Slavery in Sudan - the Evil Lives

Slavery. Even the word dredges up bad feelings. It was made illegal in the United States in 1863, but even today it is a dark cloud over many in this country. So how is it that a practice so hated and reviled can go on in the world with out an outcry from the free world? That is a question many in the Sudan would love to have an answer to.

Sudan has long been embroiled in a civil war. The Islamic ruled northern part of the country has been warring with the Christian controlled southern part of the country. Because of the religious claims of the ruling parties, many in the world believe this is a religious war. In newspapers and on TV much is made about the Muslin versus Christian aspect of the war in Sudan. However, don't allow yourself to be fooled into believing this is a war solely over religious beliefs. It's not. The ruling Islamic party in the north managed less than 10% of the Muslim vote in the last elections. Although religion does play a part in it, more than anything else, this is a war over political power; a war about socially disadvantaged people being abused, and used for the gain of their captors.

From the lack of outcry from the United Nations and the international community, you might be tempted to believe the Sudanese governments claims that slavery does not exist in the Sudan, but it does. Although there are no public slave auctions or systematic branding of slaves, every year thousands of people in southern Sudan are kidnapped from their homes and forced into servitude in houses or on farms. Sudanese women and children are sexually exploited, and those men who are not forced into labor are conscripted into the military. Because the Sudanese government refuses to admit to the practice, there is no official count of people enslaved. There are documented cases of about 8,000 slaves, but it is estimated that the real count is over 40,000.

Raiding parties of northern government armed militias regularly attack villages in the northern part of the Bahr al-Ghazal region of southern Sudan, taking mainly Dinka people to force into servitude in the north.

The Sudanese position is that these people are not in slavery. Many are missing because they have been displaced or killed in the war, or that they are living in interment camps, but those who have visited the region say that is not the whole truth. While many have been killed and many more have been displaced, there are thousands currently living in slavery.

Unfortunately, slavery has become very profitable. It's been estimated that $35 can free one slave. However, once the person is freed, they can be recaptured, and resold. This is an added incentive to continue the practice.

Slavery is not the only crime against humanity that is occurring in Sudan. Since 1983 and estimated 1.5 million people have died, and at least 5 million people have been displaced.

The United Nations has ruled that slavery and genocide are illegal, and those found to be engaging in these practices will be charged and tried before the world court in The Hague. Despite this fact, the UN has not officially admitted that the practice is occurring in the Sudan, nor have any charges been filed. Eradication of slavery in Sudan was a cornerstone of President Bush's 2001 Sudan Peace Initiative, yet the practice still continues. No official voice in the international community has been raised in defense of the Sudanese people.

Contact your political leaders. Urge them to persuade the United Nations and other foreign leaders to bring pressure on those who continue to practice this heinous act. We are a land of freedom. With that comes great responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves.

Slavery in Sudan - http://www.sudanupdate.org/REPORTS/Slavery/slave.htm
Eradicating Slavery in Sudan - The Boston Globe - http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/02/22/eradicating_slavery_in_sudan/
Sudan, Genocide and Slavery - http://www.lnsart.com/Sudan%20Slave%20Story.htm