What Southern Sudan means for Darfur 20JAN11

ENCOURAGING news from South Sudan, it is amazing what these people have gone through for freedom and democracy. Americans should learn a lesson from these people who have laid their lives on the line in their struggle for a democratic country the next time we have elections.....DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT! Unfortunately the people of Darfur can't share the same hopes and dreams as reported  below......

I have encouraging news from South Sudan, and I have troubling news from Darfur. Let’s start with the South: After more than 20 years of civil war and six years of intense preparation, the people of South Sudan have finally voted in a referendum to determine their own destiny. Voting ended on Saturday and according to election monitors from the European Union, the UN referendum panel, Carter Center and other observer missions, the referendum process was peaceful, free and fair. President Obama praised the referendum process, declaring: “The past week has given the world renewed faith in the prospect of a peaceful, prosperous future for all of the Sudanese people -- a future that the American people long to see in Sudan.” This moment didn’t happen by accident. It took years of hard work and cooperation among national governments, NGOs, civil society groups, and support from activists just like you. One monumental event set the process in motion: In 2005, the Government of Sudan and SPLM signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), creating the framework for this historic vote. It demonstrates how important a peace agreement is to allowing people to determine their own destiny. We haven’t crossed the finish line yet. While we celebrate the success of the referendum, we must remember that there are many more steps to reach a lasting peace. The official results are not expected until February 7th at the earliest, and all accounts indicate the vote was overwhelmingly for independence for South Sudan. Then we begin five long months of negotiations on critical post-referendum issues between the North and South including oil-revenue sharing, border demarcation, citizenship, and the status of the contested Abyei region. July 9th is the soonest South Sudan could declare independence. Now, let’s talk about what’s happening in Darfur. While the world has focused on South Sudan, the situation in Darfur has continued to deteriorate. According to a recent UN report the conflict in Darfur claimed at least 2,300 lives in 2010. In addition, over 40,000 civilians were displaced in the last few weeks of December by government aerial attacks on villages and clashes between rebel groups and the Sudanese armed forces. We believe – we know – that the violence in Darfur can be stopped, once and for all. The success of the referendum in South Sudan demonstrates what is possible when there is a comprehensive peace process and just how far the people of Darfur are from being able to live and work without fear of violence. This victory for peace reinforces our call for a comprehensive peace process in Darfur. There is a real danger that the media, United States Government and international community will lose focus in the weeks and months ahead. During this critical time, we need your help to keep the spotlight on Sudan. Thank you for your continued activism and support. The conclusion of a peaceful referendum in South Sudan is a moment to celebrate, but it’s also a stark reminder of all the work we have to do before the people of Darfur are able to live in peace. Best, Mark Lotwis Save Darfur Coalition

The Save Darfur Coalition — an alliance of more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations — raises public awareness about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to promote peace throughout the Darfur region and all of Sudan. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Sudan. Please join the movement at http://www.savedarfur.org.

Today is historic for Sudan -- but it's just the beginning from THE SAVE DARFUR COALITION 9JAN11

FROM SAVE DARFUR AND SPOTLIGHT ON SUDAN, an update on the first day of voting in South Sudan and links to keep informed on the progress for peace in Darfur and South Sudan.

Shine a Spotlight on Sudan Share this important Sudan update with your friends & family. Click here Referendum voting starts today, but we can’t turn our backs now. Help us to be vigilant and cast a spotlight on South Sudan, Darfur and the rest of the country over the coming months. Share this update today. Today is the first day of voting in the referendum which will determine the destiny of millions of Southern Sudanese. Voters will cast ballots from today through January 15. And it will take weeks to gather all the ballots from remote areas – only then will the results be announced. The period between voting and the announcement of results could be a volatile and potentially explosive period. Expectations of independence are so high that any delays or complications could spark widespread violence. We can't turn our backs after the vote. We need your help to shine a spotlight on Sudan. Get the important facts on the situation, and then spread the word today. Official observers expect an overwhelming vote for independence, but we may not know the final outcome until early February. You and I know the media doesn’t have the best attention span for these important moments around the world. Will the world stay tuned for several weeks while the votes of Southern Sudanese are counted? When innocent families are most vulnerable to sudden violence, will we have our backs turned? We can't let that happen – we need your help to keep the world's attention focused on Sudan. Click here to spread the word about what is happening in South Sudan and Darfur. The danger for the Sudanese people is a prolonged period in which the international media and world leaders are no longer paying attention. Look no further than Darfur, where last month 32,000 Darfuri civilians were displaced by violence. While the world focused on the referendum in Southern Sudan, the Darfur peace process fell apart – with the government of Sudan pulling out, and all three of the major Darfur rebel groups refusing to participate. This is exactly why we need your help. Keep the spotlight on Sudan. Together, we can make sure the world continues to pay attention, and the United States government continues its high level engagement on Sudan. As we welcome a peaceful start to the referendum in Sudan, we have to make sure Darfur is not forgotten. We have worked too hard to let up now. Thank you for all you do. Sincerely, Martha Bixby Save Darfur Coalition

The Save Darfur Coalition — an alliance of more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations — raises public awareness about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to promote peace throughout the Darfur region and all of Sudan. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Sudan. Please join the movement at http://www.savedarfur.org.

WHAT'S AT STAKE ON 9 JAN 11 from SAVE DARFUR COALITION

FROM the Save Darfur Coalition, a reminder of what is at stake if we do not force the government of Sudan and all the political and military factions in Sudan, South Sudan and Darfur to honor the agreements for a peaceful referendum on the status of these areas. The prc (communist china), driven by their greed for Sudanese oil, must end their interference in the politics of Sudan and must end their supplying of weapons to the oppressive Sudanese government in Khatoum and their murderous allies. The U.N., the African Union, the E.U., the Arab League and the U.S. must take real action, backed up by political and economic actions, with election observers and adequately trained and equipped peacekeepers in country to guarantee free and fair and PEACEFUL elections and the implementation of the election results. The world can not, MUST NOT, turn it's back on the people of Sudan, South Sudan and Darfur.

Do you know what’s at stake on January 9th? South Sudan votes on whether or not to secede from Sudan. If the results of the referendum aren’t credible, violence could erupt. It’s a “ticking time bomb,” said the U.S. Secretary of State. The former Director of National Intelligence said it’s where new mass killing or genocide is most likely to occur. Did you receive this email forwarded from a friend or family member? Get involved, and help prevent a new wave of violence in Sudan. Click here to sign up. Dear Craig, What’s it like to live through a brutal, 20-year war? Simon Deng doesn’t like to talk about it, but he will. “I speak about it because I know what it is like to be a victim. I was there. I know what it means to be in a place where you are a refugee, to be in a place where your house is burned down. To be in a place where your family is slaughtered in front of your own eyes, where your relatives are raped in front of your own eyes. It is the same person who has been victimizing me in the south who is victimizing innocent people in Darfur. We are in the same boat.” Simon Deng was abducted as a child and forced into slavery for more than three years, during which time he was repeatedly tortured, beaten, threatened – and eventually escaped. Today, Simon lives in the United States and tells his story, because he knows America can do more to prevent another civil war in Sudan. “The problem in Sudan is not a Sudanese problem; it is a human problem. I am asking my fellow citizens and people of conscience to not be silent when we have the means to say something and stop something.” Simon is absolutely right. We have the means to help stop something horrible from happening, and the clock is ticking. American leadership and global support for a free and fair referendum in South Sudan can help prevent a new wave of violence – a new civil war. “I am troubled by the lack of full implementation, and by the roadblocks and delays consistently put forward by the Khartoum regime.” Simon is concerned that preparations for the referendum are behind schedule. Ballots have not been printed. Staff have not been trained. We’re also behind schedule. To prevent another outburst of violence, the United States must convince the regime in Khartoum, ruled by wanted war criminal Omar al-Bashir, to stop stalling and start seriously preparing for the vote. Our government must demand that all parties in Sudan allow unimpeded access for peace keepers, humanitarian aid organizations, and robust human rights monitoring throughout the country. The United States must also demand that other nations – like China and Russia – respect the outcome of the referendum. Southerners have warned of violence if a credible vote does not take place on time. The former Director of National Intelligence called Southern Sudan the place where a new mass killing or genocide is most likely to occur. Secretary of State Clinton has called the situation in Sudan a “ticking time bomb.” We can help to prevent a war, but people must know about it. When was the last time you discussed the situation in Sudan? Do your friends know what’s at stake on January 9, 2011? Forward this email to your friends and family. Now is the time to hear directly from people affected by the violence in Sudan. That’s why I shared Simon’s story with you, and why you should share it with your friends and family. Spread the word on Facebook or Twitter, and forward this email to as many people as you can. Thank you for everything you do, Martha Bixby Save Darfur Coalition PS – Did you receive this email forwarded from a friend or family member? Get involved, and help prevent a potential new wave of violence in Sudan. Click here to sign up.

The Save Darfur Coalition — an alliance of more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations — raises public awareness about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to promote peace throughout the Darfur region and all of Sudan. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Sudan. Please join the movement at http://www.savedarfur.org.