The Save Darfur Coalition is an alliance of more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations with more than 1 million activists and hundreds of community groups committed to peace, protection and accountability in Darfur and all Sudan.
What is the CONFLICT?
Responding to a rebellion in 2003, the regime of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and its allied militias began systematically killing, raping, and torturing innocent civilians living in Darfur, the western region of Sudan. An estimated 300,000 people died and 2.7 million people have been displaced from their homes as a result of this genocidal campaign. This followed decades of similar violence against civilians in Southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains of Central Sudan.
In 2004, the U.S. government recognized these atrocities as “genocide.” In response, the Save Darfur Coalition was formed to raise public awareness and mobilize a massive response to the atrocities in Darfur. By engaging and educating Americans on the dire situation in Darfur, the coalition has applied pressure on political leaders to end the first genocide of the 21st century and support peace for all of Sudan.
What is the CRISIS?
The crisis continues in Darfur, but it does not end there. In addition to violence and instability that make it dangerous, if not impossible, for millions of displaced Darfuris to return to their homes, a 2005 peace deal between the central government and rebels in Southern Sudan is in a fragile state. Many Sudanese worry that the elections in 2010 and referendum for Southern secession in 2011 will lead to mass violence. No restraints have been placed on the Sudanese government’s repression of its own people, despite their endless promises to reform.
What is the SOLUTION?
The Save Darfur Coalition believes that President Obama must lead the international community in calling for and supporting:
- Sustainable peace for all Sudan
- An end to gross human rights abuses and general political repression
- Justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators
The Save Darfur Coalition has helped develop strategies and advocate for diplomacy to promote peace, the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Darfur, billions of dollars in U.S. funding for humanitarian support, and increased awareness in Congress of how violence against women has been used as a weapon of genocide.
Take Action with the Save Darfur Coalition: Sudanese Elections
In April 2010, Sudan will hold its first multi-party elections (information here on the Save Darfur Coalition Web site) in 24 years. The Save Darfur Coalitions seeks to ensure that our government does not allow fraudulent election results to legitimize a genocidal, corrupt regime.
Save Darfur Coalition can facilitate an email from you directly to the White House and let them know you think the United States should lead the world in making sure brutal dictator Bashir is not allowed to claim legitimacy from a rigged election.
Learn what you can do to promote peace in Sudan with the Save Darfur Coalition through their Web site.
