After The Speeches, Time For Action On Sudan
President Barack Obama spoke about Sudan during his speech at the United Nations yesterday, saying:
"We will pursue a lasting peace in Sudan through support for the people of Darfur, and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so that we secure the peace that the Sudanese people deserve. And in countries ravaged by violence - from Haiti to Congo to East Timor - we will work with the UN and other partners to support an enduring peace."
While Enough appreciated the attention Sudan received, it is also important to note that the government of Sudan has repeatedly abrogated its fundamental responsibilities by deliberately targeting innocent civilians while failing to fulfill peace agreement after peace agreement. We cannot just talk about war crimes and international law in the abstract. These issues demand an effective international response. Read a joint press release on the speech from Enough, the Save Darfur Coalition, and the Genocide Intervention Network.
Visit our Take Action page to learn how you can call on the Obama Administration to take strong and immediate action in Sudan.
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Sister Schools Program Featured
On Rachel Maddow Show
NBA star Tracy McGrady and Enough's Co-Founder John Prendergast discussed the new Darfur Dream Team Sister Schools program on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Show last night. The program is a "dream team" partnership of premier international organizations, professional basketball players, and U.S. students raising funds to build, equip, and train teachers for Darfuri refugee schools in Chad and to connect Darfuri and American students via the internet to promote mutual understanding. Hundreds of U.S. schools are already participating. For more information, visit www.darfurdreamteam.org.
Congo Video Contest Winner Aims to 'Restore Life' Though Education, Advocacy
New media aficionado Matt Smith, (pictured at left), a graduate student from Bend, OR, knew he had to work fast when he heard about the Enough-YouTube Come Clean 4 Congo video contest a few days before the submission deadline.
Driving home from volunteer work, Smith wrote a script and cast a video in his head. In the next days, he whipped together a team: a former intern who's a student and a rap artist in Chicago to perform, a video editor, musician, and photographer - all volunteers - and got the video submitted to the Enough Project in Washington, D.C., on time.
The result, Life Should Be Free, is a compelling rap monologue that won over thousands of viewers around the world and beat out stiff competition from other video artists. Read more about the video here and watch it below.
(Click to watch the winning video)
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Activities, Actions, Advocacy
- Urge your Senators to cosponsor the Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009. This bipartisan bill is the strongest effort to date that addresses the scourge of conflict minerals in Congo. E-mail or call your Senators now.
- Join Enough and the Genocide Intervention Network, STAND, and Save Darfur at the Pledge 2 Protect National Conference in Washington, D.C. November 6-9. To register or for more information, visit http://pledge2protect.net.
- Sign the Citizen's Arrest Warrant for Joseph Kony to help bring an end to the Lord's Resistance Army. Take part in Invisible Children's initiative and learn more about their fall campaign at http://www.invisiblechildren.com/obama
- The 2010 application for Genocide Intervention Network's Carl Wilkens Fellowship is now available online here. The fellowship is a selective, 12-month program that provides a diverse set of emerging citizen leaders with the tools and training to build sustained political will to end genocide. The goal is to develop effective leaders in communities across the U.S. who have acquired the skills and fostered the relationships necessary to influence and shape U.S. policies on genocide.
- Follow us on Twitter! Keep up to date by following 'Enoughproject.'
Upcoming Events
- Saturday, September 26, Edmond, OK
Power of One campaign launch and fundraiser for University of Oklahoma student-led initiatives related to Enough's Congo and Darfur programs. For more information, contact Dialogue, Start One; email jackie@oopsala.com
- Wednesday, October 7, Washington, D.C.
War Child, film screening, Capitol Visitors Center
- Thursday, October 8, Washington, D.C.
A RAISE Hope for Congo campaign benefit for Actions for the Welfare of Women and Children in Kivu (ABFEK)
STIR Lounge, 6:30-8:30pm, $15 per person
(Click here for details on the Enough Project's events page.
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Watch Enough Co-founder John Prendergast discuss what the Obama administration must do on Sudan at the Center for American Progress.
From Our Blog,
Enough Said
Ledio Cakaj, Enough's Kampala-based field researcher, discusses the government's crackdown on the media after recent rioting in Uganda:
In the aftermath of one of the most violent riots in Uganda's recent history, many are wondering what the events might mean for the upcoming elections in 2011. The intimidation tactics used against Mr. Sserumaga and the clamp down on the media are certainly troubling indicators of what may be to come.
Documentary films concerning Congo and Sudan, nominated for Emmy Awards, were mentioned at the ceremonies this week:
"The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo" was nominated for Outstanding Informational Programming and Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft, while "The Devil Came on Horseback" received a nod for Best Documentary. Manohla Dargis of the New York Times said it best in her review: "Brutal, urgent, devastating-the documentary 'The Devil Came on Horseback' demands to be seen as soon as possible and by as many viewers as possible." Undoubtedly, viewers of "The Greatest Silence" would say the same.
Quotes of the Week
Without knowing it, tens of millions of people in the United States may be putting money in the pockets of some of the worst human rights violators in the world simply by using a cell phone or laptop computer. We ought to do all we can to make sure that the products we use and the minerals we import in no way support those who violate human rights abroad.
-Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill) in an article in Congressional Quarterly highlighting the Senate bill calling for transparency in the consumer electronics supply chain.
...It is still bewildering that General [Scott] Gration would ever use such a formulation of bears and honey when discussing President Bashir. Again and again in public statements the special envoy seems to gravitate toward highlighting his preference for incentives over pressures, and every single time there seems to be a follow-up statement insisting that the envoy is relying equally on the two. It is hard not to discern some patterns here.
-Executive Director John Norris, in a Huffington Post blog, Honey for Sudan's President?
Enough in the News
Foreign Policy: In the Business of Change
- Congresssional Quarterly article about conflict minerals mining in Congo
After a U.S. Air Strike, Somali Peacekeepers Pay
- Time article quoting John Prendergast
Oil Squabble Could Re-Ignite Sudan War
- United Press International article quoting Colin Thomas-Jensen
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Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on the crises in Sudan, Chad, eastern Congo, northern Uganda, Somalia and Zimbabwe. Enough's strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a "3P" crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises. To learn more about Enough and what you can do to help, go to www.enoughproject.org.
© Copyright 2009 Center for American Progress, All Rights Reserved.
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