US Normalizing ties with Khartoum causes fresh violence

May 05, 2008

        On May 4, 2008, Sudanese government planes bombed Shegeg Karo, Northern Darfur. First, the Sudanese military aircraft bombed a primary school, killing seven children and injuring thirty-two. Also, a market place was bombed which resulted in the deaths of six people. This is the worst violence that Northern Darfur has experienced in recent years. Although the Sudanese government adamantly denies these attacks, villagers and humanitarian relief organizations claim that the government is responsible. Additionally, three other villages were bombed the previous day. As a result of this increased violence, Minni Arcua Minnawi, former leader of the Sudan Liberation Army and presidential assistant in recent years, is protesting these acts of violence by refusing to fulfill his governmental responsibilities.

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy would like to extend its condolences to the friends and families of the victims and all those affected by this atrocity. Damanga condemns this violence and urges the international community to hold the government of Khartoum accountable for these horrific acts against humanity. Additionally, Damanga praises the position taken by Minnawi and hopes that other government officials will extend their support to ending violence in Darfur as well. At this time, Damanga beseeches the international community to fully deploy the UNAMID mission in order to provide security in the Darfur region. Damanga also urges the United States government to reconsider normalizing ties with the government of Sudan, as this relationship seems to be helping Khartoum gain confidence.