Sudr3-00

Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

Visit to Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Sudan
focusing on slavery, and ethnic cleansing & oil exploitation.

March 9-19, 2000

I. Objectives

To investigate further slavery, ethnic cleansing and other human rights violations;
To redeem slaves whose destitute families have not the means to do so;
To deliver emergency consignments of food and medicines;
To show concern for and express solidarity with victims of oppression regardless of creed or color, and to promote the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

II. Personnel

John Eibner, Gunnar Wiebalck, Jane Roy and Glen Pearson of CSI, accompanied by:

Dr. Hamouda Fathelrahman, Sudan Human Rights Organization (Cairo); Dr. Justin Yaac Arop, Nairobi Representative of the SPLA/M; Arthur Akuein Chol, former Executive Secretary of the SRRA; Peter Ring of the Catholic Diocese of El Obeid; and independent journalists, including Bona Malwal of the Sudan Democratic Gazette, Barry Came of Maclean's and George Garang of SPLM/A Update.

III. Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the CSI visit through many expressions of kindness and generosity. Without the support of caring donors, especially those working through the various CSI national branches, the S.T.O.P. Campaign of American school children, and the American Anti-Slavery Group, this visit would not have been possible.…

IV. Main Findings

A. Recent Slave Raids

CSI warned the international community last January of the Government of Sudan’s plans for launching a new series of slave raids in northern Bahr El Ghazal during the current dry season:

"Encouraged by tangible signs of increasing international support for the National Islamic Front regime, especially from Islamic states, Canada and the European Union, Sudan's President, Lt. Gen. Omer Bashir, announced on 26 January 2000 that his Government "is determined to continue with the jihad (holy war) and raise the banner of Islam", and made an appeal to "proceed to the training camps and join the ranks of the jihad". (AFP, Khartoum, 26 January, 2000) Pro-Khartoum militia officials announced on the same day that "their training camps are ready to receive the 'mujahadeen' (holy warriors) who would then head to the war zones". (AFP, Khartoum, 26 January, 2000.) Credible intelligence obtained from Arab and Dinka sources on this trip, together with reliable reports from northern Sudan, confirm that the Khartoum regime is planning and mobilizing for a major dry season offensive in northern Bahr El Ghazal to complement the devastating offensive already underway in Upper Nile." (CSI Visit to Sudan, January 24-29, 2000)

Alarmed by these signs of the government of Sudan's intentions, CSI renewed its urgent appeals to the UN Secretary-General and members of the Security Council to prevent further death, destruction and enslavement - a "crime against humanity" according to international law, to prohibit, through a Security Council Resolution, the Government of Sudan from further violating the UN-brokered cease-fire and to establish adequate mechanisms for cease-fire monitoring. We also appealed to the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Commission to condemn the Government of Sudan in the strongest possible terms for having committed acts of genocide and other crimes against humanity, including not merely abducting but enslaving, its own citizens. These warnings went unheeded. The consequence has been that the Government of Sudan has been emboldened to launch fresh slave raids and commit with impunity further crimes against humanity.

Less than two months after our warning and appeal for action, the Government of Sudan violated yet again the current UN-brokered "cease-fire" by launching its first major slave raid of the year 2000. According to the Civil Commissioner of Awiel East Country, Victor Anei Akok, on Monday 21 February, the Popular Defense Force (PDF) enslaved an estimated 300 Dinka women and children, killed 16 civilians, stole livestock and torched dwellings in an attack on 11 villages (Peryom, Nintok, Marial, Areu, Malek, Gak, Lang Awei, Malual Dit, Rutrol, Rutgiel and Marol) in Aweil East and Twic Counties, in northern Bahr El Ghazal. The captured slaves were driven northwards to Government-controlled territory. This slave raid began at 2:00 pm, when a force of about 1,500 PDF troops on horseback fanned out to attack villages about 100 miles west of the Sudanese army garrison and Canadian (Talisman) oil installations at Bentiu. The PDF attackers fled northwards towards the Bahr El Arab River later that afternoon upon the arrival of units from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Four PDF soldiers and six belonging to the SPLA were killed in the fighting, according to the SPLA’s regional Commander, Dau Aturjong. Among the civilian casualties was the Sub-Chief of Peryom, Athian Athian.

After our arrival in northern Bahr El Ghazal, the PDF launched another series of slave raids. According to Major Ring Mawien Nyikuoc, SPLA Operation Commander, on 8 March, two PDF units, each numbering approximately 1,300 raiders on horseback and on foot, left their garrison at Atiat outside the northern town of Meiram. At 8:00 on 10 March, one unit, made up of 700 Misiriah, uniformed soldiers on foot and another 300 on horseback, attacked Malith. A small SPLA unit arrived at Malith after the raid began. The fighting lasted 1 1/2 hours before the SPLA was overwhelmed and forced to withdraw. Most of the village was destroy by fire. The SPLA lost eight men. The PDF lost nine men and eight horses. 70 women and children were enslaved by the PDF at Malith. The PDF then moved southward and attacked Rup Deir, where they were repulsed later that day by SPLA reinforcements. About 50 people were enslaved at Rup Deir. The PDF retreated, together with their slaves and other booty, to their garrison at Grinty, on the north side of the River Kiir. A captured girl who escaped reported that the PDF had killed seven other girls on the way to the North. CSI visit the charred remains of Malith two days after the raid.

The second PDF unit was made up of members of the Riziqat tribe. They moved down the Khartoum-Wau railway line to the Government garrison at Mabior. Then they moved westwards and attacked Majok Kuom, Malou, Mayom Mayen, Maper Aguer, Lueth Lual, Kajiik, Rupkat and Maker in Aweil West County. 68 women and children were reportedly enslaved by the PDF at Majok Kuom, while according to Chief Diing Reec Diing, 231 were enslaved in the remaining villages, which are all in his chieftainship of Atok Thou. We were taken by Chief Diing to see the destruction at Malou and to speak to survivors.

Chief Diing Reec Diing: The PDF came to Mabior station garrison on 11 March. One of my people came out of Mabior and told me of the plans to attack. I told people to evacuate the village and I informed the SPLA. The PDF came and attacked the village. They came to raid cows, women and children. The SPLA came to our defense, and there was an engagement. It is not a good hiding place here, so the PDF succeeded in killing and capturing many people. We couldn't take all the bodies to their homes, because they were decomposing. so we buried them here. There were altogether 231 enslaved from Malou and the other villages in my chieftainship. 18 civilians were killed. My sub-chiefs provided this information. They will soon give me figures for stolen livestock. Grain stores are special targets for burning. The owner of this hut (pointing to burnt remains of a home), Chan Diing Chan, was killed here.

We spoke to a resident of Malou, Deng Agany Agany, who barely escaped with his life: When we heard guns, I began to run. They shot at me. I hid. I saw so many horses. I kept running for three hours. The next morning I came back. The attack happened at around 7:00 on the 11th. I saw many houses set on fire. My cows and goats and sheep have been taken. I have three wives with six children: Abuk Deng Dut (wife) - Garang (5 years), Achol (7 years); Nyibol Akol Deng (wife) - Thiep (2 years); Lang Aguer Bol (wife) - Achol (8 years), Lual (6 years), Bol (1 year). I lost my children, wives and property. There is no hope. I would like Europe and America to help us with food and to stop the raids so that we can live in peace. His surviving 4th wife, Abuk Aleu Aleu added: I hid, but I could see people on horses wearing khaki uniforms. I saw them shooting. Each horse had two men on it. I saw fire. There was shouting in Arabic and whooping sounds of victory.

The residents of Malou showed us two freshly dug graves containing the remains of seven civilians who were killed by the PDF. Grave 1: Mawien Kuol Mawien - old man over 60; Akol Mou Mou - 25-year-old woman; Adior Deng Mawien - four-year-old daughter of Akol Mou

Mou; and Guot Deng Akol - 12 year-old boy. Grave 2: Deng Deng Akol - 13-year-old boy; Abuk Garang Lual - 11-year-old girl; and Bol Chan Garang - 8-year-old boy.

From Malou, we crossed the River Lol with Chief Diing and witnessed the destruction at Wun Adot village. Wun Adot was attack by the PDF, but no one from the village was enslaved. A local farmer Yuel Deng Aguir described what he saw: The Arabs came at mid-day. I saw them on horses. They were carrying guns and wore camouflage uniforms. They were shouting "Allah Akbar" and other things that I could not understand. I ran away. Everyone ran for their lives. There was shooting. They got off their horses and chased and shot those who were fleeing. I witnessed nine people shot dead at one place. I knew them all. Their names are: Deng Ayai Bol, Akot Mawien Dut, Ken Agany Lueth, Abuk Kuany Malek, Adior Malek Mou (girl), Kuot Agany Mou, Garang Wol Chan, Ayuel Deng Angony and Akuol Athian Dit.. One woman was shot in the leg and fell. The soldiers then shot the baby dead. I don't remember her name, but she was the wife of Pioth Agany. (The woman was taken to Nyamlell hospital.) I ran southwest to the bank of the river. When I got there, I couldn't run any more and fell down on the ground and stayed there. I witnessed the PDF crossing the river. All of my own family are safe, but all of our livestock was stolen, and two of our grain stores were burnt. Our dwelling was not torched. I sifted through all the remains of the granary and found only a tiny quantity that had not been burnt to a crisp.

Commissioner Victor Akok Anei of Aweil East County: The PDF are now assembling at the bridge over the River Kiir between Meiram and Maker. The Arab traders evacuated Warawar yesterday, 9 March. They expect a PDF attack. A PDF camp on the River Kiir was recently destroyed by the SPLA, now they are planning revenge. The Murahaleen have been forced northwards. They can no longer graze in safety at the River Kiir. Now they have to water their animals at bore holes and pay the Government for the water. Most of the Murahaleen have left Meiram town, because they fear an SPLA attack. We expect them to come later with the regular army. The traders are now in Mangar Tong. The GOS keeps Aweil town completely closed. This has been the case since September. They have done this for military reasons. We expect that the GOS troops will come out of Aweil when the troops come from the North. We expect that they will come again for war. Then when they are thoroughly defeated, they will come for peace. The GOS will exploit the Baggara's need for water. Most Baggara chiefs have an interest in peace, but they are under great pressure from the Government.

These slave raids marked the first serious violation of the current UN-brokered cease-fire in northern Bahr El Ghazal this year. The raids took place on the eve of the most recent round of IGAD peace talks in Nairobi, and only one week after the Canadian Government aligned itself with the policy of the European Union by announcing a policy of ‘constructive engagement’ with the NIF regime in Khartoum, including placing a ban on the use of the term "slavery" in the official statements of the Government of Canada. The raid also coincided with the UN Special Rapporteur, Dr. Leonardo Franco's most recent visit to Sudan for the purpose of continuing his investigations into slavery and other human rights violations. To date, no protest against these deadly, dehumanizing raids or against the enslavement of these women and children has been forthcoming from the UN, Canada or member states of the European Union - notwithstanding the fact that slavery is recognized in international law as a "crime against humanity".

B. Slave Cases.

On this visit 4,968 slaves were redeemed by CSI in cooperation with Arab retrievers and the Dinka community leaders in Aweil East, Aweil West and Twic Counties. Among those returning slaves whom we selected at random for longer interviews were:

1. Ayak Thiep Dau - 22-year-old mother from Wakabil: I was enslaved four years ago. The raiders came to Wakabil when the train came through the area. I was still asleep when they arrived. As soon as I awoke and heard what was going on, I started to run. I saw a lot of soldiers all around me. Some wore khaki uniforms, while others wore white jellabeyas. I could see that those who ran were shot dead. I stopped and stood still. Some of the soldiers came and beat me with bamboo sticks and other things. The whole time I screamed and cried. They tied my hands to a long rope. There were about 20 people tied with me. We were pulled along by one of the soldiers. There were other people whose hands were not tied to a rope. They had to carry looted goods. We had to walk like this until we reached a place to spend the night. That night one of the soldiers raped me. His name is Ishmael Abakir. He was one of those who caught me. It was the first time I had ever had sexual relations. The same man did this to me every night on the way to the North. It took us five days to walk to the River Kiir (Bahr El Arab River). On the way many children died of starvation, and the soldiers killed many other people, especially those who tried to escape or who created some disturbance. They executed people by shooting them or beating them to death. From the River Kiir, we had to walk to Abu Karenga. Ishmael Abakir took me to his home. He was a shopkeeper. I was his only slave. I stayed in his home. I did housework for his wives, Alima and Zara. They called me Howah, and sent me to Koranic school to learn to be a Muslim. Ishmael's father was the fekki (teacher). The school was called Fekki Ahmeed's Khalwa (Koranic school). It was next to the big mosque in the village. They told me that I would be circumcised so that I would be a complete Muslim woman, but I was taken away from there before it happened. I was never baptized, but I am a Christian. Before I was captured, I went to the Protestant Church in Wakabil. The people in Ishmael's home were not kind. I had to work, but they never gave me money. They also called me names, like "heartless one" (sub-human). Sometimes, Ishmael's brother, Suleiman, would come by the house when no one was there and rape me. He was very rough with me. That is how I got pregnant and gave birth to Hussein. I didn't complain to Ishmael. There was nothing that I could do to stop this. All I could do was pray that I would be able to get away from there and go back home. (je,)

2. Aluet Akuoc Wieu – 33-year-old mother from Malek Alel: I was enslaved three years ago, at the beginning of the rainy season. I was preparing food for the children when the soldiers came. When I heard the first gun shots, I started to run away. But I couldn't get away. The ones who caught me wore jellabeyas. Another man in a uniform came and wanted them to let the women go. But they didn't obey. They made me carry a can of looted oil on my head and the carcass of a goat in my arms. At night, we stopped walking. They made a pen in the forest. I had to stay there, together with a lot of other people. It was a very bad night. five men raped me. Two wore uniforms, and the other three wore jellabeyas. I was then three months pregnant. That night I had a miscarriage. This kind of gang rape happened for five nights in a row. This happened to the other women too. Three of my friends from Malek Alel were killed by their attackers. They were taken to the same part of the forest as I was by about ten men. I heard their terrible screams. The men came back, but we never saw the women again. Their names are Acol Deng Bol, Abuk Garang Bol, and Awut Garang Kuc. This kind of thing didn't happen only at night. One afternoon, just before crossing the River Kiir, I was raped in broad daylight. A soldier wearing a jellabeya and white trousers did it. At first I refused his advances. Then he beat me with a big stick, and knocked out two of my teeth. I had to submit. These sorts of things happened frequently until we reached a place north of the River Kiir called Grinty. From Grinty, we were forced to walk to Gos. On the way, we were divided into two groups. One was made up of women, girls and very young children. The other was made up of men and boys. At Gos, we were distributed among the Arabs. I was given to a man called Abdullai. He was not one of the raiders. At first, I stayed with him at his home in Gos. My job was to grind sorghum for Abdullai's wife, Nyangok. I did this from morning to night. I stayed in Gos only a few days. Abdullai took me by car to his other home in Babanusa. Abdullai was a shopkeeper. He also cultivated. I never went to his shop. I lived in Abdullai's house. He had a lot of slaves that worked in his fields and cattle camps. I had to work for Abdullai and Nyangok without pay. They gave me only left-over food and some old clothes. They sometimes called me bad names, like "jengei" (nigger). But I was lucky. They didn't treat me too badly, because Nyangok's mother was a Dinka and she lived with Abdullai and Nyangok. The mother told Nyangok to be kind to me. The whole time I was there, Abdullai never tried to have sexual relations with me. Nyangok spoke only a few words of Dinka, so her mother translated things for me. I left them with an Arab called Osman. He spoke with Abdullai, and they reached an agreement. Osman brought me back here. On the way, I had a wonderful surprise. I found my son (Magak Rual Akol) and my nephew (Magak Rual Akol) in the group that Osman led. I am very happy with Osman for bringing me back and discovering the boys. I have been back for nine days. I hope that I will find the rest of my family. I do not know what has happened to them. My husband was away from home when the soldiers came. I also have two girls who were not taken away by the soldiers. (je)

3. Manut Atem Amet - teenage boy from Malek Alel: I was captured in the same raid as my aunt (Aluet Akuoc Wieu), and my cousin (Magak Rual Akol). Magak and I were looking after cattle. I had just sent Magak to bring back two calves when the PDF surrounded us. They took us to Gos. We were given to Abdelrahim Mekki. He lived in Gos. We had to work at his cattle camp. Once I lost one of his big bulls. He was very angry with me. He said that if I didn't bring the bull back, he would cut off my arm. I didn't know where the bull was and couldn't bring it back. Because I failed, Abdelrahim's brother tied me down and chopped off my arm with a machete. (je)

4. Nhomacot Mawien Yaac - 18-year-old mother from Alal village, north of Akoc: I was enslaved four years ago. I was still a girl when I was captured. They caught me early in the morning. I was sleeping when they came. All of the sudden, I heard shooting and ran outside. As soon as I got outside, I saw my two brothers shot dead. Their name are Deng Mawien Yaac and Yaac Mawien Yaac. I carried on running. Everyone was crying and screaming. There were a lot of soldiers. Some wore uniforms, and some wore jellabeyas. They caught me together with a lot of other women and girls. The soldiers beat all of us with sticks. They made me carry looted household goods on my head and back. At night, they put us in a zariba (pen made of thorn branches), together with donkeys and horses. They tied our hands together at night. The soldiers selected women and girls to rape. They chose me. The first night four young men raped me. Three of them wore uniforms and one wore a jellabeya. It was the first time I had had sexual intercourse. It was so painful. I felt so sick. One came immediately after the other had finished. After that I couldn't walk properly. But I had to keep walking, otherwise they would have killed me. I know they killed three women on the way. I knew one of them personally: Abuk Deng Kuot. Her husband had been killed in the raid, and she resisted attempts to rape her. She said she would rather die than be raped by the people who killed her husband. They beat her to death. We were taken to Dabub, east of Abyei. That is where they divided us. Nimirei Abdullah became my master. He lived at Dabub. He had a cattle camp, and kept donkeys and camels. During the dry season, we moved around with the cattle. During the rainy season, we stayed in the village. Nimirei had one wife and one child. He also had three brothers. I was the only girl slave. They had three other boy slaves. Their names are Mawien, Majok and Chol. I wasn't allowed to get to know them. They had to stay in the cattle camp. My job was to wash clothes, clean the kitchen, sweep the compound and collect firewood and water. They called me Abuk. They didn't try to make me a Muslim woman. I had to sleep outside in the goat pen. Nimirei is the father of my baby (18-month old Achol Theak Bol). Sometimes when I went out to get firewood, he would follow me and rape me. He did it far from home so that his wife would not know. Her name is Mariam. After I got pregnant, Mariam became very rough and quarrelsome. She called me "slave", and complained about me to Nimirei. She said that I did bad things, so that he would beat me. When he did this, he would just grab whatever he could lay his hands on and hit me. The worst part about being a slave was being beaten. They did this even when I worked well and hard. They never gave me money. Slaves never get money. It was especially hard for me during the rainy season, because I had to sleep outside. I got away from there with Khalil. He talked to Nimirei and brought me back. He was kind. The three boys were left behind. I never want to go back there (je).

5. Nyanut Ngor Mayar - 26-year-old mother from Ameth village: I was in my hut when the raiders came. Some small children ran to tell me that they were coming. I went out, and saw men in uniform. They started shooting. I saw men shot dead. I immediately stood still and surrendered. They took all the captives to one place, and brought their loot there. I had to carry some of the stolen grain on my head and over my shoulders, while one of my hands was tied to a long rope. A lot of other people were also tied to the rope. At night, they made a zariba, and put us inside. Later, they came and took the women outside for sex. Three men raped me on the first night. Every night along the way, men raped us. It took us seven days before we reached Hamsakiin. We were all very hungry. If someone was too tired to walk further, they would shoot them. This happened to many people. Whenever they did this, they would say: "This will happen to you if you stop walking". My master was Abdullai Mohammed. He had many slaves. He gave me to one of his male slaves called Deng Madut. He is the father of my baby (Biar Madut). Abdullai called me Khadija. He had my genitals cut so that I would be a clean Muslim woman. I do not know where any of my other children are. They were all captured when I was. They were given to different masters. Since I have been back, I have heard that some of my relatives are around. I will now go to find them. (je)

6. Akol Akol Tong - 15-year-old boy from Khejiik village: I was captured during the dry season of 1997. I had taken some cattle to drink at the River Lol. On the way back, I saw people running. I started to run with them, but they caught me. The horses were in two parallel lines. Some veered to the right. Others to the left. They wore white jellabeyas. There were many soldiers. My cousins, Mayen Ayai Deng and Garang Akol Tong were caught with me. I saw the soldiers shoot three men dead. There was a lot of shooting. The soldiers shouted "Allah Akbar". They got very excited when they got the cattle. They had already tied five girls to horses. I don't know who they were. I cried and cried. They beat me to make me stop. They used a horse whip and sticks. They threatened to shoot me unless I was quiet. Two friends and the five girls were tied together and pulled by the horse. They beat me whenever I stumbled and fell. They threatened to kill us if we were too slow. We walked like this to Safar. It took us four days to get there. We had to hurry. After Safar, we were no longer tied. All the boys were tied to trees at night. the PDF then divided the women and girls and slept with them. I heard lots of crying "help!, help!" from where they had taken them in the bush. In the morning the women were brought back and tied up again. Two men had their hands tied behind their backs. They were brought in front of us. They were blindfolded and had their throats cut. From Sara we went to Gumalya. We were distributed among the soldiers. I taken by Ibrahim Mohamed. He lived outside of Gumalya. The exact place was Abu Hamad. It was a three hour walk form Gumalya. I helped with cultivation, and looked after goats and cows. He beat me whenever an animal was lost. Ibrahim wanted me to go to Koranic school, but I refused to cooperate. I spent two days there, and would not go back anymore. Ibrahim called me Mohammed, and tried to teach me to be a Muslim, but I resisted. My Christian name is Albino.. He would threaten to kill me if I didn't obey. I was not allowed to speak Dinka. I used to meet some other slave boys in cattle camps and spoke Dinka with them. Ibrahim had two other slaves: Deng Garang Bol and Chol Lual Deng. They remained behind. The master called me "hump-back" His wife used to call me "jengei", and when they were angry they would call me slave. I slept outside with the cattle. I was given a plastic sheet during the rainy season. In the morning, I would be beaten with a stick by Ibrahim to wake me up. I have been back for eight days. Abakir often came to talk with Ibrahim. Abakir took me away to a small camp. He treated me well. We walked at night. During the day, we had to hide. Abakir told us not to talk. He gave us peanuts and water on the way. I think Ibrahim let me go, and kept the others because he didn't like me. The other boys agreed to go to the Koranic school and obeyed him. They are still with him. One of my cousins also came back in this group. Ibrahim said I was lazy. I am very happy to be back. I saw my mother yesterday. (je)

7. Awok Deng Kuac is a 35-year-old mother with a year-old baby in her arms. She is from the village Majok Kum near the village of Nyamlell. Her ears have been cut off; she shows visible scars on her forehead and scars from stab wounds in her side and back. She was taken in raid 3-4 years ago: The raiders came from the bush. They were on horseback and so we couldn’t run to get away. I ran to protect my children. I could hear them yelling at me. They hit me with a machete and they stabbed me many times in my body. They hit me on the head repeatedly. They left me on the ground to die. My children that were taken are: Kwil Awir Ayir, boy age 12, Ayak Awir Ayir, girl age 8 and the 5 ½ year old twins, Ayir Awir Ayir and Nagor Awir Ayir. I did what I could to follow the group back to the north. I tried to heal my wounds with leaves and bark. I could stop the bleeding for just a while. When I saw the group with my children, I tried to join it, but the soldiers kept pushing me away. They thought I was going to die. But I followed, arriving in the north many days after my children had arrived. My children had been given to two different masters. I tried to join my children. I wanted to be a slave with them. But the masters thought I was going to die so they wouldn’t let me stay. I was still bleeding. Some other Dinka women who were slaves gave me food and helped me to heal my wounds. It took about 6 months but finally I was healthy enough to be a slave. I became the slave of another master but at least I was near my children. Two of my children I have just found out have been brought back by CSI, and two of my children are still in the north. The twins Ayir and Nagor are here in the south but I have not seen them yet. Kwil and Ayak are still slaves in the north. The baby that I have is the baby of my master. (jr)

8. Malith Jal Jal – 15-year-old boy from Mangargar: I was captured 2 years ago. They found me with our cattle. I saw men in Khaki uniforms on horse and on foot coming but they caught me. My friend Hal Akuie Weel was caught as well. The name of the man that caught me was Abrahim. They hit us with bamboo sticks. We marched for many days, they gave us very little to eat. Only the children got something, the adults did not get any food. We went to Aweil first. We spent 5 days in Aweil. They tied our hands and at night they tied our legs so we wouldn’t run away. They told us if we tried to run away that they would kill us. We then traveled by train for four days. There were many soldiers on the train. They kept us separate so I did not see what happened to anyone else. They gave us food only after two days and only a very little. We got off at Babanusa where Ibrahim took me home to look after his cattle. I did not stay there very long. When Ibrahim gave me to Abdullah, I was beaten very badly because I asked why I was being given away. I saw Hal Akuie Weel again as he was with Abdullah as well. We went to Magedam village. Abdullah was in a khaki uniform as well as Ibrahim. Hal and I were to look after his cattle. We looked after his cattle for two years. If we lost one of the herd he would beat us and call us names. I wanted to escape but there was no way to as we were guarded and told we would be killed if we tried. We were given leftovers to eat but we were not allowed to ask for more. An Arab in a jellabeya brought me back here. He never told me who he was or where he was bringing me. I do not know where my father is now but I will try to find him. I am very happy to be going home. (jr)

9. Abok Gel Kur – 11-year-old boy from Ajak: I was taken last year while I was looking after cattle. They found me while I was sitting under a tree. Men in khaki uniforms told me to get up and come with them. I don’t know who it was that caught me because there was a group of many. They tied our hands and we had to walk for 15 days. We walked at night. We were given no water and no food. I was given the job of looking after the goats of Mohammed Bashir. He had many slaves. Too many to know. I was beaten every time a goat got lost, even if was only for a short time. I was beaten often. One time Mohammed beat me for no reason. He said I was a worthless slave and not worth taking care of. I do not know what I had done. I had not spoken to him or asked him for anything. I had not even lost a goat. I was very scared of him. I thought he was going to kill me. I tried not to cry, but after a while he left me alone. The Arab trader Ahmed came and took me from Mohammed. He got me so that I could go to another cattle camp. But he gave me to another Arab. I do not know his name. We came here 6 days ago to wait. I am glad that I did not have to stay in that place. It was a year but it was too long. I have just learned that I can go home. I did not know until the man in the hat said so. I am very happy to come here. I have not seen my father yet but I have seen my uncle today. The first thing I will do when I get home is to run and hug my father. The uncle, Bak Makuie Deng lived close by the site of the redemption and had heard that there were going to be people set free on that day. He came because he was curious to see if any of his family members would be there. (jr)

10. Ajok Kon Bak is a young woman, 18-19 years old, from the village of Riang Angui: I was captured when I was a girl of 11 years old. They surrounded the whole village. They were in jellabeyas and khaki uniforms. Most were in khaki uniforms. I saw many people killed. They shot them while they were trying to run away. I saw my teenage brother get shot and killed. His name was Kon Kon Bak. They took all the goats and cattle they could find. Mohammed caught me while I was running away. He was on a horse. He told me to stop running or he would kill me. There was nowhere to go. He was in front of me, so I stopped. He beat me up anyway. We marched as a group tied together up to the north. We walked for ten days. Kwal Bol was with us. They mistreated us on the way, they never gave us very much food. The first night I was attacked by Mohammed. He forced himself on me and raped me. I was so scared I tried to cry out but no sound came. It happened to most of the women. From then on every night I was raped by a different man. We would walk all day and then be forced to be used at night. It was the worst time of my life. We then reached a village called Abumies. Mohammed sold me to another master. I was sold to Abdullah for 100,000 Sudanese pounds. I had to wash clothes, fetch firewood, cook and clean. I was beaten if I did anything wrong. It wasn’t always Abdullah that beat me. It was his wives as well. He had four wives. One wife was good among the four. She stole food and gave it to me when no one was looking. She was always very nice to me. She pretended to be cross at times when the other wives were around, but she never beat me and always told me that she had to pretend not to like me. Abdullah would sometimes want to sleep with me. The first time I tried to stop him, but it didn’t do anything as he went ahead anyway. I was very young. It was very hurtful in my heart that he did this but then I never said anything. I did not want to get in trouble. The child that I have with me is the son of another Dinka boy in the compound. His name is Deng Kual Bor. Abdullah had many slaves. Abdullah thought the child was his so he did nothing to me. He never knew it was not his. Then a trader came and gave Abdullah some money. He said that he was looking for women to cook for the Dinka slaves at the cattle camp. I went with him. I did not know what was going to happen. But when I saw you I was not afraid. I will now go and find my parents. They will be very happy to have me back. (jr)

11. Ayak Afer Acien - a young mother, 20 years old, from the village of Rumrol. With her are her two children Aluet Mawien Deng, 4 years old, and Ruj Mawien Deng, 1 ½ years old: I was taken into slavery last year. The men came on horseback and on foot. They caught me at home with my children. My husband ran away. He was very scared. I did not see them kill him so I hope he got away. The men were in khaki uniforms. They tied my hands together, but I could still carry my little one. They made us all walk together. We marched for ten days up to the north. We were mistreated. We were given no food, no sleep and we were beaten. I was given to the man who caught me. I went with him, with my children. We were mistreated. This time we were given a little food but it was not enough for us. I tried to give some of my food to my children. I picked up all the little pieces I could find. We had to sleep on the ground and we were not given anything. No clothes, no containers for water, nothing. When the retriever came I was very happy. He brought me and my children to this place. I will now go and prepare a shelter for us and try to find my family. (jr)

12. Agouk Aguer Deng is a young woman, 20 years old, from Warayen village: I was taken into slavery four years ago. The Arabs came in the morning. They were in green uniforms and they were on horses, having guns. Many of my family and many in the village were still sleeping. I was with my mother and father. They tied the hands of my mother and my father. They were yelling at us. I was with my younger sister and brother. They shot my father right in front of us. They shot him when my uncle came over to see what was happening to us. They shot my uncle (my father’s younger brother) in front of us as well. I was crying. I ran to my father and cried over him and they hit me because of it. They hit me on the head with an axe. (Scar visible by right ear.) They took my brother and sister on camels, and they took many goats and cattle. There were about 20 people in our group. We walked for ten days away from any main roads. I walked with my mother. They treated us brutally. (Showed scars on shoulders and back.) When we reached the north I was given to Sadig Nagar in the village of Jaf Hassin. I do not know what happened to my mother or to my brother and sister. I had to sleep on the floor of a stable. They gave me nothing to sleep on. My clothes are worthless but they did not give me any new ones. I had to cook and clean, get water and firewood. They did not give me much to eat, but the worst was when Sadig would visit me when I slept. I am glad I did not get pregnant. I thought that I might, but God was watching over me. The other thing I hated was the names that they called me. The worst was "jengei" (nigger). It made me feel so small. I am glad to be back home now, and I will try to find my mother. I hope that she has come home too. If not I will wait for her and I will try to find her. I will try to find my brother and sister too. I hope they are still alive. (jr)

13. Anok Mayen Ayon is a 22-year-old mother from the village of Makuie Deng Munywer: I was taken 8 years ago. They found us in the morning with the whole family. I was outside while the rest of the family was around the fire. I saw the Arabs coming and so I tried to run back and warn everyone. I was surrounded however by many Arabs in khaki uniforms. They had guns and were on horses. I saw them kill my father with my own eyes. He was coming out of the tukul (traditional grass hut) but they hit him when he came out with a bamboo stick. He fell and didn’t move. Someone shot him while he was on the ground. They killed a lot of men from my village. My uncle and family were put into a tukul and the soldiers burned it. It was my uncle, his wife and their three children. They tied my hands and we stood among the goats and sheep of my uncle. We marched to the north with 30 women and children. They beat me if I did anything wrong. They tied us all in a line, women and children and one man was at the front pulling us along. If someone fell, they were beaten. They gave us a little food, but it was not much. I was very hungry and I cried a lot because of my father and my uncle. In the north, I had four different masters and I lived in many villages. The child that I have is the child of another Dinka slave. We would sneak together many times when our master wasn’t looking. The child is 2 years old and his name is Nyiro Manut Deng. (jr)

14. Aguet Yak Awiel is a 35-year-old mother. With her is her child Abuk Malik Akok, 1 year old, and her mother Acuar Yel Bol, 55-60 years old. They are from the village of Luith Ayonk: My husband had gone to bring the calves and get them to the well for water when the Arabs came. They surprised us. I never saw my husband again. I heard the Arabs coming and went running after my husband. My mother was left in the tukul at home. I was caught. When they brought me to the well, I could see that men from the village as well as boys with their goats were at the well. I could not see my husband. The Arabs had surrounded the well before anyone knew what was happening and had told every one to sit down. They burned down our house and brought my mother to the well. There were may Arabs in uniforms with guns and on horses. I could hear the shots being fired all around when they came. There were six people lying dead on the ground. They were my cousins. Another 3 were shot right in front of the well. The brother of my husband was killed when he went after one cow, another man was killed when he refused to hand over his cows, and another boy tried to run away with the goats and was shot. When the sun was at noon, at its highest they kept us there in the sun. Another two men were bleeding, but I didn’t see what had happened to them. They were tied together and left in the sun to die. They marched us north for 12 days. There were 43 women and children. All the men had either escaped or had been killed. I tried to take care of my mother. Nothing of that time is good. They gave us nothing to eat. The only thing we ate was wild tree gum that we found. They would torture us and tell us they would kill us if we did not do everything they said. At night they would come and visit us. They told us to make fences for the livestock and when we would say that we were hungry they would beat us. They tied us together. (Showed scars where she was tied.) They gave one woman 15 kilos of wheat to pound, but they didn’t give us any from it, only the chaff. And that chaff was to feed all of us. When we got to the north, we were given to different masters. I went with Ahmed. I did not see where my mother went. My master was very mean to me. He had many slaves. He beat us whenever we did anything wrong. We were not allowed to rest if we felt sick. The child that I have now is fathered by the son of Ahmed. His name was Mohammed. I was glad when I came back here. My mother was taken away on the same day and after the trip up north I never saw her again until now. We are so very happy to go home together. Our relatives are scattered and we do not know where they are, but we will find them together. The mother was returned to the south by the same retriever and they were redeemed together. (jr)

15. Akol Yel Yel - boy from Mayen Wunliam: I was taken seven years ago by the PDF. My father Yel Yel Akon was beaten and finally shot dead. My mother Abuk Garang Yel was beaten and fell to the floor, unable to move. She most probably died. My brother Garang and my sisters Abuk and Ajol disappeared. I was captured by Mohammed Ali and later sold in the north to Ephraim Hamed. I was instructed in Koranic lessons in Ephraim's home in Guora (Daien district) by Ephraim's son Isham Mohammed. Ephraim had 15 other slaves. I was beaten frequently and given too little food. Ephraim's sons even put sand in my food. I was beaten seriously if cow went astray. I had to sleep in cow stable. One day Musa, one of Ephraim's brothers, hit a child named Aluel (Ephraim called her Lima Adam), the daughter of a slave Aluel Diing Diing (Ephraim called her Howah). He hit her with a sword above the eye because she had cried when her mother was beaten by Musa. She lost that eye. This child and her mother are still with Ephraim. (gw)

16. Aluel Aleu Mayen - 35-year-old mother from Wakabil: I arrived 11 days ago. I was with my master Mohammed Ephraim in Karega for six years. The attackers came early one morning, on horses. My husband Akok Akok Aken was killed. My two children Malwal and Ahok are still enslaved near Karega. I had to do heavy housework, pound grain, fetch water and prepare food. Mohammed has 30 slaves. A young Dinka girl Anguec Ker Kuol was raped by 10 men one night, and died the next morning. Her body was taken away by horse. I was raped by Mohammed and other men as well. It was a condition for receiving food. I had a miscarriage last year because of repeated rapes. I can't have children any more. I still suffer a lot of pain. Some slave girls were circumcised. We worked very hard, but only received remnants of food. I never in my life expected to come back. It is a miracle. All I want now are my children. (gw)

17. Akuach Malong Yor - 17-year-old mother from Malith Alek with four month old baby Tigani Mohammed (from her Arab master of the same name): I was captured at the beginning of 1999. Both my parents were taken as well as my two brothers and three sisters. I don't know whether they are still alive. My hands were tied. I was raped by another man on the way and later by Tigani. People who were slow to walk were beaten and some were killed by beatings on their neck or being shot. On the first day of the march three children died because of lack of water. We had to build our own fence after some days to prevent us from fleeing. Thorn bushes were used. Many were beaten to death because they worked too slowly. (gw)

18. Amin Madit Aguong - 65-year-old grandmother: I was captured in Malith Alek in 1997. My husband Lual Hou Lual was killed by raiders with sticks. My son Hou Lual Hou tried to run away but was shot and killed. My daughter Atong Lual Hou was later taken and has never been seen since. My daughter-in-law Achuei Athian Deng had three children, one of whom died of natural causes before the raid. Akot Hou Lual died of thirst on the way. Adut, three-years-old now but a baby at the time of the raid, survived. Achuei then had another baby Lual Hou Lual (two-years-old) from a Dinka in the north. Amin and Achuei both ended up with the same master, Mohammed Alakeb, in Barakak. (gw)

19 Abuk Deng Mayen - 24-year-old mother from Ameth village with girl Adac Manut Deng (three years old). Abuk walks with a limp: I was taken 3 years ago. Adac was two months old then. My husband Manut Deng Apat was killed during the raid. Our other child Mathiang (three-years-old) died of exhaustion and lack of water on the way north. I carried him the last day, but after he died I finally had to drop the body and was not able to bury him. We were led to Meiram, it took five to six days. Many people died during the walk, many had suffered injuries during the raid and died because of blood loss. Some were shot on the way, for example Deng Bol Chol. Women and men carried goods. I was raped after arrival in Meiram by Mahmud, one of the raiders. Mahmud had two other slaves, a boy Deng Aken and a girl Madiing Bol. They are still with him. The retriever Khalil organized my release. I am eight months pregnant with a child from Mahmud. I limp because the raiders beat me with a stick on the way north to make me walk faster and damaged my right thigh. (Her leg is badly scarred). My master's wife Sarah reported to Mahmud that I was lazy. For that I was beaten. I was called Abuk. My daughter Adac cried when I went to work and was beaten. I had to pound grain and look after cattle. I was always hungry. I am happy to be here, but I have no friends or relatives. (gw)

20. Nyadeng Ayei Malek - 16-year-old mother with baby Deng (two-years-old) from Warcam: I was enslaved in 1996. I went together with my mother Nyanut. My father Ayei Malek Deng was tied to tree and had his throat slit. On the way north one of the raiders cut off my finger with a knife when I resisted rape. (Her index finger is missing.) (gw)

21. Mayan Mou Athem - 19-year-old young man from Nyamlell: I was enslaved in l997. My mother Awut Manyang Kuot was enslaved as well, but we were separated during the march north. My father, Mou Athem Wol, disappeared as well. Only my younger brother, Rec, was with me. Rec had to look after cattle on the march north. He was beaten for not herding the cattle well enough. He was tied down and beaten with a stick. We were separated. I spent almost two months in a camp near Daien. There were 50 others, fenced in by a corral of thorns. We slept in the open. I know of no name for the camp. I was then marched with 20 others (boys, girls and women) to a place called Gimailaya near Khartoum. We walked for more than 10 days. There I was beaten and asked to confess that I was a soldier. I was tied down from early morning until evening on one day (huge scar on arm). I was accused of being an SPLA soldier (he was not, he was a cattle keeper). Other Dinkas helped with the interrogation, they helped the Arabs. I was put into prison afterwards. I was not given any dressing for the wound. I spent 11 days in prison (an earth hole). I was freed from prison by Abaker, and walked back with many others, though I feared I would not survive. I arrived here four days ago. I have not met any relative since my arrival. I do not want to join the army. I have not met anyone from my village. I am afraid of being taken again. If I die here, it is still better than going back, because I will die in my motherland. (gw)

22. Abuk Malek Kur - a mother from 'small' Nyamlell: I was enslaved three years ago. My husband's name is Garang Deng Chan. He ran away with two of our three children, the boys Dumo and Maduok. I heard that he is still alive. I was forced to march north with my boy Chol. He was about 10 years old at time of our abduction. I was beaten when I stopped to remove a thorn from my foot. I witnessed the killing of approximately 30 people who did nothing more than just look around. Some were tied by the hands, grass was piled on top of them and they were burned. Others were tied and their throats were cut. I was in Gimailaya, too. I saw Mayan (see previous interview) there. I spent many months in a thorn corral. I had to cultivate on farms, pound grain and collect water and firewood. I had to work naked. I got this dress and my shoes from Abaker. Abaker gave Mayam (see previous interview) an injection for his arm wound. Abaker brought me back. He is a good man. (gw)

C. Ethnic Cleansing of Nuers from the Bentiu Oil Fields.

The Government of Sudan, with assistance from China, Malaysia and Canada, is currently ethnically cleansing the indigenous Nuer population from around the oil installations around Bentiu, in Upper Nile province. This month, the most senior leaders of the Sudan Council of Churches (Government-controlled areas) and the New Sudan Council of Churches (SPLA-controlled areas) issued a bold and urgent appeal to the international community to take immediate action to stop the "ongoing genocide", especially in the areas of oil exploitation. We reproduce below the full text of their appeal.

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Statement of the Sudanese Churches on the Oil Factor in the Conflict in the Sudan

"The Sudanese Churches believe that the oil found in the southern Sudan (Bentiu, Pariang, Melut, Jonglei etc) is a national resource that should be used to develop all the people of the Sudan. Since it started the exploitation of the oil last year 1999, the government of the Sudan has however not used the revenues from the oil for the development of the people of Sudan and in particular those in the oil areas who throughout history were neglected in terms of equitable allocation of the national resources. Instead, the oil revenues have been used for the purchase of military necessities and weapons used for killing and displacing people in these oil areas. The government’s military capacity is strengthened with these revenues and it seems that the government has assumed that it can end the conflict militarily.
"Further, the government is using the roads and airstrips of the multi-national oil companies engaged in the production of oil in the Sudan, for military purposes, carrying out aerial bombardment on civilian targets (Hospitals, Schools, markets, Churches etc) in the southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile.
"In the past the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) has issued a statement with its partners calling for establishment of a Trust Fund to receive the oil revenues for the Sudan government. It was proposed that these revenues be apportioned fairly in accordance with an agreement to be developed by the IGAD. Such an arrangement has proven unworkable.
"As the Shepherds of the population in the Sudan and eye witnesses to the on-going genocide in the above mentioned areas, we call upon peace-loving people and the international community to take immediate actions to STOP the on-going genocide in the Sudan. This includes the withdrawal of the oil companies helping the government of Sudan to confidently pursue the war and a call for No-fly zone for military aircraft over the southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and South Blue Nile, which should be monitored. This is to reinforce our call for the same through FECCLAHA forum in Limuru (Kenya) on the 23^rd of March 2000."

Signed in Geneva on 12 April 2000 by:
Rev. David Demey                                     Rev. John Okumu
Chairman                                                   Chairman
Sudan Council of Churches (SCC)             New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC)
Rev. Enock Tombe Stephen                      Rev. Dr. Haruun L Ruun
General Secretary                                     Executive Secretary
SCC                                                         NSCC

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Thousands of the displaced Nuer from Upper Nile have found refuge among their Dinka neighbors in the area around Maper, Twic County. Dr. Hamouda Fathelrahman, Jane Roy and Barry Came visited Maper and spoke with some of the displaced;

Jongchol Dudi Mayar is a Nuer chief. He is in his mid-thirties. He came with most of his people to the displaced camp in Maper, just outside of Turalei over two years ago. Their village was close to the Heglig and Unity Oil Fields. He states that they were forced to leave the village two years ago due to an increase in PDF raiding, aerial bombing from GOS Antonovs and the appearance of helicopter gunships. He moved with most of the villagers at night to avoid the Government of Sudan troops. Now they wait in the traditional Dinka area of Bahr El Ghazal, being guarded for their protection by SPLA soldiers. They are allowed free movement within the province but find it difficult to get food for their people. A cattle-herding people, their cattle are free to roam within the area of the displaced camp - a refugee camp by any other name. More Nuers from neighboring villages have joined them in the past 4-5 months due to an even more intensive bombardment from GOS troops. Johgchol lays the blame for the continued and the recent intensification of the forced relocation clearly at the feet of the oil companies looking to develop the resources in the region. Why do the western oil companies work with the GOS and take our resources away from us? If they want to develop the fields that is fine, but we should be getting some of the benefit. My people live in the area, but instead they kick us out, and kill us for living there. Now we are a people without a home. I am thankful that the SPLA is fighting to protect us, but they have little to give us. I don’t think we can return home in the near future. (jr)

Achol, one of the Nuer that has lived in the displaced camp for the past two years, arrived back at Mapar one day before we arrived. He had gone back to the village to see if it was safe to return: I traveled for three days by foot, only walking at night when it was safe. My village was more than deserted, it no longer existed. There were soldiers all around but they didn’t catch me because they didn’t see me. I saw airships with guns still patrolling the area. When I saw that it still wasn’t safe I traveled the three days back to here. I will not take my family back until I know when it is safe. I do not know when that will be. I am not hopeful it will be soon because it already has been two years but I hope it will be someday. The people here are nice, they give us what they can, but they do not have much. I want to go home. I do not want to live here forever and die here. I should be able to live in my own home. (jr)

D. Other Displaced Persons.

While in Malwal Akon the CSI team visited the makeshift "Riang Aguer" camp for internally displaced persons. More than 4'000 people live there (about 2000 children, 1,500 women and 500 men). The camp was established in February 2000. There are eight such settlements in the area (Riang Aguer, two in Malwal Bai, two in Akuem, and three in Mangar Angui). At the moment the inhabitants survive largely on wild fruit. Most of the inhabitants are returnees from the North who had originally migrated northwards to escape starvation during the famines of 1988, 1992 and 1998. Life has become unbearable for them in the North. There has also been a fresh wave of arrivals from the villages that were recently attacked by PDF slave raiders, especially from Malith. The settlements also include some redeemed slaves who do not have a home to go to.

Malek Bul - originally from Riang Awai (60 km from Malwal Akon, north of Warawar), father of four children (Ayok, Marac, Athian, Garang), from his first wife Abuk Dhol Athian, and five children (Lual, Nyibol, Bul, Adhol, Ajak) from his second wife Abuk Dau Deng: My 22-year-old daughter, Ayok Malek, was taken as a wife by Mohammed Ephraim and is still in the North in the village of Nuot. He is the father of her two children. My sons Garang (10-years-old) and Marac (18-years-old) are still in the north. One of my two wives (Abuk) and our 5 children are still with the Arabs. I heard that security in the South had improved. I led 300 people back from the north and arrived 6 weeks ago. I went to Muglad in 1992 because of serious hunger and starvation. 60 came with me. I acted as executive chief in the north. Young people were not allowed to come back because the GOS didn't want them to join the SPLA. Many children were brainwashed to fight against their own people. I had to do many different jobs in order to get food and survive. While in Muglad I heard of the possibility to go to the displaced camp "Ras Holu", but I didn't want to go because I heard from friends that people are killed at random there. I know of CSI's work and about the retrievers. I would never go back to the North, even if I died here of hunger. I speak for many people here. The work of CSI is well known. We are most grateful for your work to bring back the children. Food is needed most, but also seeds and tools. On our way back we were attacked by the PDF. Six people died in the attack. (gw)

Ayen Wieu Kuch - mother and a victim of the 10 March 2000 raid who fled to Malwal Akon: I have four children, Garang, Gon, Mamer (three-years-old) and Ahok five-years-old). I was able to rescue Mamer and Ahok. My husband is Athian Thiel Mamer. There are other people from Malith here, too. This was the third raid on Malith. The first raid was five or six years ago. Then again one year later. I arrived here yesterday. I was only able to save my shoes. I live from wild fruit now. All the cattle were already taken away in a previous raid.(gw)

Anyar Mawien Anyar - 50-year-old father who arrived today from Rum Atok (near Malith): I came on ahead of my family anticipating food from Malwal Kon’s airstrip. Prior to the attack, the villagers heard that the enemy was coming. In Rum Dier I came across the bodies of Makuei Ring and Adel Yak, both villagers who had had their throats slashed. I ran with my two wives Awut Deng Wieu (with whom I have five boys: Mou, who is with his mother and will arrive later; Mawien, Arol and Garang who are in the army, and Kuot who was forced by hunger after the 1999 cultivation period to go north) and Abuk Anei Tong (by whom I have three children, Amou, Garang, Kuot, all of whom are with their mother as I came ahead to build a tukul. I also have a daughter-in-law, Nyawut Akot Garang. We heard gunfire, but didn't see attackers. Here in the camp there is no food, the women collect wild fruit. I have started to build a tukul. Water is from a well in Malwal Akon. I hope to have the skeleton of the tukul ready in two to three days, after that my wives will come and cut grass for thatch. (gw)

Ajok Ajok Anai reports what happened to his family: Because of the rumors of the PDF coming I left my village (the village of Malith) several days ago to come here, bring my herd, find food and prepare a place for my family to come. I never got a chance to go back and get them. The PDF came before I could get back. Now my wife is gone, and three of my children, two girls and a boy, are gone. My mother Akwal escaped with two of my children: Athiel is six years old and Abuk is four years old. Right now their grandmother Akwal has gone back to the village to look for my missing wife and children. I wanted to go but my mother said I was to stay and look after my family. (jr)

Athiel, the six-year-old described what happened:. They came on horseback. They were everywhere. Men in khaki colored uniforms. I saw two men on every horse. The one at the front would steer the horse. The one on the back would have the gun and do the shooting. There was screaming everywhere. My mother ran back to get my brother and sisters, but I saw her get caught by a man with a gun. My grandmother grabbed us and told us to run and not look back. So we ran with her as fast as we could. She carried Abuk but I ran. I do not know where my mother is now. My grandmother went to look for her. (jr)

Nyonnut Akot Aluk, a 24-year-old mother with her 1-year-old baby Dut Luot Achien, reported what she saw when the PDF attacked her village Riang Away, near the River Kiir: They came as they had been rumored to come. Soldiers on foot and horseback. They came 24 days ago. I ran, but they took my three children: a daughter Akuech, seven years old, and two sons: Atong, five years old and Deng, three years old. My children were playing in a field when the soldiers came. I could not get to them in time. All I could do was run with my baby and hope that they were able to escape. Other villagers told me they saw them captured. The soldiers burned everything. They burned our tukul. We lost everything. I saw four women killed and eight men of my village killed. There are 16 children missing from my village. My husband is also missing. I do not know where he is. I hope that he has gone to look for our children and was not killed. No one knows yet.

E. The Murder of Arab and Dinka Market Traders.

On March 9, the traders at Warawar market received information suggesting that the PDF planned to attack the market and asked to be evacuated. Cdr. Dau Atorjong organized the evacuation of the traders and their wares to Manger Tong. Twelve traders were reported to have been murdered there. The Commander gave us basic information about the tragic incident:

At about midnight on March 14-15, 1st Lt. Magwar Acueil Guot, together with about 15 of his men opened fire at Mangar Tong. According to preliminary accounts, they killed four Dinkas and eight Arabs. Amongst the dead was 1st Lt. Jonkor who was responsible for security at Mangar Tong. It is believed that the attack was motivated by revenge for the death of close relatives of Magwar Acueil Guot at the hands of Arab raiders.

V. Conclusions.

We present here our full set of conclusions, which are drawn from this and over 30 other CSI Sudan fact-finding visits since 1992:

1. The NIF regime is prosecuting a war of genocide within the context of what it calls a jihad as it strives to transform by force the ethnically and religiously diverse country into a totalitarian Islamist state, against the wishes of the vast majority of its population in both the North and the South. This jihad has had a devastating effect on the people of Sudan, especially on the religious and ethnic minorities of the South, the Nuba Mountains, the Southern Blue Nile and Kassala and Red Sea Provinces. In the southern war zone alone, over 1.9 million people, mainly Black African Christians and adherents of traditional tribal religions, have been killed and over 5 million have been forced to flee their homes out of a population of approximately 8 million people. NIF attacks on civilian targets, be they military assaults or the creation of famine conditions and the denial of humanitarian aid, are intended to uproot ethnic and religious communities which resist its totalitarian policies, including forced Arabization and Islamization. The death, destruction and displacement has been so massive that the NIF stands in blatant contravention of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. (The Convention defines an act of genocide as any act, such as killing members of a group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and forcibly transferring children of a group to another group, which is committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group).

2. The genocide process is fueled by Canadian, Chinese, Russian and Malaysian investments, and by the failure of the UN-system to punish the Government of Sudan for its war crimes.

3. While the principal victim communities are black African, the overwhelming majority of Northern Arab Muslims are also victimized by the NIF, which represents no more than 10% of the Northern population. Suspected leaders and grassroots activists of Sudan's banned pro-democracy movement are killed, imprisoned and tortured in the NIF's infamous prisons and 'ghost houses' (detention centers). Citizens who are not NIF activists or collaborators suffer discrimination in employment, education, housing and social services.

4. The NIF persecutes Christians and other religious minorities, relegating them in legal terms to the status of dhimmis ('protected' peoples who do not have equal rights with Muslims) or kafir (infidels who are entirely outside the law). The NIF also persecutes the legitimate religious leaders of Sudan's Muslim communities, such as the leaders of the Ansar and Khatmiyya communities.

5. The raids for slaves are undertaken mainly by militias, which are formed into PDF units, and by the regular army. They are accompanied by atrocities, such as murder, torture, rape, looting and the destruction of property. The main targets of these raids are the Dinka community of northern Bahr El Ghazal and the people of the Nuba Mts. The slave raids are just one of many instruments of war used by the NIF to uproot ethnic and religious communities which resist its totalitarian policies, including forced Islamization and Arabization.

6. The institution of chattel slavery continues on a large scale in NIF-controlled areas of Sudan, especially in southern Darfur and southern Kordofan. This institution is defined in international law as a "crime against humanity". The number of chattel slaves is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. The black African slaves, in most cases women and children, are forced to provide domestic and agricultural labor and to provide sexual services against their will for nothing other than the minimum of food for survival. They are generally given Arab names and are often forced to observe Muslim rituals. Many of the female slaves are subjected to ritual genital mutilation. The slaves can be bought and sold.

7. The institution of state slavery also continues on a large scale in NIF-controlled areas of Sudan. Those held in this kind of bondage are taken to concentration camps, which the NIF calls 'peace camps'. There the children are forced to attend militant Koranic schools where they receive indoctrination in the ideology of jihad and where the women are abused and sent out to work as unpaid day laborers in private homes or on farms. Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have been placed in such concentration camps. Women and children from the Nuba Mountains in southern Kordofan have suffered most from this kind of state enslavement. There is now evidence that the NIF is placing Dinkas captured in the Spring of this year in these camps.

8. The decision of the UN High Commission on Human Rights, the European Union and others in the international community to use the terms "abduction" and "abductees" instead of the terms "slavery" and "slaves", which have been correctly used by successive UN Special Rapporteurs, human rights organizations and Sudanese church bodies, encourages the NIF regime to continue its policy of enslaving with impunity its own citizens, and represents a major step backward in the campaign to abolish slavery in Sudan.

9. The Rizeiqat and Misiriya Arabs remain divided. Some continue to co-operate with the NIF and participate in its jihad. Others have been motivated by their traditional religious and political leaders, such as Sadiq and Mubarak El Mahdi of the Umma Party, to reject the NIF's call for jihad and to opt instead for peaceful relations and commercial agreements. After experiencing a series of setbacks in its relations with the Rizeiqat and Misiriya, the NIF has been able to regain the initiative both politically and militarily amongst these tribes. A great trial of strength between the NIF and the Umma Party in Darfur and Kordofan is now in progress.

10. The NIF's slave raiding in Bahr El Ghazal and the Nuba Mts. is complemented in other parts of Sudan, both North and South, by the capture of women and children by the armed forces of the NIF, and their placement in concentration camps, militant Koranic schools and PDF camps, where they are enslaved or subjected to slave-like practices.

11. CSI's slave redemption program remains the only means by which large numbers of slaves can be liberated and returned to their families. The Government of Sudan's Committee for the Eradication of Abduction of Women and Children (CEAWC – which is supported by UNICEF, the European Union and Canada - has so far proven to be ineffective and is dangerous to the well-being of slaves. Hundred of women and children have been kept in detention and shunted between El Obeid and the Government garrison town of Aweil, without ever being reunited with their families and neighbors. The United Nation's partnership with a regime that is responsible for the continuation of the slave trade in Sudan, renders UNICEF and other UN agencies incapable of locating, liberating and returning large numbers of Sudanese slaves to their homes in northern Bahr El Ghazal.

12. Western donor states pay hundreds of millions of dollars, year after year, which go into the black hole of humanitarian aid for the Sudanese war victims, while investing little or nothing to enable the victimized communities to defend themselves.

13. The NIF continues to refuse access to the UN and to NGOs to enter and deliver emergency aid to many areas controlled and administered by the country's pro-democracy movement and to the scene of current ethnic cleansing. Among the areas most severely affected by this policy are Eastern Upper Nile, the Nuba Mts., the southern Blue Nile, the areas around Juba, and Kassala and the Red Sea Provinces.

14. The international community has, as a rule, accepted the NIF's veto on emergency humanitarian relief work, and has failed to devise alternative strategies, thereby leaving hundreds of thousands of people bereft of vital relief. Furthermore, relief supplied by western governments and churches is made available to radical Islamic agencies that work together with the NIF, and is distributed by these agencies on condition of conversion to Islam. As a result, western donors assist unwittingly the NIF as it prosecutes its genocidal jihad.

15. Human rights violations have been committed by all parties to the Sudanese civil war. All such human rights violations must be condemned. There is, however, a gross asymmetry, both in quantity and quality, with the NIF as the principal and most systematic violator of human rights. In the absence of any intervention by the international community, the SPLA is the only force defending the black African communities of southern Sudan, the Nuba Mts. and the Blue Nile against the NIF's war of genocide.

16. The establishment by the SPLA/M in 1994 of a civil administration, its 1996 conference on Civil Society, and its 1997 Conference on Church-State Relations are positive indications of a serious commitment to the development of principles and policies for the promotion of peace and justice in a pluralistic society, at a time when the marginalized people of Sudan are still engaged in a desperate struggle for survival.

17. The international community's policy of 'constructive engagement' with the NIF, which is pursued with special vigor by the UN, the European Community and Canada, has hitherto failed to persuade the Khartoum regime to halt or diminish the intensity of its war of genocide, which includes man-made famine, slavery, scorched earth tactics, and killing civilians through air and ground assaults, and persecuting Christians, tribal traditionalists and Muslims who resist the imposition of the NIF's jihad . This policy, which includes political and financial rewards to the NIF regime, encourages it to violate UN-brokered cease-fires and fundamental human rights with impunity, and to obstruct the IGAD peace process.

VI. Recommendations.

Our policy recommendations include many that have been made in previous CSI reports. This set of recommendations has been amended to take into account new developments and new discoveries in the field.

The time is long overdue for the international community to take a firm stand against the NIF's policy of genocide, which involves not only destruction of life, but also of culture, language, community, religion and ethnic identity. This policy continues to create death and destruction on unimaginable proportions and to give rise to dangerous political instability in Sudan and throughout the region. CSI therefore calls on the international community, in particular the member states of the UN Security Council, to prevail upon the regime in Khartoum to cease hostilities against the people of Sudan, and to honor its voluntarily accepted human rights obligations to all its citizens, by implementing the following recommendations:

1. Build upon UN Security Council resolutions 1044, 1055 & 1070 by imposing sanctions of increasing severity, including, if necessary, arms and oil embargoes and air exclusion zones to destroy the NIF's capacity to continue its war of genocide and its ability to enslave its own people and to destabilize neighboring states.

2. Support the IGAD peace process, especially implementation of the Declaration of Principles calling for the right of self-determination, secular government and democracy as the only basis for a lasting peace in Sudan, and to encourage and assist the IGAD mediators and the warring parties as a matter of urgency to establish the modalities, including time limits, for the transfer of power to a representative, non-religious interim government and for the exercise of the principle of self-determination for the peoples of the war zone, in accordance with the accepted IGAD principles.

3. Recognize the de facto sovereignty of the SPLM, which administers territory, and provide security and services to the peoples of Southern Sudan, the Nuba Mts., the southern Blue Nile, and to the Beja Congress which does likewise in Kassala and Red Sea Provinces.

4. Support divestment campaigns against the Canadian oil firm Talisman and other western companies whose investments in Sudan help the Khartoum regime to finance its war of genocide.

5. Condemn in the strongest terms the regime in Khartoum at next meeting of the UN Human Rights Sub-Commission for its direct responsibility for slavery in Sudan, and to cease using the term "abduction" as a euphemism for "slavery", which is defined in international law as a crime against humanity.

6. Initiate proceedings, through the UN Security Council, against the leaders of the NIF and slave owners for gross violations of the 1945 Genocide Convention and for committing other war crimes.

7. Investigate credible reports of the NIF's possession of chemical weapons and its plans to use them, especially in Juba, as a weapon of last resort.

8. Establish an independent slave and abducted youth tracing scheme to locate and return slaves and other abducted children to their homes and families in SPLM/A controlled parts of Sudan.

9. Reject the NIF's veto on the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid to millions of desperately needy people, and establish and fund mechanisms outside the framework of the UN Operation Lifeline Sudan for the delivery of emergency aid to parts of the country that are designated by the NIF regime as prohibited areas.

10. Support grassroots initiatives of chiefs and other community leaders to promote the values and institutions of civil society, including peace and reconciliation initiatives in the borderlands between Northern and Southern Sudan where Arab Muslim and Black African Christian and traditional tribal communities coexist peacefully; and encourage in practical ways the SPLM and other banned movements and organizations throughout the country to continue the policy of empowering civil society.

John Eibner, Gunnar Wiebalck, Jane Roy & Glen Pearson
April 15, 2000