damanga commends williamson's stance

March 06, 2008

        The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy praises the fervent stance of US Envoy to Sudan, Richard Williamson. Williamson insists that UNAMID deployment occur immediately and he encourages that participating countries commit ground troops while logistical arrangements, particularly the use of helicopters, are organized. Deployment of the full UNAMID force, including 26,000 peacekeepers, has been delayed due to a rebellion in Chad last month. Additionally, deployment continues to stagger as the Government of Khartoum obstructs the admittance of international peacekeepers, preferring to keep the mission in the hands of the African Union. However, as the humanitarian crisis worsens and violence increases, Williamson agrees that action is necessary.

      In order to accelerate deployment, a new subdivision, Friends of UNAMID, has been created. Friends of UNAMID, including the United States, EU, Britain, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Tanzania, and Canada will participate in training and deploying troops to ensure the UNAMID presence in Darfur. At this time, it has become evident that Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir will continue to hinder the UNAMID mission. Al-Bashir’s prevention of international intervention needs to trigger international action, specifically full implementation of UNAMID, as this mission is essential to securing stability in Darfur.