After years, Darfur genocide persists

April 2, 2009 by Afan Tarar 

Developed countries must act to stop atrocities in Sudan

Genocide in Darfur is a problem that cannot be ignored any longer. 

Time after time, developed countries have used the deadly weapon of ignorance to deal with such problems. We cannot allow this to happen anymore.Throughout history, many major atrocities have gone unpunished and unrecognized. A couple of the most prominent and widely criticized genocides are the Holocaust and the genocide in Rwanda. Both of these could have been avoided with the right amount of public participation, but people just lived their lives and only cared after the fact. 

People go and make their speeches, memorials are made, philosophers sit and talk about the issue, news reporters and celebrities speak out only as much as it suits them, but really, none of it matters because it is already done. 

But the problem in Darfur is happening now, it has been for years and it can be solved by some real initiative from the U.S.  If politicians really care about the people and if every word of their pretty speeches is genuine, then why are they not acting? 

We have an obligation to the people of Darfur so that 10 years from now, rather than talking about what should have happened or what could have happened, we can look back and proudly tell what actually happened and how Americans saved the lives of millions of people. We pride ourselves on being leaders. Leading doesn’t mean being a leader only when it benefits us economically and forgetting about everyone else when it has nothing to do with us. 

The people of Darfur are suffering. There have been countless calls to action by individuals and organizations, but still, a conflict that can be solved if the U.S. government really wanted thats persists and kills. 

Due to ethnic tensions in the area and a cruel government, the population of Darfur is being dislocated and brutally massacred. Unfortunately, the rebel forces that are instigating the genocide in Darfur were armed by the state itself and are a means for more power for the Sudanese government. 

This killing spree has claimed the lives of millions. People right now are suffering at the hands of a brutal government and its mistakes. 

The sad thing is that no one in the international community is taking this seriously. There have been many pretty speeches, lots of warnings, but no concrete action. 

As the leaders of the international community, the U.S. has to take a stand and let these brutal people know that such abuses will no longer be tolerated. Rather than randomly invade countries on the premise that their dictators are bad and they may have weapons of mass destruction, why not actually use our forces and ability to save the lives of millions of suffering people.

The solution to this problem is very simple: Get the government to actually do something. We live in an amazing country where we have the rare opportunity do something about the problems that we care about. 

The problem with Sudan is one of ignorance and lack of infrastructure. We need to first get rid of the current military ruler of Sudan and end the illogical violence using whatever means necessary. 

Then we must attack the heart of the problem. Using American companies and workers we can rebuild Sudan by building roads, supplying running water and other resources. Using our resources to do something real, we can actually have a mutually beneficial relationship with these countries. By helping them improve their quality of life, not only do they benefit by hopefully being able to finally lead some form of a normal life, but also we can get earn loyal patrons. 

If we help immediately, we can get to the root of the problem. This presents  a golden opportunity for the world because America can set up a government and infrastructure in Sudan that can be a model to the rest of Africa. Many of you are thinking that I am making the same type of problem that we did in Iraq, which is actually untrue. 

Iraq didn’t need us, Sudan does. 

They are waiting to be liberated and have been for decades. By helping to build roads, water systems, electric grids etc., there can be a better standard of living for the people. This can be the beginning of a new era in the world, where stability in Africa can lead to prosperity for other countries.

Everyone has an obligation to help prevent these atrocities. If we do not then we are justifying the genocide by ignoring it. Let us not make this another Holocaust or another Rwanda. Write to your congressman and inform your friends and family about the problem. 

I refuse to believe that thousands of us can write articles in newspapers and letters to the president when undeserving CEOs are getting bonuses, but cannot rally together to stop the death of millions of people. No. We must take a stand and bring about change in this world. If we expect others countries to care about us, we must care about them.