Referenda Countdown: Do Not Forget Darfur

As Sudan moves closer to deciding whether to divide itself in two, we must not forget Darfur. Millions of Darfuri civilians continue to live in squalid camps, exposed to more violence, disease, hunger, and rape. There have been continuous reports of increased bombings by the Government of Sudan and fighting with the rebels, with innocent civilians being the main victims.

Tell Dennis McDonough, Acting National Security Council Chief of Staff, to press for the prompt appointment of a Special Envoy to Darfur. (Action will generate a fax to the White House, where the National Security Council is housed.)

Subject: Referenda Countdown: Do Not Forget Darfur

Your Letter:

Dear Mr. McDonough:

There have been continuous reports of bombings and fighting in Darfur, even as Ambassador Rice visits Sudan.  Throughout the year, the situation in Darfur has deteriorated again, with increased civilian deaths and displacement. Many of the areas most affected by heavy military clashes remain inaccessible to aid agencies, resulting in limited assistance for the people most affected by the violence.  Ambassador Rice has recently expressed concern about the "disturbing uptick" in the Darfur conflict. Yet the United States needs to do more than simply express its concern when civilian lives are at risk.

We ask you to do all in your power to have President Obama promptly appoint and dispatch a seasoned diplomat with regional expertise as Special Envoy to Darfur.  This envoy is needed to supplement the U.S. diplomatic presence in South Sudan as the referenda draw near.  While the importance of North/South issues is critical, it is also critical that the United States maintain an all-Sudan focus and dedicate the needed resources to support effective civilian protection in Darfur, promote the rights of the displaced, and to support an inclusive peace process in Darfur.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important appointment.

Denis McDonough

National Security Council, White House

Sudan Now is a campaign led by a group of prominent anti-genocide and human rights advocacy organizations committed to bringing meaningful and lasting peace to Sudan and encouraging strong American leadership and action to achieve this goal. The campaign challenges President Barack Obama and top U.S. administration officials to live up to their promises to take strong and immediate action to help end the international crisis in Sudan and bring a lasting peace to the people of that country. Participating organizations include the Enough Project at the Center for American Progress, Save Darfur Coalition, Genocide Intervention Network, Humanity United, Stop Genocide Now, and Investors Against Genocide.