila. Both governments publicly maintain that the LRA is no longer a serious threat in Congo and that the bulk of the rebel group has either moved to Central African Republic or has been killed or dispersed.

These public declarations might have contributed to burying information about ongoing LRA attacks, leaving many victims feeling abandoned. An 80-year-old traditional chief, whose son was killed during the Makombo massacre, told Human Rights Watch: "We have been forgotten. It's as if we don't exist. The government says the LRA are no longer a problem, but I know that's not true. I beg of you, please talk to others about what has happened to us."

While the Makombo massacre is the most deadly documented attack by the LRA since the Christmas massacres of 2008, dozens of attacks against civilians have also been carried out in other areas in recent months - near the towns of Bangadi and Ngilima in Haut Uele district, in Ango territory in Bas Uele district, as well as in the Central African Republic.

In the December 2009 attacks near Bangadi and Ngilima, LRA combatants horribly mutilated six civilians, cutting off each victim's lips and an ear with a razor. The LRA sent the victims back to their villages with a chilling warning to others that anyone who heard or spoke about the LRA would be similarly punished.

On March 11, 2010, the US Senate unanimously passed the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act. If it becomes law, it will require President Barack Obama's administration to develop a regional strategy to protect civilians in central Africa from attacks by the LRA, to work to apprehend the LRA's leadership, and to support economic recovery for northern Uganda. The bill is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

"The people of northeastern Congo and other LRA-affected areas have suffered for far too long," said Van Woudenberg. "The US and other concerned governments should work with the UN and regional parties to develop and carry out a comprehensive strategy to protect civilians and apprehend abusive LRA leaders."

Also available in:
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Four Representatives (and you) Hold the Key to LRA Bill's Final Passage

Two weeks ago, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, following a successful activist campaign to overcome one senator’s attempt to block it. The act passed with more bipartisan cosponsors than any Africa-focused legislation in at least three decades, showing the extraordinary results of nationwide lobbying efforts.

If this bill is signed into law, it will constitute the most significant action our leaders have taken to end LRA violence and restore lasting peace in the war’s 24-year history. But before the president can put pen to paper, the House of Representatives must follow the Senate. Getting past this final milestone is going to require one last concerted activist push to add cosponsors to the bill and shore up support from a handful of influential Members of Congress. And all of it has to happen in the next few weeks.

Here’s what you need to know:

First, there are a few key Representatives who lead the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and hold the power to determine the bill’s fate. Before the bill gets voted on by the full House of Representatives, it has to first pass out of committee. So while getting the bill through the House will not require attaining Unanimous Consent, as the Senate bill did, four leaders on the Foreign Affairs Committee nonetheless are able to decide whether or not the bill moves forward. They are Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Donald Payne (D-NJ), Chair of the Africa Subcommittee; and Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ranking Republican on the Africa Subcommittee.

Without all four of these representatives in agreement about seeing this bill passed quickly, ensuing political battles could easily result in the bill’s death. Crucially, all four Representatives must also agree to pass identical text as the Senate, to avoid a lengthy process of reconciling the two versions of the bill that could endanger its final passage and would further delay action to stop ongoing LRA atrocities.

None of these four are yet cosponsors of the bill, but Representatives Berman (D-CA) and Payne (D-NJ) have both verbally confirmed that they support passing the Senate version of the bill as quickly as possible. Representatives Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Smith (R-NJ) have remained silent so far. That means that if you live near Miami or central New Jersey, your voice could make a critical difference in seeing the bill passed, and we invite you to join the Rep. Ros-Lehtinen call-in blitz or the Rep. Smith call-in blitz campaigns on Facebook today.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and Congressman Smith both have longstanding records in support of ending conflict and defending human rights in Africa, so we are hopeful that as they determine their plans they will choose to support the bill’s immediate passage.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is an outspoken advocate for victims of violence in Darfur, where elements of the LRA recently made an incursion. Congressman Smith has a long history of advocating for an end to LRA atrocities, and even spoke at the first ever Lobby Days for Northern Uganda in 2006. But the time to influence their decisions on this legislation is now, as we expect the Committee to consider the bill in the next three weeks.

The second key to getting the bill through the House of Representatives is to simply add more cosponsors. So far, committed activists have attained 164 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, already an accomplishment of historic proportions. Adding more will only increase the pressure on leaders in the House of Representatives to pass the bill quickly and send a clear signal to President Obama about the urgent need for action. Our goal is to reach 218 cosponsors, or 51 percent of the House.

The best thing you can do to help reach this goal is to sign up now to join our final push for Hometown Shakedown meetings with your Representative in their local office. The Hometown Shakedown was launched November 18, 2009, and since then more than a hundred meetings have taken place that have resulted in dozens of new cosponsors for the bill. Your representatives will be home for the April recess until April 9, which will be the final day of the campaign. So sign up now!

Or, if you are unable to attend or organize a personal meeting, click here to send your representative an email, or here for instructions on making phone calls to his or her office.

This is it: the final push to see this bill passed. If we succeed, President Obama will have to become the first American President in the history of this war to speak publicly about how our country will help put an end to Joseph Kony’s campaign of senseless violence once and for all. We have come so far, so let’s get this done.

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March 28, 2010 by Mark Christopher

Source: operation broken silence

Yesterday, Human Right’s Watch released a shocking report concerning a previously unknown killing spree committed by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). You can read the press release concerning the report by clicking here. Also, today the BBC released video footage of the areas the LRA attacked. This most recent, barbaric series of massacres carried out by the LRA forces shows once again the need for a comprehensive regional and international military strategy to better protect civilians, hunt down the LRA leaders, and surround and destroy remaining LRA encampments, primarily in the Central African Republic.

However, new complexities surrounding defeating the LRA have made this task extremely difficult. The Enough Project recently reported that LRA contingents have found refuge in Sudan’s genocide-ravaged Darfur region. The Sudanese government has helped to supply the rebels in the past, and reports that much of the LRA leadership are now safely in Darfur, southern Sudan, and the Central African Republic calls for new measures to be implemented to help protect civilians across the multi-border region from LRA fighters.

A Long List of Actions That Must Be Implemented

The following is a lengthy list of actions we believe must be made by regional and international powers to protect civilians from violence, rebuild areas affected by the LRA, and permanently remove the threat of the rebels from central Africa altogether:

Actions for Regional Powers:

  • The governments of south Sudan, the Central African Republic, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo must develop a regional strategy that focuses on rescuing abducted children and protecting at-risk populations from the rebels.
  • Deploy additional troops alongside UN peacekeepers and international monitors into areas where the LRA is active and where civilian populations remain unprotected from the rebels.
  • Work with international relief organizations, the United Nations, and other major world powers that are currently focused on ending the LRA crisis to provide additional radio and cellular equipment to civilians across areas affected by the LRA. This will allow communities that are under attack, threatened by attack, and need additional protection to contact government and UN military forces as needed, while simultaneously creating a “regional watch” for the LRA made up of communities that can help warn each other of impending violence.

Actions for Sudan and South Sudan

  • The national government of Sudan (NCP) must partner with the southern Sudanese army (SPLA) and move against LRA troops based in Sudan’s Darfur region. LRA commanders wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that are captured should be handed over to the Court. Upon attacking LRA contingents in Darfur and south Sudan, both the NCP and SPLA should focus on protecting civilians from retaliatory attacks by remaining LRA forces. This is also an opportunity for both the south and north to work together in a productive fashion, and could offer a chance for Darfur rebel groups in the area to cooperate as well.

Specific Actions for Ugandan Forces Operating Outside of Ugandan Territory

  • Ugandan troops hunting LRA contingents must be better supported and communicated to by the regional UN peacekeeping forces and regional governments. A communications network must be setup to better coordinate joint military efforts by Ugandan forces, regional powers, and UN peacekeepers.
  • Make the protection of civilians, rescue of abducted children and other people, and the prevention of LRA retaliatory strikes central to main objectives when striking LRA targets.

Actions for the United States

  • Continue to support Ugandan military efforts at destroying and dismantling the LRA with increasingly improved intelligence accuracy delivered in a timely fashion. Support Ugandan military efforts, as well as rebuilding the region, through AFRICOM under “the three D’s” — defense, diplomacy and development.
  • Speedily pass the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act and ensure full implementation of the actions and funding within it.
  • Leverage the State Department’s knowledge of LRA actions and atrocities committed and publicly condemn them, while simultaneously calling for more international action to end LRA human right’s abuses.

Actions for the United Nations

  • Send additional MONUC peacekeeping troops into northeastern Congo to help prevent LRA and Congolese government forces (FARDC) human right’s abuses.
  • Set up a pan-UN peacekeeping agenda, which includes UNMIS, UNAMID, MINURCAT, and MONUC for helping to protect civilians from the LRA. Within each mission, set up an additional command structure that focuses solely on preventing LRA abuses.
  • If UN peacekeeping troops under MINURCAT are expelled from Chad, reallocate troops and resources into southern Central African Republic to help coordinate efforts to disarm the LRA.
  • Create a demobilization and reintegration program for former LRA combatants that surrender voluntarily.
  • Create additional “surrender zones” for abducted people who have escaped the LRA and for defecting rebels.
  • Work with regional powers to capture LRA commanders wanted by the ICC

For additional actions that can also be taken, please view the report entitled Trail of Death by Human Right’s Watch.

Photo courtesy of Guardian: A UN attack helicopter patrols an area of the Democratic of Congo where LRA rebels were believed to be hiding in 2005

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Standing with Darfur

If you want peace, work for justice
إذا كنت تريد السلام ، أعمل من أجل العدالة

StopGenocideNow.org



Tweet this button to read: @JimLangevin Call for a Intelligence Committee special hearing re: #Sudan policy review and demand pressures and consequences #SudanSham

GENOCIDE WILL only STOP WITH US - Our leaders have taught us this








http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organizations

Click this post's title to go to Gration's recent posting
about the Darfuri diaspora

and the comments posted

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THE SUNDANCE CHANNEL INTRODUCED ME TO MELODY GARDOT

I love discovering and I discovered this today, while I was trying to learn my way around my new televsion's remote control. The show I saw - Live at Abbey Road - was "on demand". I found Melody Gardot by accident.
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Melody Gardot sings Who Will Comfort Me?
Live at Abbey Road 2009

Melody and two other bands were on the show. This particular song was the best part of the show for me. The arrangement is fantastic. I dream of singing with this much relaxation. Uploaded by Nonosinthemix

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The current President of Sudan, Omar al Bashir,
will win the election April 11 -13, 2010.
If rounding up, torturing, killing those who speak out against him
proves anything, it will be that.

Sign the Petition:
Sudan sham 2010

United States, stop supporting the sham April 2010 elections in Sudan. In a climate of violent political intimidation and with millions disenfranchised in camps, there cannot be credible elections in Sudan. Our support gives the Government of al-Bashir, indicted on war crimes and crimes against humanity, legitimacy it does not deserve. It is a waste of American taxpayer money, and non-credible elections will fuel violence and divisions in a country that is already on the brink.

Obama Administration, engage at the highest level in bringing lasting peace, protection, and justice to Sudan, now!

Standing with Darfur

If you want peace, work for justice
إذا كنت تريد السلام ، أعمل من أجل العدالة

StopGenocideNow.org



Tweet this button to read: @JimLangevin Call for a Intelligence Committee special hearing re: #Sudan policy review and demand pressures and consequences #SudanSham

GENOCIDE WILL only STOP WITH US - Our leaders have taught us this








Contact links:

President Obama:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
or for organizations at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organizations

Secretary of State Clinton:
http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

State Department Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/EngageStateDept


Ambassador Susan Rice:
http://archive.usun.state.gov/Issues/Contact2.html

Vice President Biden:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
or for organizations at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/organizations

And at http://sudansham2010.org/page3/page3.html
do the tweets but replace any reference to Senate Resolution 404
with something important like "Gration has got to go"
in words of your choosing.

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by Mohamed Yahya, Damanga

www.realcourage.org/2010/03/a-deal-with-a-devil/

We are saddened by the so-called Doha Peace Negotiations that were signed in Qatar last week between Al-Bashir of the Sudan Government and other groups. This included Dr. Khalil Ibrahim from the JEM- Justice and Equality movement and Dr. Tigani Sessi from the smaller LJM- Liberation Justice Movement.

This was a very controversial agreement that completely neglected the concerns of the majority of Darfuri people. JEM and LJM should have rejected any deal with the ICC Indicted war criminal Omar Al-Bashir. Al-Bashir's arrest warrant was announced by the prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo on March 4, 2009.

The Darfuri people can't accept such deals with a government that has slaughtered more than 450,000 innocent civilians in Darfur alone from 2003 to date. This is a Sudanese government that has not respected its own people or any agreement made before - from South Sudan to Darfur and Beja at the Eastern Sudan.

Peace and human rights are not mutually exclusive choices. We know that real peace begins with respecting our human rights, respecting justice, and respecting human dignity. The process for peace will begin with justice and human rights for the Darfuri people.

We strongly believe that no peace was honored before, especially when made with splintered rebel groups, and when the main core demands of the Darfuri people were not addressed.
• Both parties deliberately ignored even mentioning justice and the accountability in their negotiation agenda.
• They ignored the disarmament of the marauding Janjaweed militias, who are the allies of Al-Bashir government in Darfur.
• They failed to address the replacement of those settled in the villages of the IDP's and refugees.
• Moreover, they failed to recognize that security and ceasefire agreements were never honored by the Al-Bashir government.

Al-Bashir took advantage of the Doha meetings and ordered his Janjaweed and Sudan Popular Defense Army-to attack the "Jabel Marra" area by airplanes and tanks with massive campaign and destroyed more than 36 villages within a week. This resulted in more than 400 causalities, and over 100,000 displaced from the whole Jabel Marra area.

Despite all of this destruction, Al-Bashir has been allowed to continue violating the Darfuri people's human rights of free expressions, movement, assembly, and life itself. The people of Darfur are targeted inside and outside their homes and forced to register to vote for Al-Bashir even by using their food distribution cards. Otherwise, no food or aid is allowed. All kinds of Intimidation and brutal harassment are used against Al-Bashir's opponents.

It is immoral that the whole civilized world leaders are watching this shameful scenario of "honoring the criminals" of the Sudanese government beginning with Doha peace negotiations that seek to legitimize Omar Al-Bashir, who is a man worse than Hitler and Saddam Hussein, coming to power in a fake democracy.

It is also terribly sad to see the U.S. government and the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, General Scott Gration, giving support to Al-Bashir and his rogue NIF-National Islamic Front regime that hosted Osama Bin Laden in the Capitol Khartoum in early 1990's for almost five years. This is the same Sudanese government that has terrorized its own people, as well as hosted international terrorists.

It is unfortunate to see the Obama administration, United Nations, African Union, Arab Leagues, European Union, and the Islamic world to come together this time to support this genocidal regime, when they never came together before to support the victims of Darfur. Where has such world unity been to restore justice and human rights in Sudan for a lasting peace? Darfur has largely been abandoned, while the Darfuri people's human rights have been taken away. Too many have accepted a policy to "let Darfur die."

The most shocking phenomena was that even those leaders, such as Dr. Khalil in JEM and Dr. Tigani Sessi of LJM, have shown a lack of leadership because of their power ambitions, their narrow visions of the people's needs, and their unwillingness to prioritize human rights and justice for all of the Sudanese people. At the Doha peace negotiations, these leaders have acted in their own interests, regardless of what the ultimate results will be. Their focus has instead been their personal selfish goals wrapped by tribal circles and political Ideological agendas.

Dr. Khalil was known as a former Mujahedeen leader who fought against our own Christians in South Sudan, inspired at that time by Dr. Hassan El-Turabi. This was before he was being kicked out of power by Al-Bashir, which was the main reason for Dr. Khalil to escape Khartoum to form JEM. It is an issue of personal vindication for him, rather than Darfur cause for him. Both Al-Bashir and Dr. Khalil are old friends and Students of El-Turabi, so they are simply" two faces for one coin" of NIF/NCP.

In addition, Dr. Tigani Sessi of LJM has not been engaged in actively defending Darfur since he left Sudan over 20 years. He has not been popular even with his own FUR Tribe. He was only imposed and recommended by the Sudan government to lead a small group of the LJM at the Doha negotiations. He was engaged because he is willing to listen to the genocidal regime of Al-Bashir and could easily used to pass their agenda through him against the people of Darfur. He has not demonstrated strength and hasn't fought with the rebels anywhere.

This peace is nothing more than a ceremony as many have said. The people of Darfur can't afford another war, but that will be imminent. The new coalition of the National Islamic Front will turn the war against their own people of Darfur.

A "Darfur versus Darfur" war is on the horizon. The Khartoum Arab government will claim to steer clear of such a war, while they also fuel the upcoming phase of the war between the SLA- Abdulwahid faction and other possible alliances from those Darfuri rebels rejected the deal in Qatar. "Slaves against slaves" will be the Al-Bashir government's policy of divide and rule.

The future may also see other possible wars with the same new Islamic alliances against Southern Sudan, even if the South secedes due to the referendum that is scheduled for 2011. There's no guarantee for any lasting peace in Sudan since this NCP/NIF remains in power in the country.

History is repeating itself again In Sudan and it could be for the worst. This is especially true for
Darfur and other marginalized areas that have never enjoyed any significant representation to share power or wealth in their own country since the independence of Sudan in January 1956 from United Kingdom.

This time, the worst form of colonialism will be from fascists and fundamentalists within Sudan itself. Mr. El-Turabi will have renewed influence with Dr. Khalil's arrival to Khartoum or Darfur. Mr. Sadiq al-Mahdi, the former Prime Minister and "Umma Party" leader that pulled out of the power in Al-Bashir's June 1989 coup, will also have renewed influence and power. Dr. Tigani Sessi, who signed on behalf of the LJM in Doha, will be back to Khartoum. It is very sad news for major Darfuri people who will never forget what Sadiq al-Mahdi and Tigani Sessi did to them while the Umma Party was in power. The Umma Party has created the first conflict in Darfur when It favored Arab tribes in Darfur against the black African tribes, and created special militias called in that time " Al-firs an." "Al-firs an" is an Arabic version of the term "the Knights" in English.

Weapons were provided by Sadiq al-Mahdi to arm this "Al-Firs an" militia, which started the attacks against the black farmers while they grow their crops These weapons came from the Umma defense minister and General Fadlalla Burma Nasser, who at that time was part of the Arab tribes. The Arab Firsan militia drove their animals into the farms and started shooting anyone who blocked their animals. It was the beginning of the Darfur war era during that time in the early 1980's .

Then the regional conflict was exacerbated by the war between Libya and Chad. Thousands of pro-Libya fighters (the so-called "Arab Gathering Forces," "Arab Islamic Army Corps," "Olad Salih Group") were allowed by the Sadiq al-Mahdi government at that time to use Darfur territory to attack Chad from East. This happened while Libyan troops were attacking Chad from Libyan borders with Chad. The war between Chad and Libya was known as the "Ouzo War," because both Libya and Chad claimed the Ouzo area belongs to its territory

After being defeated by Hussein Habry of Chad, these forces scattered in the area from Chad to Darfur and Central Africa looking for safe haven. This situation contributed to the disaster of extensive distribution of cheaply sold arms to Arab herders in the area; some Arab herders were given such weapons as free gifts as well. This helped to create the chaos in Darfur from that time, with the Umma Party playing a big role in that conflict.

When Al-Bashir came to the power by coup in 1989, he recruited these same elements, reorganized them, trained them, and paid them salaries, and provided them logistical support to use against the same black Darfuris from Massaleit, Fur, Dajo, Zagawa, Gimir Tama Bargo and other minorities.

Under Al-Bashir's rule, the only difference was that the militia's name of Al-Firsan was changed to "Janjaweed," and the renamed "Janjaweed" militia began using more sophisticated weapons and trucks, in addition to horses and camels.

Most Darfuris will never forget these grievances. They will never forget how Sadiq al-Mahdi of the Umma Party humiliated them in many ways during his two terms ruling Sudan in 1964 and 1986. Mr. Mahdi never made any development in Darfur; no schools, hospitals, or even wells for water were built in Darfur. He advised Darfuris to send their children to" Koranic Khalawas" instead of schools, to prevent them from learning about science and politics, so that would not have the chance to understand their human rights or develop the ambition to demand power for Darfuris.

This is the same mentality of all Arabs of the ruling parties in Sudan. It is their ultimate policy to keep the black African Sudanese -- from Darfur to South Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and the Beja of East -- as illiterate and marginalized so that it will be easier for them to rule over forever.

These tactics have not changed and have only become worse with the Al-Bashir government. They are all the same: NCP, Umma, DUP, Communist, Bathists, and the rest of Arab's current new parties. Sudan and Darfur doesn't need more Mahadis, Turabis, Communists, or Islamists.

Let the people of Darfur and the rest of those marginalized people in Sudan have justice first, then they will decide who they will choose to govern them. Flawed peace agreements have been beginning with Abuja in 2006 with Sudan and SLA splintered factions of Arkuwi Mennawi in Doha. Such flawed peace agreements choose a version of peace that ignores justice and ignores human rights. There is no lasting peace that does not begin with justice and human rights. The only ones who benefit from such flawed peace agreements are the Sudanese genocidal government that seeks to stay longer in power to kill more people and destabilize the entire region.

The US and the United Nations along with the international community must stop the Sudan government from committing more atrocities. We need to hold them all accountable, instead of promoting them. No peace will be without justice, and the only way for long lasting peace in Sudan would be through Justice.

Thank you.

Mohamed Yahya, Damaga

Mohamed Yahya, Executive  Director of Damanga
Mohamed Yahya, Executive Director of Damanga

Damanga Web Site

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Web Site on Sudan

Damanga Mission

History of Damanga

– Mohamed Yahya Biographies (Damanga, USHMM)

"The Meaning of Damanga"

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