Decisive Action on Sudan Needed Now

It’s been seven years since the Darfur genocide began.  Fortunately, the conflict continues to garner attention worldwide, thanks to the thousands of Americans who refuse to abandon the people of Darfur.

While President Obama stated last March 18th that “Sudan is a priority for this Administration,” the Administration has yet to release its long-overdue policy review.  Additionally, statements from Special Envoy Scott Gration have focused on rewards for the Khartoum regime instead of a balanced approach that includes punitive measures for continued intransigence.  This is troubling, given that Sudan has done little that should be rewarded.

With recent indications that this policy review is close to be released, the time to pressure the Obama administration is more urgent than ever to ensure all necessary components are included in what will be the guiding document to U.S.-Sudan relations.  The policy review must include two key elements - clear consequences for the Sudanese government who is failing to implement the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and U.S. leadership of concerned nations to develop a Darfur peace process that addresses the root causes of the conflict and involves Darfuri citizens.

The current approach with Sudan has not worked and a fundamental shift in strategy and new direction must be charted to avoid the peace processes unraveling, humanitarian conditions worsening, or a return to outright war in Sudan.

Sudan Now, a new ad campaign that was recently launched, calls on President Obama, Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Clinton to keep the promises they’ve made to the people of Sudan.  More information on the campaign can be found by visiting www.SudanActionNow.com.

The time for the U.S. to step up on Sudan is now.