Breaking News: Darfur Rebel Attacks and Retaliation
This weekend, the conflict in Sudan took a turn for the worse. On May 10, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a Darfuri rebel group, attacked Khartoum in an attempt to topple the Sudanese regime. Though the Sudanese government has reportedly rebuffed the attacks, the infiltration into Khartoum has escalated the conflict.
Daily news filtering back from Sudan reports widespread retaliation by the Khartoum government against Darfuri civilians. Reports indicate episodes of torture, forced detention and even execution of Darfuri civilians in and around Khartoum. In addition, Janjaweed attacks have resumed in North Darfur. Sudan, which blames Chad for backing the JEM rebel group and encouraging this most recent assault on the capital, has officially cut diplomatic ties with Chad, its neighbor to the west.
Both the government of Sudan and rebel groups are digging in their heels, making prospects for peace even more remote. We must act now to prevent further escalation of this deadly conflict.
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Take Action!
Call President Bush at 202-456-1111 and urge him to:
- Demand an immediate end to atrocities;
- Speed up deployment of peacekeepers; and
- Make clear to all sides that there is no violent solution to this conflict.
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