Sudanese Government and Janjaweed Arab Militia Attack west Darfur in Act of Desperation

February 08, 2008

   The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is outraged by the attacks on three towns, Sirba, Sileia and Abu Suruj, in Western Darfur, north of El Geneina, on February 8, 2008. These attacks were carried out by the Sudanese government and Janjweed Arab militia. These perpetrators repeatedly bombed the villages, killing at least 200 civilians and injuring countless others. Additionally, the border between Chad and Sudan were bombed, eliminating the option for refuge in Chad.

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy believes that the Sudanese government is systematically killing as many Darfuri citizens before international intervention becomes imminent. For example, the UN has mandated a peacekeeping operation to protect Darfuris’ but has been unable to fully deploy peacekeepers as a result of the conflict in Chad. Many believe that the rebel forces in Chad were backed by the Sudanese government to delay international involvement in the Darfur region. However, now that the government of Chad had regained control, the UN peacekeeping force is expected to deploy shortly. Damanga believes that these attacks portray the Sudanese government’s desperation about the increasing international concern and involvement in Darfur. As a result, a joint operation between the government and militia are eliminating as many Darfuris’ as quickly as possible. This situation echoes the Nazi approach to murder the majority of Jewish Europeans before international involvement during World War II.

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy regrets this occurrence and extends its support and condolences to the families of the victims’. Damanga cries out to the international community to effectively thwart the Sudanese government’s efforts to eliminate the entire Darfuri population.