Thursday, September 29, 2005

Sudan, war and peace...

When my wife and I first looked decided to go to Africa, it was because of the war induced famine in South Sudan. We thought that it was simply not right for people to die because they have no food, when some much of the world has plenty.

Then over the last few years, with a lot of effort, peace came to South Sudan. Even more astonding was seeing John Garang being sworn in as vice-president of Sudan. I never in a million years would have thought that he would ever be given such a position.

Then he died in a plane crash in Northern Uganda. Just a few weeks after he was sworn in... One of the most disheartening days that I have known in a long time.

Finally, we hear today of an attach on a refugee camp in the Dafur region. 29 people were killed when "Arab" militia attacked the camp. Sometimes it just never seems to end.

Sudan: At least 29 killed in Arab militia attack on Darfur camp - UNHCR

This is a mode of operation that has continued for decades in Sudan. The northern government, either by direct instigation, or by simply allowing it to occur, has been doing this since the war began. If they are serious about the peace process, this sort of thing needs to stop.

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