DARFUR: DETERIORATING STATUS – AND THREE ACTIONS
Darfur’s current state continues to degenerate on
almost all fronts. As mentioned last month, there has been an appalling
upsurge in the amount and type of violence – burning villages, killing men,
raping women - not seen since the early period of the conflict.
The only hope for Darfur is to advocate a complete
package of actions that is anchored on the ultimate need for peace
negotiations not just for Darfur but within all Sudan and with its
neighbors. However in the interim one must raise up the need for
humanitarian aid, a unified rebel set of demands, broader Darfur-Darfur
Dialogue, tactics to change Sudan’s calculus, and peacekeeping. So here are
some actions you can take:
1. TELL YOUR GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE SUSTAINED FULL-TIME
FOCUS ON AN ALL-SUDAN SOLUTION FOR DARFUR.
Sudan has suffered from ‘Drive-by Diplomacy’, where the
focus hops from issue to issue (first, to the North-South agreement, which
omitted Darfur, then Darfur but in taking the focus off the North-South
issue, it frayed, threatening civil war; let alone ignoring Sudan, etc).
If you live in the U.S. or Canada, you can use the
following toll-free number, which gives you other talking points and
connects you with your choice of government offices. This action was given
before, but the deteriorating shift in Darfur needs a second round of phone
calls. Phone: 1-800-GENOCIDE. It can seem scary to do, but it can be as
simple as saying “Due to the worsening conditions in Darfur, I ask you to
ensure maximum, full-time sustained diplomatic focus on an all-Sudan Darfur
solution, and full support of the UN peacekeeping force. Thank you.”
2. PETITION PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE UN SECURITY
COUNCIL TO APPLY PRESSURE:
http://www.dreamfordarfur.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=91
3. TELL PRESIDENT BUSH (& OTHER LEADERS) TO SUPPLY
HELICOPTERS:
The UN hybrid peacekeeping force for Darfur, known as
UNAMID, replaced the poorly supported African Union peacekeeping force at
the start of 2008, though deployment has been tragically slow as it is
severely hampered by Sudan. UNAMID is also being given tepid international
support. Previous emails have called for action to bolster the efforts.
And while the most urgent need may not be the required 24 helicopters, it is
appalling that the international community has not fully pledged them – it
sends a signal to Sudan’s President Bashir that his obstructionism is of
little consequence to the world. Thus the following is an action to try to
remedy this gaping hole.
Tell President Bush to Supply Helicopters (non-US
citizens, see further below):
http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign/helicopters
Background:
http://www.savedarfur.org/newsroom/policypapers/fact_sheet_unamid_helicopters/
(If you are a non-US citizen check the above link to
see if your country is on list of available suppliers of helicopters, and if
so, write to your head of state to act).
For Further Reflection:
While some people have cited that US President Bush, as
part of his legacy, wants to have the Darfur crisis resolved, others feel
that the conflicted nature of US foreign policy, specifically the
possibility of getting terrorist information from Sudan, is the trump card,
which I have alluded to in my Darfur summary (www.UntilAll.org/Darfur.htm).
For those interested in a more detailed argument, a recent report from
africaAction documents this aspect (see:
africaAction Report). It will be a critical year to see which way the
dynamics tilt.
