TEN THINGS
YOU CAN DO
FOR SUDAN.
- - - -
1. WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE
Every time Valentino and Dave talk to experts on U.S. policy on Sudan, they ask what citizens can do to help. These experts always insist that one of the best things is to write a letter—an actual, personalized letter—insisting that this representative or senator do something about the ongoing genocide in Darfur, and about the gross misconduct of the Sudanese government in Khartoum. Remember that in 2005 the U.S. brought to bear great influence in brokering the peace between the north (Khartoum) and the south (the Sudan People's Liberation Army). When the U.S. wants to influence the Sudanese government, they surely have the power to do so. You can find out what your representatives have or haven't done on Darfur by checking their individual records at www.darfurscores.com.
After writing a letter, call 1-800-GENOCIDE. This free hotline will ask for your zip code and then connect you to your governor, your senator, or directly to the White House switchboard. For some ideas of what to say to your elected officials, read on.
2. TELL WASHINGTON THAT TRADING INFORMATION FOR DARFURIS IS UNACCEPTABLE
Many experts believe that one of the primary reasons Washington is dragging their feet in doing much about Darfur is due to Khartoum's help in their War on Terror. To back up: In the 1990s, Osama bin Laden spent six years in Khartoum. Sudan is where he built his network of terror. While being hosted by the Sudanese government, he provided Khartoum with millions of dollars. In the late 1990s, after the bombings of American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, the U.S. exerted great pressure on Sudan to expel bin Laden. They did so. (Again, the U.S. can have great influence in Sudan when they want to.) After 9/11, the Khartoum government became a very cooperative partner in the War on Terror. The U.S. could count on Sudan's intelligence community to provide information about any suspected terrorists who had worked with bin Laden in Sudan. Now, because the Sudanese have proven themselves useful in Washington's terrorist hunts, many experts believe that the Bush administration is loath to push Sudan too hard on the genocide in Darfur, lest Khartoum cease to be helpful in the War on Terror. These same experts believe strongly that the U.S. need not be so timid. The U.S. can still exert pressure on Khartoum without fear of losing a partner in intelligence-gathering. And even if they do lose this partner, we believe that trading the lives of hundreds of thousands of Darfuris is not worth whatever bits of information we're able to glean from Khartoum's intelligence.
3. SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT SUDAN
A number of nonprofits are aiding refugees and are working for peace in Sudan. This is by no means a complete list, but these organizations assisted Valentino and Dave, so we'll start with them:
Save the Children: When Valentino and Dave traveled to Sudan in 2003, they stayed in the compound of Save the Children's base in Marial Bai. Save the Children is involved in many efforts to aid the Sudanese who have suffered as a result of civil war, and has been instrumental in bringing former slaves and abductees back to their villages of origin.
http://www.savethechildren.org
Concern: Valentino and Dave flew on a Concern cargo flight back to Marial Bai. Concern brings food and supplies to war-ravaged areas. Their work in Sudan now focuses on nutrition, water sanitation, and shelter for people affected by the war.
http://www.concern.net
The UNHCR: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees maintained the refugee camps at Pinyudo and Kakuma mentioned in What Is the What. The agency is now working to help refugees return to their communities in southern Sudan, and to make the reintegration process a safe and sustainable one.
http://www.unhcr.org
International Crisis Group: This is a worldwide think tank that monitors, analyzes, and suggests solutions to conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world. Home of John Prendergast, one of the foremost American experts on Sudan—and the expert on whom Valentino and Dave continually rely. We believe that their work in Sudan, and on U.S. policy toward Sudan, is crucial.
http://www.crisisgroup.org
4. SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS LOBBYING FOR AN END TO GENOCIDE IN SUDAN
Just a few of these organizations:
ENOUGH: The ENOUGH campaign seeks to unite and strengthen the efforts of grassroots activists, policymakers, advocates, concerned journalists, and others by giving them up-to-date information from on the ground in Darfur and offering practical pressure points to end the violence.
http://enoughproject.org
The Save Darfur Coalition: The SDC includes more than 170 organizations working toward more international involvement in combating the killing in Darfur. Contributions allow them to continue raising awareness in the media and directing pressure toward policymakers.
http://www.savedarfur.org
Genocide Intervention Network: GI-Net supports African Union peacekeepers currently on the ground in Sudan by channeling private donations into the resources they need and catalyzing government support for the peacekeepers. They also started the anti-genocide hotline 1-800-GENOCIDE.
http://www.genocideintervention.net
5. SUPPORT THE VALENTINO ACHAK DENG FOUNDATION
Valentino created a new foundation to direct income from What Is the What and to raise support for the following projects:
The Educational Center of Marial Bai: Valentino returned to Marial Bai in early 2008 to begin construction on a large complex consisting of a secondary school, a teachers' training college, a public library, sports facilities, and a community center. Special emphasis will be placed on women's education (where school for girls and women is discouraged),
vocational training (in a region where most adults only go to primary school), and youth activities (where youths can
learn leadership and conflict-resolution skills while also enjoying sports, crafts, and other constructive activities).
College educations of Sudanese students in America: As can be seen in Valentino's life, even with support networks,
it's very difficult for Sudanese immigrants in America to attain college educations. Valentino intends to give as many college scholarships as his foundation can sustain.
To make a donation to the Valentino Achak Deng Foundation, visit www.valentinoachakdeng.org or mail a check to 849 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110.
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about other ways you can support Valentino's foundation, please send us an e-mail at info@valentinoachakdeng.org.
6. SUPPORT SUDANESE COMMUNITIES IN YOUR REGION
There are Sudanese all over the United States, and it doesn't take long to find a community near you. Rest assured that communities of exiles and refugees near you can use your help—financially, logistically, and with the many other adjustments to life in the United States.
7. SUPPORT DIVESTMENT EFFORTS
The Sudan Divestment Task Force is coordinating dozens of "targeted divestment" campaigns around the world. Their approach focuses on maximizing impact on the Sudanese government while protecting Sudanese civilians and the organizations that provide for them. Since U.S.-based pension funds have more than $90 billion invested in Sudan-related holdings, the potential impact is significant. Several states have already adopted the targeted divestment model, and legislation is pending in many others. You can help by examining your own investments (the task force provides a screening tool on its website—http://www.sudandivestment.org/screener.asp) and by getting involved in campaigns in your area—in your city, your state, your school, or your company. The task force also has everything you need to know to start a new campaign if none exists where you live.
http://www.sudandivestment.org
8. SUPPORT THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN
According to the signed peace agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Army, in 2011 the south will be able to vote on whether or not they want to secede from the north and become their own autonomous country. This is the course favored by Valentino Deng and most southern Sudanese. But in order for this to happen, the international community needs to maintain pressure on Khartoum. If the current course continues, whereby the world stands idly by and watches Khartoum annihilate its own people in Darfur, there will be little chance that the Sudanese government will honor their agreement to allow the secession of southern Sudan. Already the southern Sudanese are preparing for another civil war. But it doesn't have to be this way. If the world supports the southern Sudanese financially and politically, the nascent government of southern Sudan will grow stronger, and Khartoum will find it more difficult to violate their agreement.
9. PRESS FOR PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE REGIME
The government prosecuting the genocide in Sudan is the same one that was primarily responsible for 2 million deaths in southern Sudan. How long are we going to allow this to occur without imposing some kind of cost? In your letters to members of
Congress, you should demand that they support U.N. sanctions on responsible
Sudanese officials and their businesses, and demand that the U.S.
declassify and share its considerable intelligence with the International
Criminal Court to accelerate indictments against those officials.
10. JOIN AN ORGANIZATION
Many advocacy organizations are already working to help end the suffering in Sudan. Here are just a few resources available to you:
For students: With over 600 college and high-school chapters across the nation, STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) is one of the largest grassroots efforts advocating an end to the genocide in Darfur. Students should visit the STAND website to find out how they can get involved.
http://www.standnow.org
For communities: Local groups have played a critical role in pushing for action on Darfur. At the Save Darfur website, you can search for community organizations in your area, or learn how to start your own group.
http://www.savedarfur.org/page/group
For congregations: If you belong to a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, get your community involved in Sudan advocacy. Many national religious organizations have taken up the cause, but it is more meaningful when a local group contacts their congressperson or senator and tells him or her that this issue is important to them as voters and as people of faith. Congregations can learn more by joining the Save Darfur Congregational Network, which offers Faith Action Packs with specific resources for faith-based organizations.
http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/organize_your_congregation
MORE ABOUT
WHAT IS THE WHAT
Red dot denotes content that is new today.
Black dot denotes newish content.