Sudan

Terrible reports and every sign that things are now so appalling that interventions will be made:

Sudan: The Passion of the Present

Using the designation for the first time in its 11 year history, the Holocaust Museum called the situation in Darfur a "genocide emergency" --not merely a description but the strongest language the museum has, in a three-tiered system designed to call attention to atrocities. [New York Times] The message is unmistakable -- every muscle in our culture should act, now, to stop the genocide. Never again. Knight-Ridder reports that the militia are burning people alive.

Jim Moore:

I'm writing because I really really need your help. The genocide in Sudan has taken a much worse turn, militias are burning people--children and adults--in what can only be described as mob psychology. What was a "Rwanda in slow motion" because the genocide was being carried out by an engineered famine and epidemic, is no longer going slowly. This is starting to feel like Rwanda all over again, as the frenzy builds up. Obasanjo of Nigeria flew last night to Sudan. The betting is that he will give the Sudanese government an ultimatum: either you "invite" the African Union in now, with substantial troops--or the AU and allies will enter against your will. It is very important today that the world show support for getting in and stopping this genocide process now. The resources are in place. The African Union has an initial group of 300 troops ready to go, with Dutch planes flying them in. Nigeria and Rwanda have pledged more. The French military started patrolling the border of Chad yesterday, to stop the militias from raiding the refugees camps serving those who can escape from Sudan. The British have 5000 troops on alert. The US administration has, we are told by insiders, approved funding for a military/humanitarian rescue, has approval from congressional leaders, and communicated this to Kofi Annan last weekend. What is not happening is anyone pulling the trigger. If Obasanjo cannot get Sudan to accept troops--and/or if Obasanjo cannot get the African Union members to approve troops against Sudan's wishes, then someone will need to act, and act very very fast--like in the next few days. Passion of the Present is posting updates every few hours ... it also has links to news sources that are current to the minute, are are sourced both here and in Africa.