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Neither Candidate Has Done Enough To Help Darfur Victims

In advance of tonight’s presidential debate, a great article on Senator McCain, Senator Obama, and Darfur policy by Sudan activist Susan Morgan. Please read this important commentary.

Neither Candidate Has Done Enough To Help Darfur Victims
The Huffington Post
September 23, 2008
Originally published here.

According to statements made by Senators John McCain and Barack Obama in a questionnaire recently released by three leading Darfur activist organizations, both US presidential candidates are committed to bringing a swift end to the genocide unfolding in the Darfur region of Sudan. Yet, as this first genocide of the 21st century continues into its sixth year, words are cheap.

Both McCain and Obama have promised “unstinting resolve” in pursuing an end to the Darfur genocide if elected. However, we have yet to see either of these US leaders, one of whom will become our next president, flex his political muscle to bring relief to the millions of victims suffering in Darfur today.

These innocent victims cannot wait until January 2009 before the United States musters the political will to act. In recent weeks, the situation in Darfur has become increasingly grave. The government of Sudan has launched repeated attacks on civilian camps for internally displaced persons including one on September 10 at the ZamZam camp and one at the Kalma camp on August 25. Additionally, the UN’s World Food Program announced that escalating violence may force it to stop food deliveries leaving millions without assistance.

ACTION: Tell Obama and McCain to Support the ICC

An important action alert from our friends at Stop Genocide Now.

On September 10th the government of Sudan launched new attacks on ZamZam Camp for internally displaced persons. Many of those who were injured and killed were already forced to flee their homes one, two or three times. This attack comes a week after an attack on Kalma Camp by government troops. This violence is unacceptable. Our leadership has not done enough to end this violence. We need to build the political will to move our leaders to action.

When we speak to refugees in the camps, they tell us that peace will not come before justice.

The candidates have spoken out on Darfur, but they have yet to stand behind the ICC case against Sudan’s President al-Bashir. This case will begin the process of justice and reconciliation for Darfuris who have suffered, and continue to suffer every day. The Kalma Massacre, recent attacks on ZamZam Camp, and al-Bashir’s threats against humanitarian aid workers are war crimes. We cannot allow his threats and military action in Darfur to continue as we stand by. Violence has led to yet another NGO pullout leaving a 1/2 million people without aid and another attack on World Food Program envoy may push them to also pull out, leaving millions without assistance. The next President must be prepared to uphold justice and bring peace to the region today not tomorrow. The first step is for both Obama and McCain to support the ICC case.

Send Presidential candidates McCain and Obama messages asking them to support ICC case by CLICKING HERE.

[End of Post]

Global justice challenged in Darfur

In case you missed it, some important commentary from Sudan expert and activist Eric Reeves.
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Global justice challenged in Darfur

By Eric Reeves – August 29, 2008
The Boston Globe

As news coverage of Darfur’s horrors again ebbs, as regional rains reach their heaviest in a deadly season known as the “hunger gap,” the regime in Khartoum appears to have outwaited the international community. The men who have orchestrated ethnic destruction in Darfur now believe that by threatening the massive UN humanitarian and peacekeeping presence in the region, they can have their way with the fate of international justice and determine fully the fate of Darfur’s millions of conflict-affected civilians.

This threat emerges in response to a July announcement by International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo seeking an arrest warrant against President Omar al-Bashir, charging him with genocide and crimes against humanity. Khartoum has so far responded mainly with declarations defying and denouncing the ICC, but recent language suggests an ominous shift.