On Hunger Strike for South Sudan

Old IRD friend, South Sudanese activist and former slave, Simon Deng, wants President Obama to act quickly to stop the destruction of the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan.

Since December of 2013, conflict has been raging. It was instigated originally by a coup attempt against the government by the former Vice President of the country, but has been ongoing since then with plenty of blame on both (make that all) sides.

Peace talks and peace agreements have come to naught. Deng, who is from the Shilluk ethnic group but who is a United States citizen, living in the U.S. for many years believes that the only solution is for the President of the United States to take a stronger, more active role in pressuring the government of South Sudan and President Salva Kiir Mayardit, as well as all of the other parties in the conflict into controlling their various troops and militias to stop the fighting.

To call attention to the conflict, Deng is conducting a hunger strike outside The White House, hoping that the Obama Administration will act on behalf of his people. He explains in an open letter to President Barack Obama why he is launching a hunger strike.

“South Sudan only exists as an independent country today thanks to the United States of America,” he reminds Obama. But “the senseless renewal of civil war since independence,” has resulted in:

• Approximately 70,000 South Sudanese dead
• 2 million displaced or refugees
• Some 4 million on the verge of starvation
• One million have fled to Northern Sudan
• Another 110,000 under United Nations protection in South Sudan

Deng compares the role of the United States to that of a midwife, bringing a new baby (South Sudan) into the world. “Yet in the intervening years, it is as if South Sudan was an infant left to fend for itself,” Deng laments. “While we [the U.S.] were present and active for the whole process leading up to the birth, afterwards we turned away, washed our hands, and moved on,” he says.

“It is beyond time for the U.S. to step up, take charge, and protect this precious baby we brought into the world,” declares the former South Sudanese slave and then state champion swimmer for Sudan. “No other country can play this role,” he explains.

Deng contrasts the optimism in South Sudan following independence with the division and hostility today:

When 98.8 percent of South Sudanese voted for independence in the 2011 referendum, they believed that their new leaders—many of whom, including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, had once earned respect fighting in the two-decade civil war with the north—would finally bring peace and stability. They trusted their new government would deliver clean drinking water, roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, security, and the all-important tools of civil society and democratic governance. The collective vision was to move forward into the modern world together.

Today, Southern Sudanese no longer even see themselves as one country. The nation’s major tribes no longer believe that they can live together in peace, unity, and harmony. Those not already fighting are arming themselves and preparing for war.

The plea that Deng is making is on behalf of all South Sudanese, from every ethnic group, but his own Shilluk people have been hit hard recently. His nine-year-old niece, elderly great-aunt, and five other family members brutally were murdered a few months ago. “UN observers said they had never seen anything like it,” said Deng.

What does Deng want? First of all, he wants either Secretary of State John Kerry or the President himself to bring the key players, President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and former Vice President Riek Machar, to the bargaining table and address them, saying, “This nation shall not perish because of you, Mr. Kiir, or you, Mr. Machar. You walked away and violated your agreement. For the sake of your people and the nation that you fought for, you must now return to the table.” Deng’s complete list of requests to President Obama are available in his open letter here.

Here’s What You Can Do To Help:

1. Pray for Simon’s safety and success, pray for God to change the hearts of all those causing conflict and violence in South Sudan, and to bring reconciliation and healing to all of the people groups who have been affected in any way. You may even consider joining Simon in fasting.

2. Sign this petition to the co-chairs of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Sudan Caucus, asking them to urge President Obama to invite South Sudan President Salva Kiir, former Vice President Riek Machar, and another representative leader to the United States to discuss with him and Members of Congress a way forward that would permanently end violence and immediately re-start a peaceful and sustainable development process in South Sudan.

3. Call The White House Comment Line, 202.456.1111, with the following message:

   Mr. President. Look out your window. Simon Deng is calling for your help for South Sudan. Act now to stop the senseless slaughter, displacement and destruction in South Sudan by taking the lead to broker peace. Stop the flow of petro-dollars that fund conflict by putting them in escrow for justice, accountability, trauma healing, an interim government and peace. Your immediate action is needed urgently. I look forward to your response. Thank you.

4. If you are in the DC area, visit Simon at The White House to show your support. You could bring a sign that says “President Obama: Save South Sudan.” You could also bring a bottle of water for Simon!

5. Visit Simon’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HungerStrikeforSouthSudan