Sudan (MNN) ― Not all countries think harsher sanctions will work toward resolving Darfur's troubles.
According to published reports, Egypt, like most of Arab nations, opposed the move. They believe sanctions will likely complicate efforts toward peace, disagreeing with the notion that sanctions are effective measures to bring a rogue state back into line.
The unchecked Darfur crisis has spawned a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. Compassion Radio's Norm Nelson says they're working through the Sudan Council of Churches and through local pastors based in Khartoum. "We are reaching out to those who have been displaced by the terrible attacks that have been going on in Darfur and are living in United Nations' refugee camps."
Sudan's leadership approved a U.N. support force of 3,000 troops into the country--the second phase of U.N. peacekeeping efforts in Darfur. But on the reluctance of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to stop attacks by the Janjaweed, steps toward corrective measures began.
On May 25, the United Nations Security Council approved plans for the third phase--the deployment of 22,000 U.N. and African Union peace-keepers. Assets were frozen to three key Sudanese, along with those of 31 companies.
In the meantime, the humanitarian plea grows louder. Aid worker evacuations have become more frequent, restricting the massive humanitarian response in a region where nearly four million people are now dependent on aid agencies for essential services such as food, water and health care. Humanitarian agencies in eastern Chad are also finding it increasingly difficult to operate.
However, there are still indigenous agencies who are working amongst crippling conditions to be the hands and feet of Christ. Aside from humanitarian assistance, Nelson says the partnerships allow their teams to tell the real story of what's going on behind the scenes of the crisis.
As a result of their work there, "not only do we have the joy of helping these people who are in dire straits, but also a church has been planted. In fact, members of the African Union military force, which is there to keep the peace, have actually come to faith in Christ as a result."
Compassion Radio is part of a series of planned reconciliation conferences this summer in the three refugee centers of Darfur - Nyala, El Fasher, and El Geniena. Compassion Radio listeners and partners are urged to pray that these "grass roots" conferences will contribute to a breakthrough. Click here if you can help.
