An estimated 2 million people have died, and 4 million have been displaced, in almost 20 years of war in Sudan.
Slavery is one outgrowth of the terror.
The Sudanese government tolerates the taking of slaves and other booty by tribal militias that raid villages in the south and in the Nuba Mountains. It also uses religion to spur violence and justify the persecution of, and attacks against, Christians, followers of traditional indigenous religions and Muslims who reject the government's extreme form of Islam. Many religious leaders, politicians and news agencies have been calling attention to genocide and slavery in Sudan for years. But many of those same voices are now pushing harder than ever for action. Newcomers have joined the movement against slavery in Sudan just this year, spurred by the March 7 congressional testimony of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.