"Don't bring them back, eat them alive." from UNITED TO END GENOCIDE 4APR12

APRIL is Genocide Prevention Month and the world needs to focus on the carnage in Sudan, especially South Kordofan, Blue Nile, the Nuba Mountains and the border regions of Sudan and South Sudan. The war criminal al-bashir is unleashing his thugs to kill with bombs and bullets and through starvation. We can not stand by and let this continue. Please sign the petition and pressure the American government to pass the Sudan Peace, Security and Accountability Act. After WW II many joined Jewish survivors of the Holocaust in declaring never again tolerating genocide to happen. The world has failed "Never Again!" miserably in Cambodia, Bosnia and all of the former Yugoslavia, in Rwanda and in Darfur and all of Sudan. We can not allow this to continue, please join and support this campaign.....

		The situation in Sudan is worsening — and hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. Take action now and help stop the atrocities occurring in Sudan at the hands of people like Ahmed Harun.   "You must hand over the place clean. Swept, rubbed, crushed. Don’t bring them back alive." The Sudanese state governor of South Kordofan, Ahmed Harun, was just caught on film addressing soldiers before an attack against innocent people this past weekend. An army commander standing near Harun then says, "Don’t bring them back, eat them alive." As we observe Genocide Prevention Month, these words remind us of mass atrocities that all share major, tragic anniversaries this month — from the Holocaust to the tragedies in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. And while Harun is sending in troops to kill indiscriminately, Sudanese President al-Bashir continues to carry out an equally deadly assault — cutting off humanitarian aid to the region, leaving the lives of half a million people at risk. After months of continually bombing fields and preventing villagers from planting crops, Bashir’s forces created a dire food shortage in the region — predicted to reach near-famine levels this month. The rainy season starts next month — leaving the roads all but impassable and delivery of aid will become more difficult or even impossible. This isn’t the first time Harun and Bashir have done this. Both were indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in Darfur where the world didn’t react until it was too late. We cannot let history repeat itself — the need for action is now. The best way to commemorate the tragic genocides of the past is to prevent another one from occurring. Join us this critical month by lobbying congress and building greater awareness in your community of the tragedy that is unfolding in Sudan. Support the Sudan Peace, Security and Accountability Act. This bi-partisan legislation demands strong U.S. action to address the urgent and growing humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people. Here’s how you can get involved: Sign and Deliver the Petition Urge your congressperson to co-sponsor the Sudan Peace, Security and Accountability Act, ask your friends and family to sign and join activists across the country on April 27 to deliver petitions to your Representative. We have tens of thousands of petitions to deliver. Can you help us get these signatures to your member of congress? Sign up and we’ll help you deliver the signatures. Community Phone Drive Organize a call-in day on April 27 in support of the Sudan Peace, Security and Accountability Act. It’s easy and free with our toll-free number, 1-800-GENOCIDE. Click here to read our easy how-to guide. The staff at United to End Genocide are ready to help. Contact Gbolahan at glawal@endgenocide.org, Rebecca at rdennis@endgenocide.org or visit our website for more information. Join us in honoring Genocide Prevention Month and the pledge that nations and leaders took after the Holocaust, saying “Never Again” — stand with the people of Sudan to stop Ahmed Harun and Sudanese President al-Bashir. Sudan’s direct military attacks and use of starvation as a weapon of war against its own people must be brought to an immediate end. Sincerely, Bama Athreya Executive Director United to End Genocide P.S. Donate to United to End Genocide. Your gift today will help us build a stronger, more powerful movement committed to protecting victims of mass atrocities and genocide.
		ABOUT UNITED TO END GENOCIDE We are United to End Genocide, the largest activist organization in America dedicated to preventing and ending genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. We are faith leaders, students, artists, investors and genocide survivors, and all those who believe we must fulfill the promise the world made following the Holocaust — "Never Again!"

A new flag raised: South Sudan celebrates birth before world leaders as thousands celebrate 9JUL11

GOD BLESS these people, and I hope and pray real peace comes to the region soon, and that this new country develop a society, government and economy that respects the human rights of all it's citizens and is democratic, transparent and works for the benefit of all.

JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudan raised the flag of its new nation for the first time Saturday, as thousands of South Sudanese citizens and dozens of international dignitaries swarmed the new country capital of Juba to celebrate the country’s birth.
South Sudan became the world’s newest country Saturday with a raucous street party at midnight. At a packed midday ceremony, the speaker of parliament read a proclamation of independence as the flag of Sudan was lowered and the flag of South Sudan was raised, sparking wild cheers from a crowd tens of thousands strong.
“Hallelujah!” one resident yelled, as other onlookers wiped away tears.
The U.S. and Britain announced their recognition of South Sudan as a sovereign nation. President Barack Obama said the day was a reminder that “after the darkness of war, the light of a new dawn is possible.”
“A proud flag flies over Juba and the map of the world has been redrawn,” Obama said in a statement. “These symbols speak to the blood that has been spilled, the tears that have been shed, the ballots that have been cast, and the hopes that have been realized by so many millions of people.”
The noon-hour ceremony hosted by Salva Kiir, who was sworn in as South Sudan’s president, took place under a blazing hot sun. Sudan President Omar al-Bashir, a deeply unpopular man in Juba, arrived to a mixture of boos and surprised murmurs.
“Wow, this is a great day for me because it’s a day that reflects the suffering that all southerners have had for almost 50 years,” said David Aleu, a 24-year-old medical student.
Thousands of South Sudan residents thronged the celebration area, and organizers soon learned they did not have enough seats for all the visiting heads of state and other VIPs. The heat was strong enough that Red Cross workers attended to many people who fainted.
Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and the American envoy at Saturday’s celebration, urged South Sudan residents and leaders to build a country worthy of the sacrifice of all the lives lost during the five decades of conflict.
“Independence was not a gift you were given. Independence is a prize you have won,” she said. “Yet even on this day of jubilee we remain mindful of the challenges that await us. No true friend would offer false comfort. The path ahead will be steep... but the Republic of South Sudan is being born amid great hopes.”
The black African tribes of South Sudan and the mainly Arab north battled two civil wars over more than five decades, and some 2 million died in the latest war, from 1983-2005. It culminated in a 2005 peace deal that led to Saturday’s independence declaration.
Thousands of South Sudanese poured into the ceremonial arena when gates opened. Traditional dancers drummed in the streets as residents waved tiny flags. Activists from the western Sudan region of Darfur, which has suffered heavy violence the past decades, held up a sign that said “Bashir is wanted dead or alive.” Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pointedly noted in his speech that Sudan and South Sudan have not yet resolved all of their political issues. The status of the contentious border region of Abyei — where northern and southern troops are standing off — remains in flux. South Kordofan, which is a part of the north but which has many southern supporters, has seen heavy fighting in recent weeks.
“Let their differences be resolved around the negotiating table,” Ban said.
South Sudan is expected to become the 193rd country recognized by the United Nations next week and the 54th U.N. member state in Africa.
Though Saturday is a day of celebration, residents of South Sudan must soon face many challenges. Their country is oil-rich but is one of the poorest and least-developed on Earth. Unresolved problems between the south and its former foe to the north could mean new conflict along the new international border, advocates and diplomats warn.
Violence has broken out in the contested border region of Abyei in recent weeks, and fighting is ongoing in Southern Kordofan, a state that lies in Sudan — not South Sudan — but which has many residents loyal to the south. The 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) north-south border is disputed in five areas, several of which are being illegally occupied by either northern or southern troops.
Obama said that South Sudan and Sudan must recognize that they will be more secure and prosperous if they move beyond past differences peacefully. He said the 2005 peace deal — the Comprehensive Peace Agreement — must be full implemented and the status of Abyei resolved.
The young government faces the huge challenge of reforming its bloated and often predatory army, diversifying its oil-based economy, and deciding how political power will be distributed among the dozens of ethnic and military factions. It must also begin delivering basic needs such as education, health services, water and electricity to its more than 8 million citizens.
While South Sudan is now expected to control of more than 75 percent of what was Sudan’s daily oil production, it has no refineries and southern oil must flow through the north’s pipelines to reach market.
But for Saturday, at least, those problems lay on the back burner. Smiles, singing and dancing instead took precedence.
Adut Monica Joseph waited for the ceremony with her sister and uncle as world leaders arrived. She said she looked forward to a day when women in South Sudan don’t face the hardships they have in recent decades. The risk to the mother of death during child birth is extremely high in the poor and underdeveloped rural south.
“I’m very grateful to see many people from other countries,” said the 22-year-old. “I’m appreciating that they have come to celebrate with us. I hope when we have independence we shall have freedom and education for women.”
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Associated Press writer Jason Straziuso in Kenya, Nairobi contributed to this report.