by Ashleigh Sanchez
Daily Lobo
After fleeing Darfur in 2003, refugee Daoud Hari returned six times to be a translator for international reporters.
Hari said he wanted his story told.
"I want to show everyone, tell everyone what is happening," he said. "That is very valuable to me."
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Hari and two other Darfur refugees spoke at UNM on Saturday about their experiences in the war-torn region. The refugees are touring the U.S. to raise awareness about the genocide in their country, organizer Jennifer Moore said.
"We want to educate and organize to encourage people to make connections between what they learn in class and real life," she said. "And just to be aware of legislation and economics."
More than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been chased from their homes since ethnic African rebels took up arms against the central government in February 2003, accusing it of discrimination.
Refugee Amal Allagabo said every voice counts.
"We want to add our voice to yours," she said.
Allagabo said people can help end the Darfur conflict by petitioning public officials and withdrawing support from companies that support the Sudanese government, such as JPMorgan and Franklin Templeton.
Allagabo said the international community needs to do something about travesties happening in Darfur.
"How many women have to be exposed to rape before they act?" Allagabo said. "When one person dies, it's too many."
The refugees played a DVD from the Save Darfur Coalition. In the DVD, survivors told stories of rape and murder at the hands of the Sudanese-backed militia janjaweed.
It showed the disparity caused by the Sudanese government, Moore said.
"It's easy to get overwhelmed by the suffering," she said. "But it's really important to get to know it on a personal level in order to galvanize change."
Hari said he started trying to stop the conflict after his small village in Darfur was bombed by the Sudanese government in 2003.
Hari said he saw janjaweed soldiers shoot a mother and her child.
"A man came back to see if she was still alive, and he was shot in the head," he said. "We got close enough to see that the woman and child were dead."
Hari said he and Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Salopek were arrested in Darfur in 2006. The Sudanese government charged them with espionage.
Moore said Gov. Bill Richardson negotiated with the government for their release, and Hari was granted refugee status in the U.S.
Hari testifies before Congress and promotes grassroots activism, Moore said.
Student Belinda Garley said the event shed light on the Darfur conflict.
"It was so moving," Garley said. "And it's so easy to help."
Allagabo said there are countries that can help end the conflict, but economics plays a big role.
"China is in a position to help, but they don't because they have oil interests in Sudan," she said.
Allagabo came to the U.S. to study and planned to return to Sudan. Her plans changed when Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir seized power.
Allagabo said she applied for political asylum and has become an advocate for people in Darfur.
"I want to give my people a bit of what they've given me," she said.
Veronica Garcia said the event was moving.
"This is an area where humanity first sprang up," Garcia said. "9-year-old girls getting raped - it's horrible. I will absolutely be getting involved."
