In an article at Fredericksburg 21 August 2005, John Prendergast, a leading Sudan expert who travels frequently to Darfur, is quoted as saying:
"The standard as to whether or not the situation is improving in Darfur must not be mortality or malnutrition rates, but rather whether the two and a half million displaced people feel safe enough to return home. Not one of them does. The situation remains urgent."The article goes on to say:
"Prendergast's organization, the International Crisis Group, has been advocating a more robust response to the genocide. The group has put forth these recommendations:Full story [via Contango - with thanks]A stronger mandate for the AU forces on the ground in Darfur, to enable them to undertake any measures necessary to prevent attacks or threats to civilians and relief workers. The existing mandate does not allow AU soldiers to intervene to stop attacks, or launch offensive operations to ensure security in the region.
A rapid reinforcement of AU troops, with adequate support from the West, to boost the number of personnel to more than 12,000 in 60 days. The current AU plan calls for about 7,500 troops on the ground by next month and 12,300 by next spring. The ICG believes the latter is the minimal number of troops needed to provide security for an area about the size of Texas.
A NATO "bridging force" for Darfur if the AU cannot quickly increase troop numbers to an adequate level."
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3.5 million Darfuris need food
According to the UN World Food Program 3.5 million Darfuris need food, writes Eric Reeves in June 2005.
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Anarchy reigns
Right now, as you are reading this, the security situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate. Darfur rebel groups are falling out with each other and splitting into several factions. Countless number of men in Darfur are getting away with looting, rape and murder. Bandits roam with no fear of arrest. Anarchy reigns while women and children suffer.
"Both rebels and government must understand that, "If these incidents continue, it will impede humanitarian assistance and delivery," the UN Secretary-General is quoted as saying on Monday, 10 October 2005.
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Genocide Intervention Fund
Last year, some amazing American students started the Genocide Intervention Fund (GIF) and have already raised enough cash to support an African Union security team in Darfur to guard displaced women from being raped.
Read the students' incredible story published in the New York Times 9 October 2005 - and posted at Passion of the Present.
GIF is receiving donations online from around the world.
Word will soon reach the frightened women and girls of Darfur that private citizens around the world are doing their best to bring more help.
Please help by linking to GIF and/or clicking here to donate whatever you can afford, even if it is just the cost of a cake or cinema ticket. From little acorns grow trees. Politicians will take note when the fund really grows.
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Darfur 'is sliding back into chaos'
See African Union Security Council Statement 11 Oct 2005 on deteriorating security in Darfur
And Scotsman report 11 October 2005 - excerpt:
'Juan Mendez, the UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide, said the only reason why there had not been more violence against villagers in Darfur was that there were no more villagers to attack. Some two million have gathered in camps and are entirely dependent on humanitarian aid.
"We have not turned the corner," Mendez told reporters days after returning from a trip to the region and delivering a report to the UN Security Council. "I found the situation much more dangerous and worrisome than I expected it to be."
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U.S. blocks UN briefing on atrocities in Darfur Sudan
US Ambassador John Bolton raised the possibility of new sanctions against Sudan, saying the UN Security Council needed to do more about Darfur's worsening security. He later said that one possibility was to put more controls on weapons flowing into the country.'
Photo: US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, an advocate of drastic changes in the way the world body operates, seen here in September 2005, opposed a briefing of the council on Darfur by UN chief Kofi Annan's special adviser for the prevention of genocide. (AFP/Brendan Smialowski)
Photo: EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. "The EU is going to put all its pressure on the rebels and the Sudanese government so they understand that a political solution is the only solution," he said after talks Oct 11 with African Union chief Alpha Oumar Konare.
Solana travelled last week to Sudan and neighbouring Chad, which has been flooded with 200,000 refugees from Darfur. (AFP/ST) 11 Oct 2005.
Photo: Recently burnt homes in Tawilla, Darfur - see breaking news story at IRIN 11 October 2005: Violence forces many to flee North Darfur.
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Save money and donate by fasting for Darfur
Photo found at flickr today, courtesy www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/49983119/
View how the T-shirt's message was made at http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/tags/darfur/
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Some responses from bloggers [more will appear here, if and when received]
Oct 11 Luisetta Mudie at Global Voices Online points to call for bloggers around the world to link to GIF.
Oct 11 From the White African: Sudan: Will it Ever End?
Oct 11: About Mr Bolton not having time to listen to the latest briefing as he is so busy actually doing something about the atrocities, Contango says it's time to act and links to Genocide Intervention Fund.
Oct 12 Kirkland at The Ruth Group links to GIF and Students Taking Action Now: Darfur - [note their terrific Sponsor-a-Camp Initiative]
Oct 13 Luke writes More Sudan at DSTP for War blog and links to Genocide Intervention Fund.
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