Category: Blog

By: Jahna Paige, Development Intern at DWAG

 

ref·u·gee

ˌrefyo͝oˈjē/

noun: refugee; plural noun: refugees

a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

According to the UNHCR, 1 in every 113 people is a refugee. To put it in perspective, “on average 24 people worldwide were displaced from their homes every minute of every day during 2015”. With such a high figure, we should all have encountered a refugee or two by now. A neighbor, the clerk at your favorite store, the engineer, your son’s best friend. Better yet, we should all know how to respond and respect them to make them feel welcome. Unfortunately, we don’t.

2015 saw an increase in war and conflict. Especially in Darfur, Sudan where intense violence escalated, forcing over 233,000 Darfuris to flee. Sadly, Darfuris are continuing to meet the same fate even in 2016, with the majority fleeing to Chad, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, Jordan, Egypt, and the U.S.

Despite searching for peace and support to help rebuild their lives, Darfuri refugees are welcomed with countless obstacles. As they leave their homeland, they are faced with cultural, language, and economic barriers. Often coupled with mental and physical trauma, it is undeniable difficult for Darfuri refugees to lead normal lives. In addition, certain countries exacerbate the challenges by placing harsh laws to restrict refugees from obtaining any employment or education. (Jordan, we’re looking at you)! Or, if refugees are allowed employment and other services, they must pass tests and exams that purposely make it difficult for them to receive the full benefits of a citizen.

Furthermore, many are targeted after crossing the border, as in the case of the Darfuris in Egypt. Leaked reports state that Sudanese and Egyptian officials agreed to an unusual deal: if Egypt responds to the Sudanese political dissidents, Sudan will destroy the Brotherhood. In this respect, Darfuri refugees do not have the freedom of speech in their own country AND the country where they are taking refuge.

While refugee agencies such as the UNHCR and the IOM, as well as Western governments attempt to address the refugee crisis, they have been ineffective due to the lengthy and exhausting process. There have been many cases where Darfuri refugees have protested outside these agencies’ buildings as a last resort. Promised that their application would be processed in a few months, only to be waiting 15+ months, while being discriminated against. Or worse, to be detained, arrested, tortured and sent back to Sudan. As one Darfuri refugee put it, “organizations here have no humanity.”

So while “we stand together #with refugees”, let us also take action. We call on you to demand that refugee agencies and your governments assist and protect refugees during their process, while treating them with respect. Because at the end of the day, refugees are humans too.

 

By: Katelyn Serpe- Communications and Network Building Intern

On June 14, 2016, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, addressed the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Darfur and the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) mandate. He states that the “nature of the conflict in Darfur remains unchanged since the renewal of the mandate of the mission for many reasons.” He gave three main reasons for the continued conflict.

First, Mr. Ladsous said that “little progress has been made in finding a political solution to the conflict.” He then cited the continued “element of intercommunal violence… [which] remains a major source of insecurity in Darfur” and has been exacerbated by the politicization of these disputes. Continuing, he stated that the “fighting with the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid faction in Jebel Marra, which rejects negotiations with the Government, has continued.” Mr. Ladsous also commented that there have been “indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population, which UNAMID could not confirm due to lack of access.”

UNAMID continues to face challenges in following its mandate including “denials of access and freedom of movement, particularly… to conflict areas such as Jebel Marra” (Ladsous). The difficulties that UNAMID faces in Sudan limit the amount that it is able to aid civilians as well as to help bring an end to conflict. The Secretary-General suggests that UNAMID focus on protecting displaced populations, especially as the current situation in Darfur is not conducive to a large-scale return of IDPs to their places of origin. It was recommended that the mandate of UNAMID be extended for 12 months.

At the briefing, while Mr. Ladsous expressed legitimate concern about the situation in Darfur and the need for UNAMID, Sudan’s delegate denied the need for UNAMID in “many parts of Darfur,” despite the continued violent situation and the huge number of displaced people still in camps and unable to return to their homes. The Sudanese delegate even dared to claim that UNAMID “has achieved its objective by providing peace and stability” as civilians continue to be attacked and the situation in Darfur remains dire.

Despite the Under-Secretary-General’s statements of the obstacles and lack of freedom that UNAMID faces in Darfur, the delegate from Sudan claimed there is a “determination and readiness of the [Sudanese] Government to cooperate and coordinate with UNAMID and all of its entities to enable the mission to fully undertake and implement its mandate.” The delegate also stated that “if issues remain…it has nothing to do with any premeditated intention.”

Contrary to the claims of cooperation by the delegate from Sudan, UNAMID continues to face challenges with the Sudanese Government in achieving its mandate in Darfur. UNAMID does not have the freedom of movement it needs and is blocked or delayed from obtaining visas and clearance of shipment containers at Port Sudan.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has endorsed the recommendation to extend UNAMID’s mandate for another 12 months and Mr. Ladsous has asked the Security Council to do the same.

While it continues to face challenges in Sudan, the renewal of the mandate would continue to help the situation in Darfur and those who have been displaced by the still-present violence.

Its quite clear that leaders at the UN and AU have come to agree with an urgent concern that Darfur Women Action Group continues to raise which is the fact the situation in Darfur has remain unchanged and is escalating while bombing of civilians continues.

However, we believe in order for UNAMID to be effective they must focus on civilian’s protection as a single priority and they should be given the full mandate to operate under Chapter Seven.

We urge our readers to continue to speak up for the people of Darfur and demand strong support from international community to ensure that UNAMID mandate is not dictated by president al-Bashir.

 

About the Author

Katelyn Serpe is a junior at Rutgers University studying political science and economics. She is a writer for Her Campus Rutgers and is a member of SCREAM Theater. She enjoys reading, seeing Broadway shows, and meeting new people.

By Katelyn Serpe- Communications & Network Building Intern at DWAG

Last week, I had the privilege of a companying DWAG’s president to the UN to attend the ICC prosecutor’s bringing on the situation in Darfur.

On June 9, 2016, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, presented the 23rd report on the situation in Darfur, Sudan to the United Nations Security Council. It has been over ten years since the case was referred to the ICC and it has still not been resolved.

The President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, remains free and travels across international borders, despite the two arrest warrants that have been issued for his arrest. Prosecutor Bensouda pointed out that her Office’s “countless appeals to [the Council] for action to address the persistent failure of Sudan to comply with its international obligations have not been heeded” and “the Council’s failure to act in response to 11 findings of non-compliance issued by ICC judges has equally emboldened states…not only to facilitate Mr. al-Bashir’s travels to their territories but to invite and host him.”

This non-compliance with the requests of the ICC impedes the Court’s ability to investigate the situation and, once the matter has been brought to the attention of the Council in accordance with Article 87.7 of the Rome statute, the Council “is duty bound to act, to give due consideration to the judicial ruling, and to take decisive action as appropriate” (Fatou Bensouda).

The overwhelming majority of states on the Security Council who were present at the briefing supported the prosecutor’s position and agreed that the situation in Darfur is unsettling and that effective action must be taken to allow justice to prevail. With exception to the delegates from Angola, Egypt and Russia who have presented a controversial position, which is not a surprise looking at the records of their own countries. As stated by the prosecutor, the African Union as a political bloc has provided additional obstacles in the ICC investigation into the situation in Darfur and has been largely protecting the leaders rather than the African victims in Darfur.

To the contrary, the delegate of Sudan has presented miss-information and opposed the Prosecutor’s report about the situation in Darfur. He also suggested that Article 13(b) of the Rome Statute has been used to subjugate victimized states. This Article states that “the Court may exercise its jurisdiction with respect to a crime referred to in Article 5 in accordance with the provisions of this Statute if: A situation in which one or more such crimes appears to have been committed is referred to the Prosecutor by the Security Council…” (Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court). The crimes referred to in Article 5 are those of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression, which are defined in later Articles. Mr. al-Bashir has been accused of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, justifying the use of Article 13(b) by the Court.

In regards to the African states, the prosecutor has confirmed that despite some states that attempt to block the investigation there remain some states that strongly support the ICC’s effort. In addition, at the briefing most of the member states of the UNSC who were present have expressed their overwhelming support to the prosecutor’s position on the situation in Darfur and have expressed concern and stressed that al-Bashir should not be allowed to undermine the authority of the UNSC.

That same day in the afternoon a side event had been organized by the International Justice Project to renew support for the ICC where the prosecutor spoke alongside DWAG’s president, other speakers from the NGOs community who are fighting for justice, and the members of the Darfur community as survivors and witness testified on their personal accounts, making the case on why justice is particularly important in ending the genocide in Darfur.

“In spite of all the challenges at hand we remain hopeful, understanding that pursuing justice for genocide crimes may be difficult but not impossible. Therefore we will continue to rally support for the ICC and fight for justice no matter how long the road could be,” said Niemat Ahmadi, DWAG’s president.

Speaking to the crowd, the chief prosecutor Bensouda addressed the members of the Darfuri communities and the advocates, stating that “despite of the many obstacles, my office is extremely committed and will continue to investigate and work hand in hand with you to bring those who committed crimes to face justice”

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” We must remain hopeful and confident that there will be justice for the many victims of Darfur.

UN Security Council Meeting Coverage

http://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sc12393.doc.htm

 

 

Darfur Women Action Group, in partnership with Genocide Watch, The Genocide Prevention Program at the George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), and the Global Women’s Institute at The George Washington University cordially invites you to attend our 

5^th Annual National Symposium on Women & Genocide

in the 21st Century: The Case of Darfur

Building Strategies for Sustainable Change in Sudan

October 21^st–22^nd, 2016

For the past seven years, Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) has been working with its allies to bring awareness to the magnitude of the genocide in Darfur and particularly its impact on women. DWAG educates the public about these issues, empowering survivors and enable them to bring their voices to regional and international forums.

From Friday, October 21st to Saturday, October 22nd, we, along with hundreds of anti-genocide activists, women’s rights advocates, survivors, experts, artists, celebrities and concerned leaders will come together to address genocide, it’s impact on women, and build strategies for sustainable change in Darfur.

 

WHO:

Activists, students, and, distinguished keynote speakers, survivors testimonies and experts on genocide and women’s issues from around the world.

WHAT:  

By addressing genocide and its impact on women, we will define challenges and develop strategies for ending violence against women and the use of rape as a weapon of war. Our goal is to empower activists and affected communities, set strategies for meaningful inclusion and justice for victims, and influence effective policy reforms that will bring a sustainable end to genocide in the 21st century.

WHEN:

Friday, October 21^st 8AM – 6PM: Speakers & Panel discussions for sustainable change in Sudan with Sudanese Diaspora and activists

Saturday, October 22^nd 8AM – 4PM: Strategy Session to build effective partnership for genocide prevention with experts and leaders from the anti-genocide movement

WHERE:

1313 New York Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20005

WHY:  

We are building a global alliance to end genocide and work towards women’s empowerment in Darfur, Sudan at large, and worldwide. Together, we will educate, engage, and empower citizens to enable them to contribute to ending genocide in Sudan and elsewhere for the people of Sudan!

 

SPEAKERS: Professor Greg Stanton- President of Genocide Watch, Niemat Ahmadi Founder and President of DWAG and Dr. Irvin Erickson, Director, The Center for Genocide Prevention, GMU

More speakers and detailed program of the event will be updated soon.

 

Students: $25 Non-Students: $60

[A light lunch will be served on both days}

*Scholarships and group discounts are available upon request. For more information, email us at info@darfurwomenaction.org.

 

REGISTRATION

Link: click here to register

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On behalf of Darfur Women Action Group, Genocide Watch, The Genocide Prevention Program at the George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), and the Global Women’s Institute at The George Washington University, the Sudanese Diaspora, and the resilient women of Darfur, we hope you will join us in supporting our mission to mobilize, educate, engage and empower women and end genocide. For a full description of the symposium, including travel and lodging, please visit our event page.

Equip yourself with the tools to make a difference in your community as well as in the lives of your brothers and sisters in Darfur!

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

With gratitude,

 

Niemat Ahmadi, Founder and President of  Darfur Women Action Group               

Dr. Gregory Stanton, President of Genocide Watch

Dr. Douglas Irvin-Erickson, Director of S-CAR’s Genocide Prevention Program                                                                    

Dr. Mary Ellsberg, Director of GWU’s Global  Women’s Institute 

 

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram!

Visit us at darfurwomenaction.org

Contact us at info@darfurwomenaction.org

Darfur Women Action Group in Partnership with Genocide Watch, The Genocide Prevention Program at the George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), and the Global Women’s Institute at The George Washington University.

 

A news release sent out on Wednesday, the 4^th of May 2016 has called for President Obama to ramp up American pressure on Sudan to ease the suffering of those targeted by the government, particularly those in Darfur. Since 2003, Sudanese government forces in the region have used various forms of violence against the population to intimidate, humiliate and murder to the point of genocide. The call for action by more than 100 lawmakers, led by Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern, urges Obama to take greater action in an attempt to end the humanitarian crisis which has plagued Darfur for more than a decade.

The waning media coverage over time has allowed Sudanese forces to act with impunity, while increasing levels of violence in recent years support this notion. By doing little or nothing, the Obama administration has appeared to give its tacit approval towards the Sudanese government, as their actions go largely unpunished due to US’ focus on other geopolitical priorities. Therefore, the Darfuris and other conflict-affected Sudanese are subjected to the mercy of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the only sitting head of state to ever be indicted by the International Criminal Court. Despite this, al-Bashir has continued to travel freely to many countries, while continuing his campaign of terror which has come to characterize life for many in Darfur. Two days before the release on May 3^rd, the Sudan Air Force was implicated in the killings of six children in the Nuba Mountains, while air raids continued in Darfur, further exemplifying the opinion that continual systematic violence will not end without international efforts. The bipartisan request compels Obama to use American resources to ensure a lasting peace can be realized. This would be a formidable foreign policy success during his last year in office.

We at Darfur Women Action Group advocate for not only stronger US pressure on the Sudanese government to halt their relentless violence, but also to provide support to those displaced by the conflict. Furthermore, the use of sexual violence and rape as a tool of war has had a detrimental impact on Darfuri society, as the female population are forced to suffer in silence. Local civil society organizations are understaffed, underfunded and constantly undermined, meaning that women and girls are rarely truly safe. Therefore, the Obama administration must place more pressure on the Sudanese government to halt their actions. Secondly, the US must also place pressure on countries that allow al-Bashir to travel freely to limit his diplomatic leverage as much as possible. Thirdly, the US must allocate greater funding to local civil society particularly from the historically excluded and reinforce international support networks for affected communities to enable them to rebuild their lives.

With these measures, violence can be reduced, perpetrators can begin to be punished, and the marginalized populations can begin a transition to a more peaceful co-existence. Though the conflict will not cease overnight, the Obama administration possesses the means to begin that process and would be a clear demonstration of the responsible use of resources, at a time when American global leadership has been overshadowed by failures and setbacks.

 

 

Deadline Extended:  12:00 PM Noon, Friday, April 29^th –

Keep Sudan a Priority – Join Bipartisan Letter to President Obama

Signatories to date (77):  Jim McGovern, Joe Pitts, Mike Capuano, Michael McCaul, Barbara Lee,Jeff Fortenberry, Eliot Engel, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alcee Hastings, John Lewis, Danny Davis, Yvette Clarke, Raúl Grijalva, Gwen Moore, André Carson, Krysten Sinema, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson lee, Michael Doyle, Earl Blumenauer, Joe Crowley, Randy Weber, Greg Meeks, Charlie Rangel, Stephen Lynch, John Yarmuth, Peter Welch, Donald Payne, Jr.,  Jim McDermott, Gerald Connolly, Suzanne Bonamici, Peter DeFazio, John Conyers, Jr., Carolyn Maloney, Tim Huelskamp, Robin Kelly, Sanford Bishop, Jr., Donna Edwards, Ted Lieu, Corrine Brown, David Cicilline, Seth Moulton, Julia Brownley, Sam Farr, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Anna Eshoo, Bobby Rush, Katherine Clark, Hank Johnson, Jr., Mark DeSaulnier, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Hakeen S. Jeffries, Chellie Pingree, Bill Flores, Alan Lowenthal, Betty McCollum, Dina Titus, Elijah Cummings, Donald Beyer, Jr., Cedric Richmond, Brenda Lawrence, Ryan Costello, Karen Bass, Jan Schakowsky, Chris Van Hollen, Barbara Comstock, Daniel Lipinski, David Scott (GA), Emanuel Cleaver, Frank Pallone, Al Green, Joyce Beatty, Frederica Wilson, Tom Emmer, Brad Sherman, Chaka Fattah, William Keating.

National NGO Support: Act for Sudan, American Friends of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan, Carl Wilkens Fellowship, Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, Darfur Interfaith Network, Darfur Women Action Group, Dear Sudan-Love Marin, Enough Project, Harry Potter Alliance, Humanity United, i-ACT, Institute on Religion and Democracy, International Justice Project, Investors Against Genocide, Jewish World Watch, Jews Against Genocide, Nuba Mountains Advocacy Group-USA, Nuba Mountains International Association-USA, Nubia Project, Sudanese Marginalized Forum-USA, Sudan Unlimited, STAND: The Student-led Movement to End Mass Atrocities, Stop Genocide Now, United to End Genocide — State/Local NGOs: African Freedom Coalition (NY), Beja Organization for Human Rights and Development (Herndon, VA), Brooklyn Coalition for Darfur & Marginalized Sudan (Brooklyn, NY), Darfur Action Group of South Carolina, Darfur and Beyond (Phoenix, AZ), Darfur People’s Association of New York, Genocide No More-Save Darfur (Redding, CA), Georgia Coalition to Prevent Genocide, Hawa Abdalla Salih/Human Rights and Women’s Rights Activist/Recipient-2012 US Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award (Philadelphia, PA), Humanity is Us (NY, NY), Jewish Federation of Greater Austin (TX), Joining our Voices (Baton Rouge, LA), Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur, Never Again Coalition (Portland, OR), Nuba Christian Family Mission (Denver, CO), NY Coalition for Sudan, Pittsburgh Darfur Emergency Coalition (PA), San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition (CA), Sudan Advocacy Action Borum (Birmingham, AL), Unite for Darfur (MD), Use Your Vloice to Stop Genocide (RI), World Peace & Reconciliation (Arlington, VA)  

 

Keep Sudan a High Priority for Leadership and Action

Join Bipartisan Letter to President Obama

 

Dear Colleague,

We ask that you join us on sending the letter below to President Obama urging him to re-prioritize peace, accountability and protection of civilians in Sudan during his final year in office.  The human rights and humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to deteriorate. Rape, murder, the burning and looting of villages and mass displacement are, once again, commonplace in Darfur.  Bombing and starvation are the weapons of war used against the civilian populations of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.  And with the attention of the world so focused on other crises, including in South Sudan, the nightmare suffered by the people of Darfur, Blue Nile, South Kordofan and indeed throughout Sudan has faded from the front pages.  The United States needs to exercise its leadership in condemning Khartoum’s actions and coordinating a more effective international response.

Today, over 5 million people are in need of life-saving aid across Sudan.  Violence has intensified in recent years, with at least half a million people newly displaced in the last two years.  USAID’s Famine Early Warning System reports almost 4 million people at crisis levels of food insecurity and warns of increased food insecurity in 2016.  In Darfur, U.N. agencies report extreme levels of child malnutrition, and in South Kordofan, food insecurity is at emergency levels, which is just one level below famine.  These are a result of deliberate policies by the Sudanese government to deny life-saving humanitarian aid to communities in conflict areas.  Violence has also escalated over the control of gold mining, including local mines in northern Darfur, to continue to fund the conflict and its many atrocities.

As you are aware, the conflicts in Sudan have a long history.  As described by Congressional Research Service, rather than forging an identity that accommodated the country’s diverse peoples, customs and institutions, the Northern-led regimes espousing Islamist ideals have powered Sudan’s political history, forcing distant provinces to conform to the Arab-dominated center.  Khartoum chose to exacerbate racial, religious, cultural and linguistic differences.  For over 60 years, the Sudanese government has waged a series of wars, predominantly against “African” blacks, many of whom are Christian or practitioners of traditional religions, as well as Muslims.  Years of fighting in the southern part of the country led to the deaths of 2 million people and eventually the push for the independence of South Sudan in 2011.  But other parts of Sudan have remained under siege. The current regime, led by President Omar al-Bashir, has carried out a campaign of terror and murder against Sudan’s border states so severe that the U.S. government, in 2003, recognized that acts of genocide had been committed against the population of Darfur.  In October 2006, President Bush signed into law the bipartisan-supported Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, in which Congress gave the Administration additional tools to address this crisis, including the ability to sanction Sudanese officials considered to be contributing to the violation of human rights in Darfur.  In 2009, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, and in 2010 it added genocide to the list of charges.  As the investigation leading to the arrest warrant makes clear, the war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide are focused mainly on black African communities and peoples in Darfur, and those same acts have now been spread to other border regions, like Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

As it has in the past, the U.S. can make a difference in Sudan.  But it requires sustained efforts at the very highest level of our government.  To join us on the letter to President Obama, or for more information, please contact Cindy Buhl (McGovern) at cindy.buhl@mail.house.gov; Carson Middleton (Pitts) at carson.middleton@mail.house.gov; Eliza Ramirez (Capuano) ateliza.ramirez@mail.house.gov; Brandon Batch (McCaul) at brandon.batch@mail.house.gov; Diala Jadallah (Lee) at diala.jadallah@mail.house.gov; or Diana Cloutier (Fortenberry) atdiana.cloutier@mail.house.gov.

 

Sincerely,

 

James P. McGovern

Member of Congress

 

Joseph R. Pitts

Member of Congress

 

Michael E. Capuano

Member of Congress

 

Michael T. McCaul

Member of Congress

 

Barbara Lee

Member of Congress

 

Jeff Fortenberry

Member of Congress

 

————

 

Dear Mr. President,

Darfur has not gone away. As you know, the crisis has spread to other parts of Sudan, particularly South Kordofan and Blue Nile, as lifesaving aid has been blocked and aerial bombardments have targeted civilians and their crops exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Across Sudan severe human rights abuses continue.

Public and media attention may have waned, but the suffering of civilians has not. We urge you to enhance the U.S. approach to this conflict, and re-prioritize peace, accountability, and protection of civilians in Sudan in your last year in office.

We appreciate the efforts you have made with the Sudanese government to address and resolve the crisis in South Sudan, and the recent opening of Sudanese southern borders is a welcome development.  Such engagement, valuable on its own merits, must not preclude or overshadow the need for strong U.S. leadership and advocacy on the grave abuses and humanitarian crisis that persist and continue to worsen inside Sudan itself.

Today, over 5 million people are in need of life-saving aid across Sudan including at least 1.5 million who have been continually displaced since the Darfur genocide began in 2003. Violence has intensified in recent years, with at least half a million people newly displaced in the last two years. USAID’s Famine Early Warning System reports almost 4 million people at crisis levels of food insecurity and warns of increased food insecurity in 2016.  In Darfur, U.N. agencies report extreme levels of child malnutrition, and in some parts of South Kordofan, food insecurity may reach emergency levels, just one level below famine. While we welcome the fact that the United States remains the largest supplier of humanitarian aid to Sudan, those efforts are hollow if that aid cannot get to the people who need it most, or if the conflict continues to rage on indefinitely.

The Government of Sudan is directly responsible, bombing civilian targets and blocking or delaying both life-saving aid and supplies for UN peacekeepers. This intransigence is well documented. Violations of UN Security Council Resolutions including the ongoing bombing of civilians are consistently reported by the UN Panel of Experts. Nuba Reports, a local group of journalists reporting from within Sudan, has documented over 4,000 bombs dropped on civilian targets in South Kordofan and Blue Nile since 2012.

The United States has a number of ways that it can help influence the behavior of the Sudanese regime through the use of financial tools at its disposal. We urge the Obama Administration to enhance the current sanctions regime so that is focused to impact the calculations of the Sudanese regime’s top-level officials, by targeting  top level officials, financial institutions and other facilitators of the conflict. Similarly, the U.S. should utilize the good relations that the U.S has with countries in the Arab world that support Khartoum financially, to pressure  countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which are investing in Sudan and lending the regime money, to turn off the spigot until true reform and change occurs on the ground.

Additionally, we urge the administration to counter gold as a major source of funding for the conflict in Sudan, allowing it to continue its atrocities.  Please prioritize efforts to encourage industry associations to designate Sudan’s gold as conflict-affected. Gold has emerged as a top revenue earner for the Sudanese government after the secession of South Sudan deprived the regime of oil proceeds. The bulk of this gold is mined in the conflict region of Darfur and its extraction bears the hallmarks of grave human rights abuses. Penalizing the trade in Sudanese gold can help deprive the regime of a major source of revenue for its war machinery.

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir continues to travel with near impunity despite arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. This includes visits to India, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa with no apparent consequences. The lack of accountability has emboldened the Government of Sudan. Despite the documented uptick in violence and displacement the Government of Sudan has announced plans for dismantling displacement camps and has been demanding the removal of UN peacekeepers.

The United States can make a difference in Sudan by making it more difficult for the regime to continue to wage war against its own population. With sustained urgent attention and multilateral efforts, the United States can significantly contribute toward peace, accountability, and protection of civilians in Sudan. The genocide in Darfur is an issue you championed as a Senator and as you came into office as President.

The current situation in Darfur and throughout Sudan requires sustained efforts at the very highest level of our government.  Now, as much as ever, the people of Sudan need you to be a champion today.

 

By Jahna Paige, DWAG volunteer

Resentment from last year’s debacle, which injured South Africa’s reputation still lingers. South Africa’s assistance in helping al-Bashir flee instead of sending him to the ICC has caused the government to relinquish its role as a member of the ICC. While many have seen the country as a prime model of one that successfully challenged Apartheid with the likes of those such as Nelson Mandela, now criticisms can only be expressed. If the destruction of South Africa’s legitimacy and efficacy was not bad enough, the decision to withdraw South African troops from UNAMID before the scheduled rotation is worse. This outcome will only help to feed al-Bashir’s already monstrous ego and appetite by encouraging him to continue to disregard humanity, international law, and commit gross human rights violations.

Reasons for leaving

Money. Maintaining the South African troops’ deployment in Darfur is estimated to cost around $24 million. UNAMID is already overstretched and overburdened as it is.

Zuma has planned for the 850 South African troops to be deployed elsewhere- CAR, the DRC, and Burundi, where the brewing of a genocide is starting to take shape. While it is true that other areas in Africa are in need of attention and assistance, the urgency of situation in Darfur and the possibility of the spillover to the entire region are greatly worth South Africa rethinking its pathetic decision. Consequently, the lack of a continued international effort in Darfur will only exacerbate the problem. It will acknowledge that Darfur is in a peaceful state and that the international community should look elsewhere to solve the worlds’ worst human rights violations. Thus, it will allow Khartoum to continue its war campaign on the innocent civilians of Darfur without interruption or interference.

Issue of Timing

Feb 21, 2016- a child burns to death in the Jebel Marra raids. March 1, 2016- 9 raped, including minors, near North Darfur camp. March 7, 2016- More than 240 people starve to death in South Kordofan. As violence continues to escalate, one can only imagine the impact of Zuma’s decision. According to UN Reports, within the last 6 weeks of heavy fighting, more than 90,000 people have become displaced. Note that this figure is on top of the 3+ million people already displaced. Although UNAMID has not been particularly effective in its peacekeeping mission, the sheer presence of the force reinforces the fact that the situation in Darfur is still appalling and has not yet produced favorable results. It alerts al-Bashir that all eyes are on him and the situation in Darfur. Without a doubt, South Africa has chosen the worst time to withdraw its troops from an incredibly fragile setting combined with an unspeakable suffering Darfuri people face.

What does this mean for South Africa as an important regional player and a as a new democratic state advancing human rights within the global stage?

As mentioned above, South Africa has failed several times within the course of a year in terms of upholding the standards of international cooperation and human rights violations.

While South Africa will remain involved in the mission, in the form of a chief of deputy, it is unlikely that it will yield any positive result from the situation. Many perceive South Africa’s withdrawal as bowing to the Sudanese government. South Africa’s reputation was already tarnished, and its decision to withdraw only adds insult to injury. Governments and international organizations are becoming increasingly confused of South Africa’s position- a country known with a long struggle to defend the human rights of its own people, and as an accomplice of the gross human rights violations affecting Africans victims in Darfur.

The situation in Darfur is not better or worse than the system of Apartheid in which President Zuma and many ANC members fought to defeat. It is quite imperative that South African leaders be conscious in connecting their past, present and the future of their struggle to the struggle of their fellow African victims in Darfur, rather than sidelining with the perpetrators simply because they are powerful.