In the news: New nail polish shade now available

In 1994, Washington was trying hard to avoid using the word «genocide » in Rwanda, in order to avoid being obligated to act by the Genocide Convention it had signed in 1989.

« Clinton’s brain trust then produced an inventive new reading of the genocide Convention. Instead of obliging signatory states to prevent genocide, the White House determined, the Convention merely « enables » such preventive action. »
Philip Gourevitch, « We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families », 1998, p153.

In Uganda,  the band of rebels which kidnaps children to serve as soldiers and sex slaves goes by the sanctified name of the Lord’s Resistance Army. Some sources estimate the number of children thus kidnapped at around 30 000.

In Darfur, the governement claims to have no control over the Janjaweed, a pro-government militia differing wildly from the Interahamwe in that they have machine guns instead of machetes but otherwise just as versed in the art of raping, maiming and killing.

By the way, there are intense peace talks currently being held in Darfur, that could be a pivotal point for the 3 millions displaced in the conflict that face famine. I know, it’s hard to find in the news. You have to really know where to look. Lots of clicks.

The drawing below is not from an 8 year-old who has been watching too much Rambo but an 8 year-old who had a run in with the Janjaweed. Notice the elegant trajectories of the bullets.



But enough of that. Did you know that Paris Hilton actually broke up with her latest Greek heir? Honest, she’s single again! She could be dating Nick Lachley next and here I am, worried about obscure problems in Africa! Like, hello? How ridiculous can I get?