Monday, April 26, 2004

There's always so much conflict and unrest going on around the world. Constantly we're bombarded by headlines and news coverage of Iraq, and terrorism but there are other terrible conflicts happening. Especially in Africa, where right now there's civil disobedience ie. internal wars in Burundi, Nigeria and Sudan among other countless small wars and tribal violence.

Sudan is a country that has suffered one of the deadliest fighting in the world over the past 2 decades.
At least 1.5 million people have died and 4 million been displaced and made refugees over this prolonged war. Fought between the Arabic government army forces (things are actually more complex than this) and the rebel force of the (mainly-Christian) black tribes from the South : the Sudanese People's Liberation Army. (The 2 sides are working on a peace agreement) In addition western Sudan region of Darfur there's also a campaign that has sprung up (since early 2003) in which government supported Arab militias have attacked and terrorized local peoples to the number of approximately 1 million.
Links to information on Sudan conflicts:

Darfur conflict short description
BBC info. on Darfur conflict

Sudan civil war description
BBC report on situation now

Canadian inter-church coalition report on genocide

Also there's an UN report out now that describes the conditions that exist in Africa for slavery and human trafficking. Really appalling and terrible especially when you consider this the 21st century.

BBC article