Fears mount of new humanitarian crisis in Darfur

[Behind the Aegis]

Source: Mail and Guardian- South Africa

humanitarian disaster in Darfur after Sudan ordered the expulsion of aid agencies, with the United Nations warning that thousands of lives were at risk.

The grim assessment came as Sudan said it would not alter its policies in the wake of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to seek the arrest of President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"If the government does not reconsider its position, with the departure of the NGOs 1,1-million people will be without food, 1,5-million people will be without health care and more than one million without drinking water," said Elisabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian coordinator's office.

Al-Bashir is due to travel to Darfur on Sunday, a trip seen as a deliberate show of defiance to the ICC, which accuses him of orchestrating a campaign of extermination, rape, forcible displacement, torture and and pillaging over the six-year conflict in Darfur.


Read more: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-03-06-fears-mount-of-n...

[Hope And Change]

1. There`s a genocide going on in Sudan and nobody does anything.

[Igel]

3. Sure, "we" did something.

"We" made sure that even if the guy in charge of it stops and makes nice, we nail his ass for what he's done.

"We" made sure that even if the guy in charge of it keeps on going and plays nasty, we nail his ass for what he's done.

The difference in consequences between his playing nice and playing nasty? Negligible to null.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

"We" made sure that he's irrevocably threatened with punishment after (but not because he) allowed humanitarian aid in, with the predictable consequence that following the threat he stops allowing the aid in. A mostly symbolic victory--at least for now--with what are likely to be very real deaths. Some socially constructed realities and hierarchies of values suck.

"We" got our victory. Let the celebrations begin. Well, here, at least; in Darfur I guess it's more like "let the dying ramp up." But let's not let that interfere with celebrating "our" victory.

[Tim01]

2. This is one of those places

where if we want them to start acting like humans, we would have to conquer them first. Not a nice option, but I don't think anything could be worse than what is going on there now. Ever wanted to visit hell?

[Mnemosyne]

5. Who will conquer the US so we start acting human? n/t

[Tim01]

6. I don't think there is a such a people.

Peoples who are thoughtful and peaceful as a whole, usually end up obliterated by a neighbor who has no interest in playing nice. Tibet is a great example. China is currently working to destroy the Tibetan culture, and they probably will for the most part.
Compared to the rest of the world we are safe, healthy, and well fed. We can't even imagine living through the night mares people in the rest of the world are going through right now.
I saw a video recently of a 16 year old mid east girl stoned to death in the street in broad daylight. Lots of people watching,lots of people participating, police watching. She was guilty of falling in love with the wrong kind of boy. In this country, that offense would get you a few dirty looks.
I've been to a few other countries. Canada, Mexico,Spain, Sicily,Italy,Bahrain. This one is great by comparison.

[Mnemosyne]

8. I understand, but part of the problem comes from believing we know what is best for other cultures.

The situation in Tibet is an excellent example. China's "leaders" need a bit of their own 'justice'.

I don't have the answers, I only know the hypocrisy of the US is extensive. We seem to only help those with something we desire. Look at Rwanda, Darfur, Bangladesh... Often we are the ones stirring the shit storm for our own agenda and it breaks my heart to know others suffer for the US sins.

I forgot to welcome you to DU. Welcome Tim.

I do believe there are some great things about our country, I am just so disheartened because our "leaders" make horrid decisions in regard to where we actually help. Most times it is determined by selfishness and greed.

[Tim01]

9. Thanks for the welcome.

And I totally agree with you. I think that maybe it isn't just our country that has decision making "issues" when it comes to doing what is right. It might be humans in general.

[Mnemosyne]

16. Humans are a strange species. :) n/t

[cambie]

14. It is easy to understand

what is best for Sudan. There is a lot of oil there, and the Chinese are getting access to it. It would be best for us to encourage as much trouble as possible then go in with a humanitarian military move and set up a base to control the place. If a lot of the former residents are no longer there that will be an advantage as there will be no one to make claims on the resource. Oh, and human-rights, freedom, democracy, etc. of course. Teach them how to act like humans.

[Mnemosyne]

15. Exactly, cambie, thank you. And

welcome to DU!

[Mnemosyne]

7. dupe

[EFerrari]

17. I'm sure a lot of people thought the same of us during the last eight years.

[sufrommich]

4. I'm sure this is nothing that a couple more years of

hand wringing won't solve.

[ohio2007]

10. lol

Six years of armed rebellion in the Darfur region against the Khartoum government has reportedly claimed 300,000 lives.

Bashir had earlier blamed the West for conspiring against him, saying that issuing an arrest warrant would be of "no value".

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=87730§ionid=35...

[bemildred]

11. Sudan, another fatuous colonial construct in the process of dissolution.

At horrendous cost.

[aquart]

12. Yes. Arab Muslims are murdering black Muslims.

And it looks like they're going to finish the job.

[bemildred]

13. Let's not forget the south.

Chad might well take a hand in things before it is done too, with various other parties chipping in.