Malong’s guests–two representatives of the Swiss-based human-rights group Christian Solidarity International (CSI), along with five “antiterror consultants” from Archangel Corp., a Colorado-based security firm–don’t believe he should fight alone. The burly military advisers once served with the most elite units in the world–U.S. Special Forces, Russian Spetsnaz, British SAS. For two hours, over a meal of goat and flatbread, they share tactical information with Malong. John Giduck, the president of Archangel Corp., claims his security group worked with Malong “for the betterment of his troops and the protection of his people.”
Since the Sudanese civil war began, more than 50 nongovernmental organizations–most working under a U.N. umbrella–have provided aid services to victims on both sides of the conflict. CSI, along with the U.S.-based groups Voice of the Martyrs and Samaritan’s Purse (run by Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham), are among a handful of Christian groups that have taken sides in the dispute. They work exclusively in southern Sudan–and provide not only humanitarian aid but also political and sometimes logistical support for the southern rebels.
The agenda of some Christian aid groups in Sudan is crucial now because, after a year of talks pushed along by the Bush administration, the Khartoum government and the SPLM are, in fact, edging toward a settlement. It would give broad autonomy to the animist and Christian south but keep the Muslim government in power. That prospect appalls the Christian groups, who decry Khartoum’s human-rights violations and oppose any pact that leaves the current government in place. Even during the peace talks, they’ve lobbied the U.S. government to provide military aid and weaponry to the SPLM. Their bellicose stance worries peace advocates, including many in the NGO and religious communities. “Any further investment in a military solution is counterproductive,” argues the Right Rev. Frank Griswold, the presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church. “It will only serve to undermine a credible peace process and further extend the suffering of the southern Sudanese people.” Some 2 million people have been killed in the civil war since it began.
George W. Bush told the U.S. Congress last April that “both sides have made significant progress [toward] a just and comprehensive peace.” That’s not the way John Eibner, CSI’s director of human rights, sees the talks. He recently criticized the administration’s policy of “appeasement” of Khartoum, adding: “The United States will rue the day it imposes a paper peace agreement on Sudan with a terrorist, genocidal regime as its cornerstone.”
Since 1997, CSI has given financial and materiel support to the SPLM and Malong. The group has provided transportation to SPLM officials, and has, according to two sources, purchased a satellite phone for the warlord. Eibner acknowledges that CSI has a satellite phone “in the field.” The group admittedly has also helped to save lives in the conflict. While U.N.-sponsored NGOs have obeyed periodic Khartoum-mandated bans on aid flights to southern Sudan, several Christian organizations have gotten supplies to “no-go” areas.
CSI denies providing military support to the SPLM. While CSI, by some estimates, has reportedly passed more than $3 million in cash to the SPLM, Eibner claims the money is given to “civilian” officials to “redeem” slaves. That was also the stated purpose of Archangel Corp.’s visit. Asked whether it was wrong for a humanitarian group to give money to the SPLM, Eibner replied: “I don’t have any problem with that.” According to Human Rights Watch, the SPLM, like Khartoum, has committed numerous human-rights violations.
A catalyst for the prospective peace accord, which could be signed soon, was the Sudan Peace Act. Signed into U.S. law last September, it condemns the government for genocide and calls for $100 million in humanitarian assistance annually for three years to areas under SPLM control. Rep. Tom Tancredo, the act’s principal author, recently met with Eibner to discuss what he calls “Sudan Peace Act II.” It would hold Khartoum accountable for any violations of a peace deal.
