Imagine militias invading your homes, destroying your towns, killing your family and raping women. This is exactly the situation taking place now in Sudan.
Ever since the British set the boundaries, various regions in the North African country of Sudan have been at odds. While Northern Sudan is more westernized, Southern and Western Sudan consist of numerous tribes with different cultures, beliefs and languages. The North and West are both Muslim and Arab, while the South is mainly Christian.
"Many of the country's conflicts are caused by tribal, as opposed to ethical, differences," first-year College student Mai El Gasim, whose family is native to Sudan, said.These disputes, especially between the North and South, have been occurring since the 1950s. But a peace treaty recently signed in January between the North and South has brought more peace to the country.
The peace treaty, though, does not hold true for Western Sudan. Originally, Sudan had a democratic government before the militia assumed power at its northern capital, Khartaum. Today, despite great diversity in the North, most civilians there do not support the militia government.
The Western region of Darfur also is a region of tribal disagreements, and although originally from the same roots as Northern Sudan, both regions were made diverse by invasion. Some people in the militia government are supporting a militia called the "Janjaweed," who are invading the Western region killing, raping, and forcing the civilians of Darfur from their homes. This massive violence takes away any place that these people can hide and is producing widespread famine.
One organization at the University, Students Taking Action Now: Darfur, is working with similar groups around the nation to raise awareness about the suspected genocide taking place in the region.
The purpose of STAND is threefold. First, members raise awareness and education in both University and Charlottesville by posting signs, tabling the Lawn, and distributing green bracelets for supporters. The Week of Conscience took place last week, and STAND succeeded in getting many students active through various events.
Secondly, the organization focuses on humanitarian aid. On Feb. 24, musician Travis Elliot was at O'Neils bar for a benefit concert in hopes of getting University students and Charlottesville residents to come out and show their support.
Lastly, STAND lobbies with petitions and campaigns.
"Our goal is to put political pressure on the government to show that we do care what decisions are made," STAND co-founder and third-year College student Brian Bolin said. "They need to know that we would be upset if nothing was done."
The first event for the Week of Conscience was a Feb. 22 lecture which attracted about 100 people. On Feb. 24, STAND held a two-hour round table discussion. People with painted faces and green bracelets have been spotted around Grounds in support of putting an end to the genocide and pushing the government to act. But, one might ask, what exactly will the United States government do to end the killing?
In order to stop the Janjaweed militia, the United States most likely will turn to the government in the North, where some supporters of the Janjaweed exist, El Gasim said. El Gasim, whose parents both lived in Sudan and whose family still lives there, explained that affecting the government will have an entirely different long-term concern.
"Ending the killing is one thing; the repercussions of these actions are another," El Gasim said.
El Gasim said she is concerned that there are "hidden dominoes" people do not often take into consideration. Of course, she said, we all want the killing of innocent civilians to stop, but forced democracy by the U.S. might not be possible with so many different cultures, religions and languages under the same government. She said she does not want the U.S. to just overtake the country and leave, as they have done in other situations, but she said she believes that there are other ways to help, such as allowing the people to decide on their government and find compassionate people of Sudan who are concerned about human rights and making a change.
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