Damanga Urges Caution in Light of Reported Agreement on Ceasefire in Darfur

January 11, 2007

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy today urged extreme caution following reports of a new agreement yesterday between Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Governor Bill Richardson, calling for the enforcement of a ceasefire in Darfur and prompt implementation of a hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping mission.  Only two weeks ago, President Bashir agreed to similar terms, only to once again renege on his commitment to allow non-African peacekeeping troops in Sudan.

Mohamed Yahya, the Executive Director of Damanga, said today, “We appreciate the efforts of those who are trying to stop this genocide and secure a ceasefire.  But if Mr. Richardson and others still believe this government will fulfill its agreements, they are fooling themselves.  The Bashir regime is responsible for millions of deaths—not only in Darfur, but in conflicts in southern Sudan and elsewhere in the country.  In each case, the government has hid behind the good publicity of international agreements and a purported commitment to peace, even while continuing to carry out its violent campaigns.”

Darfur is witnessing the widespread and systemic destruction of an entire people.  Although the possibility of a ceasefire in Darfur is certainly an event to be welcomed, Damanga sees no reason that United Nations peacekeepers should not already be on the ground in force in Darfur.  A mandate has existed for a UN peacekeeping mission since the approval in August, 2006 of Security Council Resolution 1706.  Through political maneuvering and manipulation of the international press, Khartoum has continued to stall while its troops and proxy Janjaweed have continued to kill and rape innocent civilians in Darfur.  It is unacceptable that the UN, the United States, the African Union and the European Union have been willing to play political games with Sudan.  In doing so they have granted the Bashir regime legitimacy, despite its history of rising to power through a military coup, its support for global terrorism, and its sanctioning of genocide within its own borders.

Damanga believes the United States government, the United Nations, and all nations of conscience must demand immediate deployment of at least 20,000 peacekeeping troops to Darfur.  To accept anything less, regardless of any new high-profile agreements, is to accept continued failure.