Sudan on the Brink

North Sudanese Aid Refugees in South Sudan Crisis
Khartoum Youth Oppose Recent Attacks on Abyei with Relief Initiative

KHARTOUM -- The "Youth Forum for Social Peace", a newly-formed network of youth organizations including Girifna ("fed up" in Arabic), will hold a fundraising concert in Khartoum this Saturday, June 11, to benefit the refugees from Abyei whose land was seized last month in air and ground attacks by Northern Sudanese Armed Forces.

The Northern Sudanese attack and occupation of the fertile, oil-producing border region, has caused a refugee crisis as the population of Abyei has fled into nearby Twic County in South Sudan. An estimated 15,000 Abyei refugees have flooded into Turalei, more than doubling the size of NBA legend Manute Bol's hometown, 70 miles from Abyei. As a result, Abyei refugees and Twic County residents are facing a severe food shortage.

"We cannot stand by while our brothers and sisters in South Sudan are driven from their land, and left with nothing to eat," says Rudwan Dawod, a senior member of Girifna who will accompany the "Reconciliation Convoy." Girifna, a non-violent, pro-democracy youth organization founded in Khartoum last year has been an outspoken critic of President Omar Al Bashir, currently under indictment by the International Criminal Court.

At a press conference in Khartoum on May 30, the "Youth Forum for Social Peace" apologized to Southern Sudanese for the current suffering caused by the Bashir government, and for the long history of Northerners being used against Southerners.

"We are determined to build a better future," says Dawod. "That is why we are not only taking relief, but also 15 volunteers will remain in Turalei to help complete and teach at the Manute Bol School. We want this to be just the beginning, and we pledge to help build all 41 schools of Manute's dream."

These young Sudanese Muslims, look to the late Manute Bol, a Southern Sudanese Christian, for inspiration. Manute, at 7'7" the tallest player in NBA history, worked tirelessly for free elections in the South and at the time of his death was beginning his initiative to build 41 schools that would welcome children regardless of tribe, whether Christian, Muslim or animist.

"Muslims are not my enemies, they are my brothers," Manute would say, despite having lost an estimated 250 family members in the war with the North. Manute would add, "the problem is the government in Khartoum."

Though the UN relief efforts have begun to provide food and other necessities to the affected areas, Twic County Commissioner Dominic Deng welcomes the additional aid to be brought by the Khartoum youth.

Sudan Sunrise (www.sudansunrise.org), the non-profit working to fulfill Manute's dream of schools, is actively seeking funding for the "Reconciliation Convoy" and Manute's school initiative.