A Jan. 25 report from the U.N.-appointed International Commission of Inquiry on the conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan noted evidence of “crimes against humanity,” but found no evidence of “genocidal intent” on Khartoum’s part. Yet as the violence enters its third year, Khartoum’s counterinsurgency warfare becomes ever more conspicuously genocide by attrition. The scale of human destruction… return to article
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Reader Comments (12)Page 1 of 1 pageshow sad, over 180 reader comments regarding the article about the stolen election and not one in regards to this article, you know, about Genocide?
I guess people don’t care about the suffering of others if the States don’t have an immediate hand in it huh?
kinda makes me want to puke.
Posted by The Great Went on Feb 16, 2005 at 5:37 PM I agree. I just saw the movie, “The Hotel Rwanda”. In it, there is a very telling quote by a western journalist whom has just captured footage of the mass murders occuring in the streets of Rwanda. (The UN didn’t want to call the ethnic cleansing that occured there genocide either)
After a Rwandan man thanks the journalist for shooting the footage, saying “the world to see this is our only hope of help arriving”, or something to that effect, the journalist looks sad. He replies that unfortunately, he believes most westerners, upon viewing the footage will think “oh, how awful”, and then “go back to eating their dinner”.
This movie really touched upon the Western view of the African as unimportant. This movie has received excellent reviews, and is already listed in the top 250 movies of all time on IMDB. Clearly, a lot of people are seeing it. Yet, we all leave the theater, and go back to “eating our dinner” or whatever, instead of thinking about how this film’s message is applicable to the current world—example, sudan. (yes, i understand these situations are not EXACTLY alike)
Ugh.
BTW- if you haven’t seen the movie, see it now.
Posted by beth on Feb 17, 2005 at 7:44 AM if there was oil in that region, you would of seen foreign troops and help in forms of monies and supplies. Once again I ask myself, is the lack of help because of who they are? How about the “African-American” leaders, movers and shakers, and others not being more vocal about what has and is happening in Africa? Maybe it isn’t racism but where one lives in this world.
Posted by jeff on Feb 17, 2005 at 10:00 AM There *is* oil in Sudan. Just ask China. . .
BTW - anyone care that 800,000 people - 8% of the population!!! - in Niger are slaves? And the “tradition” has been going on for generations? At least it is now illegal, even if there is no enforcement. (Forget reparations for the “poor” black slobs here - lets just END slavery NOW!)
Africa was the birthplace of mankind. The middle east of civilation. Now they are just pathetic hells on earth. And one cannot blame the US for *that*.
Posted by um on Feb 17, 2005 at 1:34 PM To The Great Went and beth: I think most Americans, especially progressives, see this as too depressing and impossible to solve, and would rather turn their heads. No excuse, but an understandable reaction. Africa is a goddamn nightmare.
To jeff: When the freed slaves from America became the government of Liberia, they enslaved nearby native Africans. Seems like power-hunger and greed are universal traits of humanity, just like apathy. Self-interest governs us, which is why Republicans are in power.
To um, in response to the statement “one cannot blame the US for *that*”: to play devil’s advocate, the US is an extension of the European colonialism and mercantilism that decimated Africa, not to mention the largest beneficiary of the healthiest members of the West African community throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. American multinationals like Shell are entrenched in countries like Nigeria, using divisive tactics - in some cases inciting tribal war - to take a greater share of the petroleum in the region. And lastly, on a more indivdual note of personal responsibility, any American who owns a diamond has contributed its weight in karats to the destruction of Africa.
The history of the continent is atrocious. But to respond to my first point, how to remain focused on such an overwhelming problem without succumbing to apathy? The obvious answers - education, sustainability, a more democratic ownership of natural resources - ain’t easy to do, and will take a whole lot of capital.
Instead of puking, let’s try and figure out a way that would somehow benefit the West as well, or else the capitalists will have nothing to do with it.
Posted by rocco on Feb 18, 2005 at 5:43 AM Another piece by Eric Reeves,
http://www.dissentmagazine.org/
Genocide by Attrition
Agony in Darfur
Eric ReevesBlog focused on Darfur,
http://platform.blogs.com/passionofthepresent/
Posted by Michael Pugliese on Feb 18, 2005 at 7:56 PM On Chinese oil interests in Sudan,
http://www.google.com/search?q=china+oil+sudan
http://platform.blogs.com/passionofthepresent/2004/10/summary_of_chin.html
Posted by Michael Pugliese on Feb 18, 2005 at 7:58 PM How much god damn misery has been caused in this world because of someone not wanting to be embarrased? People executed, imprisoned, and much, much worse! The Chinese might be embarassed. WHO GIVES A SHIT?
Posted by john s on Feb 22, 2005 at 3:52 PM U.S. Fiddles Over ICC While Darfur Burns
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/01/31/usint10091.htm
The Bush administration is creating a deadly delay for the people of Darfur by attempting to block the U.N. Security Council from referring Darfur atrocities to the International Criminal Court, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Posted by Reader on Mar 1, 2005 at 7:12 AM The most striking thing about Sudan is the silence of black people in the US and Africa. This is something that nonwhites (purportedly) are doing to blacks so blacks can’t bear to look at it, except to blame Bush for it somehow. In the liberal mind, only white people are responsible for what they do and for what other races do. Black people are never responsible for what they do. If there’s a war between Africans, somehow white people caused it. How is it that AFricans are so easy to manipulate. How do white people make one african pick up a machete and cut off the arms of another african or rape an african woman? And certainly Muslims or Arabs are never responsible. The idea of questioning any Arab or Muslim leader or country about Sudan is unthinkable. This is why things in Africa can’t change. Africans don’t accept responsibility for change. They’re waiting for white people to do something.
Posted by Andrea on Mar 16, 2005 at 8:35 AM Is Darfur an African problem or a genocidal activity due to religious intolerance? Do Africans have decent governments or leadership? Does the funds provided them get to the people that need them? How widespread can the Occident spread its armies to put countries on the right track? Unfortunately Drafur is not a threat to other countries while Saddan… Africa still lives under tribal and religious conflicts; it needs responsible leadership and mature knowledgeble population, hard to find these days… There may not be a solution in the short term as indicated by many Latin America countries that did not succed in feeding their citizans. Will developped countries interfere in Latin America?
Posted by Alberto Kremnitzer on Apr 9, 2005 at 11:07 PM Andrea tends to simplify the issue somewhat. Black people are not silent about what is happening in the Sudan. Unfortunately, most black Americans do not have access to the microphone that comes with the power and privelege enjoyed by whites in this country. Andrea should read a book about post-war colonialism.
Posted by Jocelyn on May 29, 2005 at 8:35 PM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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Also by Eric Reeves
- Genocide by Attrition
- Despairing for Darfur
Despite increasing coverage, the press has failed to impart the extent of the genocide - Deathly Silence
The growing genocide in Darfur testifies to the world’s disgrace - Too Little, Too Late
Colin Powell’s visit to Darfur only highlights the United States’ inaction - Oncoming Catastrophe
The United Nations’ continued inaction could lead to 1 million deaths in Sudan - Genocide in Sudan
The United Nations suppresses its own report on ‘the world’s greatest humanitarian crisis’
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