To put forward the claim that the people of southern Sudan are simply targets of an Islamic jihad (holy war) is to put forward a half-truth. The issues fueling the conflict between Sudan’s Arab and African people groups date back to the 1950s when Sudan became an independent republic. The central issue is the Southerner’s desire for self-rule. A turning point in the conflict came during the late 1990s, when it was agreed by both sides to hold a referendum allowing the people of southern Sudan to determine whether or not they will be governed as part of a united Sudan or as an independent state.

To take an abolitionist stance while ignoring Sudan’s larger political context is bad foreign policy. The US cannot effect positive change on the one hand while sending forth an anti-Islam and anti-Arab message on the other. This further alienates the Arab nations from the US.

By Williamson’s own admission, the Touched By An Angel episode is a propaganda piece. What she does not understand is how it will do more harm than good.   Ironically, programs of “buying back slaves” have created a new market for slaves in Sudan. The more unscrupulous entrepreneurial types simply round up women and children from the villages and present them as “slaves” to be “bought back” by naive foreigners with cash.

While there are human rights abuses in Sudan--and have been for centuries—the real struggle facing the southern Sudanese people is not the slave trade. It is resolving inter-ethnic conflict and achieving self-determination. The best thing we can do with our dollars is to support Sudan’s peace efforts.

Learn more about Sudan’s grassroots peace movement and how you can help at southsudanfriends.org. You can also get more information about slavery in Sudan and the connection between Touched by an Angel and Sen. Sam Brownback's efforts to pass S. 1453.

Wal Duany
        Julia Duany
        Isabel Hogue