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Wed., May. 14, 2008
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We Can Protect Darfur
In Darfur, the western region of Sudan, a government-sponsored genocide has been taking place since 2003. Despite media attention and growing public activism, the international response to this crisis has failed to stop the violence or to provide protection to the people of Darfur. Although what’s happening in Darfur is complicated, there are clear priorities and paths for action. As the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, there are steps that the U.S. and international community can and must take to save millions of lives.
The most important priority must be providing security to the people of Darfur. Already more than 400,000 people have been killed and approximately 2.5 million more forced out of their homes by government forces and their proxy “Janjaweed” militias. In recent months, we have seen a severe spike in violence in Darfur and across the border into neighboring Chad. The crisis is also escalating as the government of Sudan obstructs humanitarian operations, leaving growing numbers of people without lifesaving assistance.
There is now an international consensus that a robust international protection force is needed in Darfur to stop the violence, provide security to humanitarian efforts, facilitate peace talks, and support the voluntary return of displaced people. An African Union (AU) mission in Darfur has done important work and provided some security, but it urgently needs international reinforcement. The AU mission fundamentally lacks the numbers, the mandate, and the logistical resources required. It is clear that the recent AU commitment to extend its mission until September will be insufficient to address the security crisis on the ground. Moreover, genocide and other crimes against humanity are not regional issues, they are a matter for the entire international community, and as such they require an urgent international response.
Many organizations and public citizens across this country have looked to the U.S. to provide leadership in the United Nations by calling for an international intervention to stop the genocide in Darfur. The U.S. is the only government to have publicly acknowledged that what is taking place there constitutes “genocide.” And, it has shown some international leadership on this crisis, including providing financial support for humanitarian efforts and diplomatic support for peace talks.
But, despite pronouncements of its deep concern, the U.S. has yet to galvanize international support around a concrete plan of action to protect the people of Darfur. Advocates continue to urge the administration to match its rhetoric with action by introducing a UN Security Council resolution authorizing a peacekeeping force for Darfur, and by working with the AU to rapidly deploy such a force.
Africa Action's Film Guide will help you organize screenings in your community to commemorate the Rwandan genocide and generate discussion on the genocide in Darfur.
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In September 2005, the international community committed itself to the “Responsibility to Protect,”—a statement that recognized an obligation to protect civilians from genocide and crimes against humanity. The response to Darfur now tests this principle. The people of Darfur cannot wait any longer. If we fail to act, many more lives will be lost and the destabilizing impact of this crisis will spread across the whole sub-region.
After the Rwandan genocide, U.S. officials claimed that if Americans had clamored for more government action, the U.S. would have had to take steps to stop that massacre. As genocide now unfolds in Darfur, we each have a unique power to raise our voices and demand protection for these innocent lives.
Ann-Louise Colgan, Director
Department of Policy Analysis and Communications
Africa Action
 NEXT “FRONTLINES” ARTICLE: Citizens for Global Solutions on Justice for Victims
PERSPECTIVES HOMEPAGE: PREVENTING GENOCIDE
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