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Subscribe to RSSAmid the rising tensions in Sudan, and a possible outbreak of violence that has world leaders fearing the worst, actor and activist George Clooney and NBC News' Ann Curry travel to Southern Sudan to shine a spotlight on the tumultuous region as the January referendum — when the south will vote on whether or not to secede and form its own country — looms and millions of lives are at stake. Clooney takes "Dateline" cameras on a fact-finding tour across the war-torn area and speaks with Curry about his experiences working with people who are living in dire poverty and struggling for peace. Airing Friday, Dec. 3 at 10 PM/ET, this special edition of "Dateline" reveals a side of Clooney outside of Hollywood's glitz and glamour — a Clooney leveraging his celebrity status to focus international attention on those who need it most, before it's too late.
"For what may be the first time in history, our cameras aimed to document a war of potential atrocities, possibly even genocide, as it unfolded in real time," explains NBC News' Ann Curry. "No one is more serious, or as clued in to the potential risks in Sudan as George Clooney; not only as an actor, but as a human rights activist. This 'Dateline' hour offers a rare glimpse of the real world, and of a man who cares honestly about these people who have no voice, except the one he gives them."
"Dateline" cameras follow Clooney on his whistle-stop tour across the U.S., with John Prendergast—a former Clinton Administration Africa expert who now heads an anti-genocide group called the Enough Project— who also accompanied Clooney and Curry to Southern Sudan. Throughout their U.S. tour, they meet with students, officials, and political leaders in the White House and on Capitol Hill, aiming to bring attention to the problem in Sudan and work to find a peaceful solution. "You know, if the cameras are gonna follow me everywhere I go, then I'm going to go to places that the cameras should be," says Clooney, a United Nations "Messenger of Peace."
Curry also sits down one-on-one with a woman who many hope will bring much needed support to this brewing conflict: Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Illustrating the weight of the situation at hand, Rice says, "It's— it's humbling and it's daunting. But, at the end of the day, neither I nor the United States of America, nor even the entire international community can decide the fate of Sudan for it. Its people and its leaders have to do that." When asked what the international response might be if genocide begins, she responds, "I'm not gonna rule out anything."
Their upcoming Dateline hour-long report will air Friday at 10pm/9c.
Watch a web exclusive preview of 'Winds of War' below:
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Thank you Dateline for reporting on George Clooney’s effort to prevent another war in Sudan.
An escaped Sudanese slave and human rights activist Simon Deng has been working hard to achieve the same objective.
He has recently walked through Congress barefoot (in solidarity with his Sudanese brothers and sisters), visiting the offices of all 535 members of Congress to make sure Sudan remains on their agenda. A month prior to that Simon raised awareness about a possibility of another war in Sudan by walking from New York to Washington DC.
I welcome you to watch a short video about Simon’s walk in Congress here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHT1XGv3wSE
To learn more about Simon’s initiatives please visit www.iabolish.org
Will this be shown on the web also? Thank you for covering such an important issue!
This is disinformation, to build consensus for Obama's pending invasion of Southern Sudan, to secure oil, after the January referendum in which the South will surely vote to secede from the North.
This segment was an example of how the American media is committed to providing propaganda based information. The real story is about China and the US's interest in Sudan.
As part of the Southern Sudanese Diaspora, I thank USA for its support for our right to self-determination, whether to chose freedom & democracy or to continue under strict Islamic Sharia law that allows no drinking, holding hands in public or women wearing pants or knee-level dresses. Our rights have been secured by the deaths of over two million, brutal deaths mind you, murder, torture, gang-raping of children by the Khartoum Islamic militia, who also kidnapped our children keeping them into bascially slave-like conditions in North Sudan and Middle East.
But I ask Dateline, Ann Curry and other Americans & Celebrities, do not over dramatise our plight (The Winds of War, etc.) it is already unbelievable even to us, but explain our story well, for I can tell you - there is nothing romantic about war, about seeing your property and town burn to the ground, your entire family killed before your eyes, and your 10 year old sister gang-raped while you sit paralyzed.
Tell our story well, true and those Americans who love freedom and democracy - as we do will understand us. God bless the USA, and our new nation to be in 2011: The Republic of Southern Sudan.....SPLM Oyee
Could the people in the small border villages of the Sudan raise pigs?
@Ann Garrison
You're disinformed. You should read Sudan's history. The North has been waring against the South for decades.
I don't deny that Northern Sudan has been warring against Southern Sudan for decades. I said only that this is a disinformation campaign to build consensus in the U.S. for U.S. invasion, with its Ugandan proxy warriors, to secure oil after the referendum, which is sure to result in an independent Southern Sudan. I don't question the South's desire to secede; I question my own government's engagement, and that of George Clooney and NBC Dateline.
They speak of troops, weapons, and even Russian aircraft amassing in the north; they don't point out that the U.S. is mobilizing a military operation on the Northern Ugandan border with Sudan and the CAR, an operation deceitfully named the LRA Disarmament Act.
Right on Ann! This story was nothing but propaganda to bolster American interest and/or support for potential military involvement. It relied upon very one dimensional concepts of good guys and bad guys. What it failed to REPORT was the real issue--China and the US and their interest/investment in Sudan. That's the real story.
Hi, NessaMae: Glad to see I wasn't the only one to see through this.
See
Thank you for such a moving story. So often it is easier to just turn away. Bad people do things when good people look away. Thank Goodness for people like Mr. Clooney and NBC. I hope Mr. Clooney can go back and tell the little girl "See I am back and we do care."
I wanted to take the time to say "thank you" to George Clooney and NBC as well as many others who help make this world a safer place. Living in a country with freedom is easily taken for granted. My heart morns for all of the people of Sedan. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to live in such extreme poverty, not knowing if today will be the last. The innocent faces on the frail, weak, but hopeful children brakes my heart.
I would give anything, literally anything, to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate!!!
all you have to do is send an email to the white house via sudanactionnow.org to urge them to keep working on diplomacy in Sudan... Khartoum should be more uneasy about attacking the south with the world watching
If you would truly do anything and really mean what you say then you can sell everything you own, get on an airplane and go to Sudan and walk hand in hand and fight with these people. Your saying you would literally do anything to make a difference then sell everthing and put your money where your mouth is.
I am not a celebrity, nor am I in a financial position to due much for the people of Sudan. But, I have an idea.------Muslims are deathly afraid of pigs.
It may seem odd, but please, for a moment, put yourself in their shoes.---A mother or father, unarmed, unprotected, living in a small border village in Sudan, desperate to protect your family--with very few resources.
My enemy fears being killed by a spear soaked in pigs blood, or being buried in pig parts.---I would be eager to raise pigs.
Let's pool our resources, purchase pigs & deliver them to the border villages of Sudan.
It worked for General Black Jack Pershing. Hopefully our American history can help the people of Sudan gain their freedom.
This is nothing new. Muslims have been killing people for 1400 years. A previous invasion of the region was recounted by Winston Churchill, "The River War", which anyone interested in the current situation should read.
As for the US getting involved, we're already fighting muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now we're going to take on the Sudan as well? George Clooney might be a good fighter but . . .
I have been to Southern Sudan (one year ago) and have see the beautiful people who languish in poverty with little hope. To imply this program is all about US politics is short sighted at best and immoral at worst. The possibilities of genocide to my friends in Sudan hurts unbelievably. We must do all we can to prevent the atrocities in Darfur repeating itself.
If you doubt what is said, go to Google Earth and look for yourself at the thousands of burned out villages in Darfur.
God help us not to let this happen again.
Many people are emailing me. Is there a way to see the full episode from Dec 3 Dateline on the web or to order it?
Rio Rymer has a point here.
How can we start such a movement?
Thank you Dateline and George Clooney for continuing to bring home the plight of peoples in Sudan. I urge all media to please continue coverage of the newest developments in the region.
I have watched the episode in NBC5. I was quite surprised from the many false information in the show. The war between north & south is never ever being between Muslims and Christians as Ann emphasized in her show. There are many Christians and many many Churches in Khartoum. The war started long time ago in 1952 when the southern people realized they have no power in the government and all the control within the hand of Northern people. Sudan consists of many tribes and each tribe likes to have the power. "The honor of tribe" is main reason for all conflicts in Sudan including Darfur.
I thank George Clooney for his efforts. But, I did not like what he said inside a classroom and trying to sow the seed of hatred among the students. Even during the war, there are schools in Khartoum dedicated for Southern people. University of "Juba" is in Khartoum. So, Khartoum does like them to educate. I have many closed friends from Southern part when i was studying in Khartoum university (the famous university in Sudan). Many prestige schools (running British system) are utilized by Southern people IN Khartoum.
The true major current problem of Sudan is the current Government. A bunch of militant people took the control and they completely ruined Sudan. Everyday i open the news wishing to see the government has been changed. Unfortunately, It becomes like a dream.
Thanks Mr. Clooney for your tireless efforts and love for the people of Southern Sudan. Please continue in your special and unique position to keep the plight of the South Sudanese people alive before the American media and political leaders and the international community.
“Winds Of War: George Clooney In Sudan” was a classic example of the tremendous disservice the media is to the American discourse on foreign policy and in providing objective information to the public. This segment was nothing more than a tool of propaganda that relied on divisive perspectives that only fueled an already polarized situation. Furthermore, though the atrocities committed are heinous and should be made public, the real story is about China's foreign policy in Sudan and America's interests. Yet again, American foreign policy tactics reflect the old cliche interests in oil resources; however, these important points were masked by stories of war, starvation, rape, and suffering children as a ploy to garner sympathy for Southern Sudanese succession. “Winds Of War: George Clooney In Sudan" incensed me for it's assault on my intelligence and lack of journalistic responsibility to the public.
I find it amazing that you gave an entire hour to this topic, but gave viewers no concrete action they could take. Opportunity missed.