Damanga Applauds Sanctions, But Says Peacekeepers Are Still Urgently Needed

May 31 , 2007

Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy welcomes new steps taken this week by President Bush to put pressure on the government of Sudan to stop the violence in Darfur.

According to the International Herald Tribune and other major newspapers, in a speech on May 29, President Bush reiterated the U.S. view that the atrocities in Darfur constitute genocide. He announced stiffer economic sanctions against Sudan. He also urged the international community, especially the United Nations, to impose additional sanctions against Sudan.

President Bush was highly critical of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, saying, "President Bashir's actions over the past few weeks follow a long pattern of promising cooperation while finding new methods for obstruction,"

Adding to existing sanctions against about 100 Sudanese companies, President Bush has imposed sanctions on an additional 31 companies and against several individuals accused of war crimes. It is a crime for any U.S. company or individual to knowingly do business with any of these companies. The President’s new measures also include directing Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to work more intensively with Great Britain and other allies to impose broad international sanctions.

Currently, economic sanctions are opposed by China, Russia, and South Africa. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has decided to pursue a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Darfur. President Bush said in his speech that he has agreed to allow those diplomatic efforts to continue. However, he also warned, "The time for promises is over—President Bashir must act."

Damanga thanks President Bush on behalf of Darfur people for his serious initiative. Damanga pledges to work with the President and all Americans, as well as the rest of the world, to stop the genocide. But we emphasize that more must be done.

Damanga believes that U.N. peacekeepers must be deployed immediately to Darfur in order to make peace a reality. The international community must also help refugees return home and rebuild their destroyed villages. Damanga believes that security will not be fully provided without a hybrid U.N. and African Union peacekeeping force numbering over 27,000. Damanga urges the U.S. to take leadership of those troops. We also urge the whole international community to fully cooperate with the U.S., the U.N., and the European Union to stop the genocide now.

Any delays will certainly cost more lives in Darfur and will undermine the credibility of the entire international community. Action is a question of conscience and moral obligation. Stronger steps must be taken now.