The Sudanese government’s campaign against Darfuri civilians has claimed over 400 thousand lives and caused the displacement of 2.3 million, according to the Save Darfur organization website.
“That number may have grown significantly,” said President of the Darfur Association in the USA and dean of the Mass Communications department, Mahmoud Braima. “It’s a dire situation.”
An interview with Braima for news-writing class on the issue led junior mass communications major from Shreveport Jennifer Taylor to start a Darfur club on campus. The club held their invitational entitled “Black Genocide” last Wednesday night in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union Cotillion Ballroom.
“With us being African Americans, our roots are there and we should help,” said Taylor.
Raising awareness, fundraising and the eventual building of a well is the goal of the organization that will launch officially this upcoming fall with Braima as their advisor.
Bramia said that he was glad to be asked to be their advisor and proud for their hard work.
“I was so pleased to hear that the Southern University campus is taking the steps to tackle this problem,” said Braima.
During the invitational, the newly formed club, including senior mass communications major from Chicago, Jeff Daniels, showed videos explaining the genocide and had Braima speak about his experience in helping combat the situation in Darfur.
Braima who is a native of the country, spoke on how the Sudanese government was obstructing all kinds of intervention to help the natives of Darfur.
In his presentation, Braima revealed China’s major role in the conflict through their financial investment in the nation.
According to the Save Darfur website, China, who is currently being bashed by the media in relation to its numerous human rights violations in Tibet, has given the Sudanese government supplies and weaponry in exchange for oil in the region adding to the genocide.
The weapons used by the Sudanese government supported Janjaweed militias which have been the main tool used in the murder, rape and torture against the natives.
Also, China’s permanent seat on the United Nation’s Security Council gives them the power to block solutions by other countries in the organization.
Through the Darfur Association in the USA, Braima said he is working on a divestment campaign against China.
Pushing to ask the U.S. congress to enact laws to stop U.S. businesses from investing in Chinese companies that do business with Sudan is what he hopes to achieve with the campaign.
Next month, Braima said he will be protesting in San Francisco as the Olympic torch goes on its way to Beijing where the games will be held.
After Braima finished speaking, former president of the Student Government Association Niiobli Armah spoke to the crowd on togetherness and why students should participate in the cause.
“The European philosophy is to think individually, while the African thought is to think of others,” said Armah. “We need to support our brothers and sisters in Darfur.”
After the event, students were allowed to write their information on a sign-up sheet if they were interested in the joining the club for the fall semester.
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SU students join cause, start Darfur Club
April 7, 2008
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