An Escalation in Violence Begs a Renewed Commitment

November 25, 2008

According to an article published by the Associated Press and dated Thursday, November 20th, violence has once again escalated in Darfur. Among the casualties of the latest clashes in the villages of Koriba and Sasa, North Darfur are five rebels and one soldier. The Sudanese government and the rebels have since exchanged accusations regarding who started the fighting. Damanga’s correspondents on the ground have confirmed the attacks, and confirmed even worse fears. The government of al-Bashir was behind the attacks. Just as Damanga had anticipated in recent press releases, entitled “Sudan Proposes a Fake Peace Initiative in Darfur” and “Posturing We Must Watch With Reservation,” this new ceasefire was just another government tactic to catch the Sudanese people off-guard. The newest battle marks an escalation of violence in Darfur, which has slipped from the pages of most “noteworthy” newspapers.

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is concerned about this new escalation of violence. It comes only a week after the president declared a ceasefire and a day after the ICC began the proceedings for arrest warrants for three unnamed rebel commanders. The Damanga Coalition would warn the American public that, taken together, these emerging incidents and failures in mitigation represent a further entrenchment of the conflict, which is becoming increasingly difficult for the joint UN-AU force to quell.

This is the time to deploy more peacekeepers. The UNAMID force was meant to be the largest on record, 26,000 strong. Current estimates suggest that the figure may reach only just over 12,000 by the end of the year. World leaders and citizens must push for further deployment. Only a strong presence of international coalition forces firmly committed to the peacekeeping effort can save Darfur. Presidential rhetoric and public condemnation will no longer suffice. Now is the time for action.