Slavery ignored - black slavery in Sudan and Mauritania

National Review, Oct 23, 1995 by Minoo Southgate

Things may be changing, though. In January, Black Caucus Chairman Donald Payne (D., N.J.) co-sponsored a bill introduced by Rep. Dick Zimmer (R., N.J.), which cuts aid to Mauritania until it takes action "to eliminate chattel slavery." In September, the Black Caucus declared its opposition to slavery. Time will tell whether action will follow this declaration.

The NAACP, which took no action under Chavis, passed a resolution in May condemning Sudan and Mauritania and announcing that it now stood in "the front line" of the struggle. Curiously, while the resolution exhorted the U.S. and the UN to act, it did not reveal what the NAACP itself planned to do. No action has followed since May. The NAACP's acting executive director, Earl Shinhoster, did not return phone calls.

What accounts for such inertia in those who tirelessly battled apartheid? Black leaders "have ties and friendships" in "Islamic fundamentalist countries," explains Cotton, "and sources report that Arab money funds a number of pet projects of some Black politicians and religious leaders." Black leaders also fear alienating Louis Farrakhan.

"My people are killed every day . . . enslaved . . . displaced," pleaded Sudanese exile Sheik Anwar McKeen, on New York's black radio. Most liberal journalists and black leaders have yet to respond.