On September 10th, the government of Sudan launched attacks on civilians at the ZamZam Camp for internally displaced persons in Darfur.  This new violence follows other recent attacks including the one at the Kalma camp on August 25.  In the wake of this escalating violence and insecurity, the UN’s World Food Program announced that it may be forced to stop food deliveries, leaving millions without assistance.

These brutal attacks on civilians coincide with reports of efforts within the international community to get the U.N. Security Council to bargain away accountability and justice for more empty promises from Sudan.  Bashir has launched an aggressive propaganda campaign to escape justice, including blackmailing the global community by threatening to expel UNAMID peacekeepers if the ICC issues a warrant for his arrest.

The UN should listen to the Darfuri people’s cry for peace with justice instead of Bashir’s demand for immunity for the crime of genocide.  When we speak to refugees in the camps, they tell us that peace will not come before justice.

As Presidential candidates, Senators McCain and Obama must be prepared to uphold justice and peace for Darfur.  The first step is for both Obama and McCain to support the ICC case.