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Next meeting: Tuesday 9 pm MC 310
We are still looking for treasurers! Contact Kate at khoops@... if you're interested.
* *Tomorrow* Feb 26th, and every Monday, there will be a DC Divestment Meeting at 8:30 pm in the Marvin Center 2nd floor lobby. Contact Adam (zmaineman@...) or Sonya (sonya.naganathan@...) for more information or to be added to the DC Divestment listserv.
* This and every Wednesday join fellow Darfur activists for at weekly protest at the Sudanese Embassy from 12-1. If you would like to join members of STAND this week (2/28) or want more information, please contact Kate (kate_lon@...).
* On March 10 , join Darfur student activists in a new step towards the end of the genocide in Darfur!
Student activists, having been moved and alarmed by China's role in the genocide in Darfur, have committed to protesting and publicizing this connection.
In order to create a physical manifestation of this link , we will be forming a human chain between the Chinese and Sudanese Missions to the UN on Saturday March 10th, 2007 . While this movement has participated in a wide array of actions over the past several years, we feel that it is time to take action to the next level and hold international actors, such as China, accountable.
This action is sponsored by STAND National and the Genocide Intervention Network and it relies on the participation of every single Darfur activist, as every participant is one more link in the chain strengthening the connection between China and the genocide in Darfur
If you would like to register yourself or your group, e-mail chaintochina@... and include: your name, your group's name, the names of those attending, your school or town, and your contact information.
Sean will be working to organize a bus to New York for all of the DC chapters, so if you're interested in coming along, please email him at sredding@... by Wednesday. The buses will most likely cost about $35 (though this is dependent on interest!!!). This is a great opportunity, so hopefully all of you can go!
* Sunday, March 11, at 10:30 am: New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof will give a lecture on Darfur, at Washington Hebrew Congregation. In 2006, Mr. Kristof won a Pulitzer Prize for his writing on Darfur.
This program is free and open to the public. Washington Hebrew Congregation is located at 3935 Macomb Street, NW (a few blocks from Massachusetts Ave.) in Washington. The WHC telephone number is 202-362-7100.
This program is free and open to the public. Washington Hebrew Congregation is located at 3935 Macomb Street, NW (a few blocks from Massachusetts Ave.) in Washington. The WHC telephone number is 202-362-7100.
* Our Dodgeball for Darfur will be all day on March 31st to raise money and awareness about the genocide in Darfur. Please contact Caitlin: cdimino@... if you're interested in helping.
* Darfur fundraiser: Thursday March 29th at 7 PM at Guapo's restaurant (right next to the Tenley town metro), featuring John Stone Roots Reggae band. Tickets will be $12 and $8 for students ("minimum suggested donation"). Cash bar and food available. Contact Kimberly Siegal: ksiegal@... to help.
* Lobby Day is April 23rd (the date has changed). Join us to tell our senators and representatives we want them to do more to stop the genocide in Darfur. On April 22nd we will host an all day training session to prepare. The deadline to sign up to participate is March 19th! To do so, please email Kaitlyn (kpayne@...) your: name, university, email address, phone number, hometown, state, zip code, availability on MONDAY APRIL 23rd, representative in the house (optional), and senators (optional).
* We are participating in Africa Week sponsored by Books for Africa and the Organization for African Students. We will be planning a panel on April 17. Please contact Caitlin at cdimino@... if you have suggestions or can help out.
* Internship Opportunity:
Dear AASN,
There is an immediate spring semester opening in the Department of Public Education and Mobilization. Please send your application to evelyn@..., more information below.
Regards,
Evelyn Sallah
Internship Opportunities
Africa Action offers academic semester and summer internships for undergraduate and graduate students in Washington, DC. Interns will develop a more comprehensive understanding of how an Africa advocacy organization utilizes policy analysis and organizing to affect national policy.
An internship at Africa Action will provide participants an opportunity to support the organization's current work, focused on three primary campaigns to cancel Africa's debt, end the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, and stop genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Interns will work primarily in either the Public Education and Mobilization Department (DPEM) or the Policy Analysis and Communications Department (DPAC), depending on their talents and interests.
Interns working with the Public Education and Mobilization staff will:
- Support the department staff to implement Africa Action's national mobilization strategy
- Work on public education, outreach, and media initiatives, to build support for our activities
- Assist in developing key campaign materials and provide support for Africa Action events.
- Conduct research to identify key contacts for Africa Action's activist networks (Religious Action Network, Africa Action Student Network)
- Participate in meetings with a range of other civil society groups to plan activism on key African issues.
Interns working with the Policy Analysis and Communications staff will:
- Track key issues and specific legislative developments in U.S. policy toward Africa
- Conduct research on Africa Action's primary campaigns and other organizational priorities
- Draft text for publications, correspondence, web pages, etc
- Support staff in implementing Africa Action's national media strategy
Qualifications:
Applicants should be organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in Africa, human rights, and economic and social justice. Relevant coursework is highly desirable. Computer/web literacy required.
To Apply:
Interested students should submit their resume, short writing sample (3-5 pages), references and cover letter to africaaction@... or the address below.
Africa Action internships run in three sessions during the year:
Fall/Winter internships run from September through December,
Winter/Spring internships run from January/February through May,
Summer internships run from June through August .
However, Africa Action is willing to be flexible to accommodate other academic schedules.
Africa Action
Internship Program
1634 Eye Street NW, Suite 810
Washington, DC 20006
* Darfur Legislative Update:
The House adjourns today for the scheduled President's Day recess (Feb. 19 - 23), while the Senate has scheduled a weekend vote on a resolution concerning the war in Iraq. Congress has also begun to hold hearings on the President's FY 2007 supplemental and FY 2008 budget requests.
UN Special Envoy for Darfur Jan Eliasson and AU Special Envoy for Darfur Salim Ahmed Salim are working to bring rebel groups and the government of Sudan back to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, President Bashir has reiterated his position that the peacekeeping mission in Darfur should remain under African Union auspices, and that the UN's role should be confined to logistical support. Also, as violence continues in Darfur, Oxfam issued a press release yesterday warning that the situation in eastern Chad is deteriorating as well and needs urgent attention. Please see the press release and article pasted below for more information.
Topics in this Message:
1) Senate clears H.J. Res. 20 to complete FY 2007 appropriations
2) President Sends FY 2007 Supplemental Request and FY 2008 Budget Request to Congress
3) Senators Feingold (WI), Levin (MI), and Sununu (NH) Introduce Resolution on Sudan, Chad, and CAR
4) Hearing Notices and Transcripts
1) Senate clears H.J. Res. 20 to complete FY 2007 appropriations
Earlier this week, the Senate voted 81 - 15 to approve H.J. Res. 20, a $463.5 billion joint resolution to continue funding the federal government through the end of FY 2007. The final legislation retained $50 million in the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) account to help fund the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). This funding, which was not included in the original FY07 state and foreign operations appropriations request, will help sustain and support AMIS as planning continues for a transition to a UN-AU hybrid mission. The resolution also contains $1.135 billion in the Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities (CIPA) account, which funds U.S. dues to the UN for peacekeeping operations. Last year's FY07 request allocated $441,873,000 of that amount for the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and a potential UN mission in Darfur.
2) President Sends FY 2007 Supplemental Request and FY 2008 Budget Request to Congress
On Monday February 5, the President sent his FY 2007 Supplemental Request and FY 2008 Budget Request to Congress. Both of the requests include funding for Sudan, including for peacekeeping and for humanitarian and development assistance. Th e State Department's Summary and Highlights of the International Affairs Budget Request states that the FY08 request for Sudan is $679 million, a 36 percent increase over FY06 ( http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80151.pdf ). Watch for a more detailed breakdown of the funding request next week.
The FY07 supplemental includes a request for $150 million in the Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) account to help fund the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). According the State Department's Summary and Highlights, the funds will go toward: construction and operations; and maintenance of base camps for AMIS troops; maintenance of vehicles and communications equipment; pre-deployment training and equipping for Rwandan and Senegalese troops in AMIS; strategic airlift of AMIS troops; provision of U.S. contract military observers to AMIS; and support for transition of AMIS to a United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur. The supplemental request also includes $150 million for food assistance and $40 million for International Disaster and Famine Assistance in Sudan, Darfur, and eastern Chad.
3) Senators Feingold (WI), Levin (MI), and Sununu (NH) Introduce Resolution on Sudan, Chad, and CAR
Senators Feingold (WI), Levin (MI), and Sununu (NH) have introduced a resolution, S. Res. 76, calling on the United States Government and the international community "to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy in Africa to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace in eastern Chad, the Central African Republic, and Darfur, Sudan. " It urges the UN Security Council to authorize a peacekeeping mission in eastern Chad, and also calls on regional players to commit to political negotiations. The full text of S. Res. 76 is attached.
4) Hearing Notices and Transcripts
Today, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs at hearing on the FY 2007 supplemental appropriations request for international affairs. Her opening remarks, in which she mentions the United States' continued commitment to Sudan, can be found here: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2007/feb/80597.htm .
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law held a hearing entitled "Genocide and the Rule of Law." Statements by Senators Durbin (IL), Leahy (VT), and Cardin (MD) and the witnesses' testimony can be found here: http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=2521 . Also last week, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled "The Escalating Crisis in Darfur: Are There Any Prospects for Peace?" . The opening statements of Special Envoy Natsios and Chairman Lantos (CA) can be found here: http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/testimony.asp?subnav=close .
If you would like a full transcript of the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing or the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Rule of Law hearing, please email laura@... , and I will email you a PDF of the transcript (the files are quite large).
**The Darfur Legislative Update provides information on the efforts of various groups to serve the broad legislative advocacy community working on Darfur related issues. All information included does not necessarily reflect the views of the Friends Committee on National Legislation ( FCNL).**
Oxfam: Eastern Chad must not become another Darfur
Posted: 15 02 2007
New attacks on civilians leave dozens dead
N'DJAMENA, CHAD -- Attacks on civilians in eastern Chad must not be allowed to reach levels seen in Darfur, said international aid agency, Oxfam, today as the UN Security Council prepares to decide whether to send a peacekeeping force to the country.
The number of internally displaced Chadians has quadrupled since May 2006, from 30,000 to more than 120,000 people, mostly as a result of violent attacks on villages.
In the last two weeks, attacks on civilians have intensified in the north-eastern province of Dar Tama, where traditional rivalries are spiralling into major conflict as armed groups become more organised, more numerous and better equipped. In the south-eastern province of Dar Sila, inter-ethnic clashes and attacks on villages, including cross-border raids from neighbouring Darfur, are being carried out with impunity. In the final week of January, dozens of civilians were killed in militia attacks on villages near Djimeze and Biltine.
"We are facing an extraordinary situation as more than 230,000 refugees, who fled attacks in Darfur in 2003 and 2004, are joined by thousands of Chadians fleeing a new wave of fighting at home," said Roland Van Hauwermeiren, head of Oxfam in Chad. "Eastern Chad is one of the hardest places in the world to find water. And, despite our best efforts, some people are only receiving 4 to 5 litres of water per day when they should be receiving at least 15 litres."
Oxfam is providing clean water to 30,000 displaced people in and around the town of Goz Beida, but is struggling to keep pace as more people arrive, and insecurity forces the number of staff to be cut back. Over the past two weeks, Oxfam has delivered three cargo planes full of water and sanitation equipment to eastern Chad. In addition to water pumps and a drilling rig, these planes have carried materials to construct emergency latrines for people who have been displaced by the violence.
Animal and human waste is scattered throughout the areas where displaced Chadians have settled, and children walk with bare feet.
"In some of the areas where we work, you've got 12,000 or 15,000 people, and not a single latrine. If further violence prevents us from building latrines quickly, it will be very hard to prevent the outbreak of infectious and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, cholera and hepatitis," said Van Hauwermeiren. "Every day, more and more people in eastern Chad are suffering the consequences of violent conflict, and the situation is spiralling out of control. We need to put an end to the attacks now."
Oxfam appeals to Chadian authorities and the international community to take urgent and immediate action to stop inter-ethnic violence and assist those who have been affected by it. As the United Nations Security Council deliberates the deployment of an international force to eastern Chad, Oxfam reminds all parties to the conflict that:
- Priority must be given to the protection of civilians caught up in the conflict. Any international force deployed to Chad will need to direct its focus to the safety and security of the Sudanese refugees, Chadian displaced people, and local communities, to put an end to further attacks on civilian populations.
- Actions to stop violence against civilians must be taken swiftly and decisively. Should the UN Security Council decide to deploy a force this month, UN member states must make financial, logistical and human resources available for a full deployment immediately.
- Humanitarian actors must be able to provide assistance to those in need without coming under fire or attack themselves. It is crucial that any international force in Chad communicates clearly with all parties to the conflict about its focus on civilian protection, and makes every effort to respect and promote the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian agencies.
- Short-term measures to improve civilian security in eastern Chad will need to be complemented by an inclusive national dialogue between a wide range of government, opposition and civil society actors. There can be no sustainable peace in Chad without a political process.
Notes to Editors
International humanitarian standards (known as 'SPHERE' standards) recommend a minimum of 15 litres of water per person per day in a humanitarian emergency.
_____________________________________
SUDAN: Military solution 'not an option' in Darfur
KHARTOUM, 16 February 2007 (IRIN) - A military solution is not an option in ending the crisis in Darfur, according to United Nations and African Union officials. Instead, the parties to the Darfur conflict must agree to a peace process.
"There is an acknowledgement that there is simply no military solution to the Darfur crisis," the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Sudan, Jan Eliasson, told reporters in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Thursday. "That is a starting point for the way forward and that is the political road."
At a joint news conference with Salim Ahmed Salim, the AU's special envoy to Darfur, Eliasson warned: "A missed opportunity, again on Darfur – not building on what we have achieved and not taking the chance now to finally get this conflict behind us – will be a serious mistake."
The two envoys have been in Khartoum and Darfur for talks with government and rebel representatives, in a renewed attempt to coax non-signatories to the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement to agree a truce. They also hoped to pressure the Sudanese government to halt its military campaign in the war-torn region.
"There cannot be a military solution to the crisis in Darfur," Salim said. "The result is only suffering, death and destruction for ordinary people."
Despite repeated promises by both the Sudanese government and rebels, there is little evidence on the ground to demonstrate that either side is committed to a peaceful solution to the crisis, observers say.
On the contrary, the violence has continued to escalate, threatening humanitarian operations across the vast region. This week, for example, the AU reported that Sudanese military planes had bombed two villages in North Darfur in direct violation of two ceasefire agreements. Sudanese officials said the bombardment was a defensive manoeuvre against rebels.
Salim said they had urged parties to the conflict to stop the violence. "We have been encouraged by the initial reaction of everybody we met on this issue – the importance of de-escalation of violence - and by the assurances from all the other parties that they will do the utmost to facilitate the operations of humanitarian organisations," he said.
"We are going to operate with a sense of urgency," the envoy added. "Because if you say 'we will continue to consult and consult and consult,' the more time you take, the more people will die."
According to aid workers, violence in Darfur has escalated since the signing of the Darfur accord between the government and one faction of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement.
Two factions refused to sign, complaining that it did not meet their basic demands of wealth and power-sharing. The rebel movements later fragmented and shifting alliances between rebel groups have resulted in continuing clashes with government forces.
Over the past year, a significant number of attacks have been directed at humanitarian workers, severely curtailing aid operations. Observers say the culprits remain largely unidentified due to growing confusion over which groups are politically motivated rebels and which are mere bandits.
"The humanitarian workers are exhausted," Eliasson added. "We heard from them clear expressions of fatigue, of frustration at the situation."
The Darfur conflict started in 2003, when rebels took up arms complaining that the remote Darfur region remained undeveloped due to neglect by Khartoum's powerful Islamist regime.
The Sudanese government responded by arming Arab Janjawid militias to contain the conflict; the militias instead launched a campaign of rape and murder, targeting black African communities.
Aid workers estimate that at least two million people have been made homeless by the conflict. The fighting has also spilled over into eastern Chad and northeastern Central African Republic, with the three countries trading accusations of supporting each other's rebels.
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding mission on Darfur travelled to neighbouring Chad to interview refugees who have fled the war-torn region, having failed to secure Sudanese visas.
Speaking in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was disappointed the team could not visit Sudan, and had raised the issue with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
"There is an acknowledgement that there is simply no military solution to the Darfur crisis," the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Sudan, Jan Eliasson, told reporters in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Thursday. "That is a starting point for the way forward and that is the political road."
At a joint news conference with Salim Ahmed Salim, the AU's special envoy to Darfur, Eliasson warned: "A missed opportunity, again on Darfur – not building on what we have achieved and not taking the chance now to finally get this conflict behind us – will be a serious mistake."
The two envoys have been in Khartoum and Darfur for talks with government and rebel representatives, in a renewed attempt to coax non-signatories to the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement to agree a truce. They also hoped to pressure the Sudanese government to halt its military campaign in the war-torn region.
"There cannot be a military solution to the crisis in Darfur," Salim said. "The result is only suffering, death and destruction for ordinary people."
Despite repeated promises by both the Sudanese government and rebels, there is little evidence on the ground to demonstrate that either side is committed to a peaceful solution to the crisis, observers say.
On the contrary, the violence has continued to escalate, threatening humanitarian operations across the vast region. This week, for example, the AU reported that Sudanese military planes had bombed two villages in North Darfur in direct violation of two ceasefire agreements. Sudanese officials said the bombardment was a defensive manoeuvre against rebels.
Salim said they had urged parties to the conflict to stop the violence. "We have been encouraged by the initial reaction of everybody we met on this issue – the importance of de-escalation of violence - and by the assurances from all the other parties that they will do the utmost to facilitate the operations of humanitarian organisations," he said.
"We are going to operate with a sense of urgency," the envoy added. "Because if you say 'we will continue to consult and consult and consult,' the more time you take, the more people will die."
According to aid workers, violence in Darfur has escalated since the signing of the Darfur accord between the government and one faction of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement.
Two factions refused to sign, complaining that it did not meet their basic demands of wealth and power-sharing. The rebel movements later fragmented and shifting alliances between rebel groups have resulted in continuing clashes with government forces.
Over the past year, a significant number of attacks have been directed at humanitarian workers, severely curtailing aid operations. Observers say the culprits remain largely unidentified due to growing confusion over which groups are politically motivated rebels and which are mere bandits.
"The humanitarian workers are exhausted," Eliasson added. "We heard from them clear expressions of fatigue, of frustration at the situation."
The Darfur conflict started in 2003, when rebels took up arms complaining that the remote Darfur region remained undeveloped due to neglect by Khartoum's powerful Islamist regime.
The Sudanese government responded by arming Arab Janjawid militias to contain the conflict; the militias instead launched a campaign of rape and murder, targeting black African communities.
Aid workers estimate that at least two million people have been made homeless by the conflict. The fighting has also spilled over into eastern Chad and northeastern Central African Republic, with the three countries trading accusations of supporting each other's rebels.
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding mission on Darfur travelled to neighbouring Chad to interview refugees who have fled the war-torn region, having failed to secure Sudanese visas.
Speaking in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was disappointed the team could not visit Sudan, and had raised the issue with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
* If you're interested:
Coffee and Reconciliation in Rwanda
10-Day Tour: May 18 - 28, 2007
Join us for an inspiring adventure to warm and exotic Rwanda, highlighting its history and politics to coffee and its future – plus a visit to the Mountain Gorilla site
Price: $1995 (land costs only)
if interested contact Dr. Livingston at sliv@...
Kimberly Easson and Dr. Steven Livingston, two internationally recognized experts on coffee and politics respectively, will lead a tour to Rwanda – a country once divided by ethnic strife and violence that has since become an inspiring story of renewal and tenuous reconciliation. This ten-day tour will focus on the history and political context of Rwanda, followed by an in-depth look at the struggle and hope created through the burgeoning coffee industry. Finally, we'll complete our adventure in Rwanda with a visit to the must-see Volcanoes National Park, home to the amazing Mountain Gorillas. We invite you to join us for this spectacular and awe-inspiring adventure to this warm and beautiful country that will challenge and inspire you.
Between April and June 1994 -- in the space of 100 days -- over 800,000 Rwandans were murdered in one of the worst genocides of the 20th Century. Why did it occur? How does one come to grips with such violence? And, most importantly, from our encounter with the reality of these events, what can be learned about reconciliation, social justice, and even compassion? How has Rwanda emerged from this period of unimaginable tragedy into a new dawn of hope? Rwanda has much to teach Westerners looking for alternatives to the too common reliance on violent retribution.
During the first part of our tour we will focus on the events of 1994 and its aftermath. This will, no doubt, be challenging, as it should be. But our intention is not to act as voyeurs of suffering. Instead, the point is to build a foundation from which the story of modern Rwanda can be told. Rwanda is emerging as an inspiring success story, though serious concerns remain. Our objective is to hear and see that story. As travel writer Janice Booth exclaims, "I've seen the whole country transform itself from a shell-shocked ruin, site of appalling horrors, into a vibrant, prosperous, safe and energetic nation, well able to tackle the demands of the 21st century and to welcome tourists. Its progress . . . has been astonishing." Our focus is on that remarkable success story, beginning with an understanding of where it began in the dark days of 1994.
One of the most effective catalysts for peace and reconciliation is hope. Today, hope in Rwanda is found in its coffee cooperatives. Coffee has played an important role for many Rwandans in transforming their lives, communities and country toward reconciliation and prosperity. The last half of our tour will focus on how coffee is bringing continued hope to many Rwandans
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