The crisis in Darfur continues. Since 2003, an estimated 400,000 people have been murdered, and over 3.5 million people have been displaced from their homes. At best, the Sudanese government is doing very little to prevent the genocide in Darfur. At worst, it is perpetrating this appalling violence against humanity through the use of the Janjijaweed militia.
The genocide in Darfur must be stopped. One would think that, in the 21st century, the international community, when faced with the realities of Darfur, would swiftly and aggressively intervene and put an end to the human suffering. But this has not and is not occurring. While the United Nations has begun preparing for a direct role in Darfur, it still has not authorized the placement of U.N.-sponsored troops. Moreover, the Sudanese government is resisting any U.N. presence in its country and, without its consent, it is doubtful that the U.N. can or will intervene. The African Union has deployed approximately 7,000 troops in Darfur, but the restrictive rules of engagement that apply to these troops have prevented them from diminishing, let alone stopping, the genocide.
The United States has argued for a larger U.N. role in Sudan. Congress is in the process of appropriating over $500 million for the crisis, including humanitarian aid for the millions of refugees displaced from their homes in Darfur, and assistance to the African Union troops in Darfur. Our diplomats have worked closely with the African Union led peace talks, which are finishing up their seventh round this week. While the mediation efforts have succeeded in getting the Sudanese government to accept the peace agreement, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick headed to Sudan this week to address the rebels’ refusal to accept the deal.
At the grassroots level here in the Washington region, this past Friday I joined with five members of Congress, faith leaders and over 100 protestors to speak out against what’s occurring in Darfur. The peaceful protest took place on the steps of the Sudanese embassy. As a collective group, we allowed ourselves to be arrested as a form of protest against the Sudanese government’s actions and as a way to raise awareness of the unspeakable human suffering that the international community, by its inaction, allows to continue.
Two days later on Sunday, I also joined the “SAVE DARFUR: Rally to Stop Genocide” on the National Mall. It was sponsored by the Save Darfur Coalition, a coalition of more than 160 faith-based, advocacy and humanitarian organizations representing over 130 million Americans. The event featured any number of key activists, Congress members, community leaders and celebrities, including acclaimed actor/activist George Clooney.
Drawing over 10,000 participants, the event was not just another civic protest on the Mall. It helped to ramp up public awareness in the U.S. of the Darfur genocide, and I believe, played a powerful indirect role in pressuring the Sudanese government to accept the peace agreement.
But sustaining this past weekend’s momentum will not be easy. With the lives of hundreds of thousands of our fellow human beings on the line in this war-torn region, every setback and delay means another violent act is allowed to be committed. I plan to continue speaking out on this issue and am supportive of the steps the U.S. has taken recently to bring an end to the suffering and killing in Darfur. Congress must pass the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act which is currently stalled, pending Senate action. For those interested in learning more about the crisis in Darfur, the www.savedarfur.org website is a good place to start.
