It seems no good news is on the way for the people of Darfur, who will suffer yet another blow come September 30.
The United States has announced it will stop providing any additional funding for the African Union peacekeeping mission after the AU's mandate expires at the end of September. In attempt to save face, US officials recently pledged $116 million for the AU peacekeeping force at a donors' conference in Brussels -- yet the money from the pledge was already appropriated on June 15.
More information -- and what you can do -- behind the fold.
AU troops are already
stretched too thin due to lack of funding and personnel and are barely able to sustain a peacekeeping mission. With no new funds and mandate expiration in the near future, the people of Darfur will be left vulnerable and exposed to those perpetrating genocide more than ever before.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer has said the United States hopes a UN peacekeeping force will enter the country by the end of September, making for a smooth transition. "To protect innocent lives in Darfur, we need an international peacekeeping operation with the capability to address the complexity of the challenges," Frazer said, which is certainly true.
Yet the expectation of a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur by September a figment of her imagination, and Frazer must be delusional to believe UN forces will be able to implement an adequate and efficient peacekeeping mission in such a short amount of time. Considering a UN resolution has not been passed and the government of Sudan has not given permission for UN troops to enter the region, it is extremely unlikely that a UN force will enter the region this year. In fact, a more realistic timetable would not have a UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur until sometime early next year -- that's right, 2007.
"The lack of action taken by the United States to sustain peacekeeping troops in Darfur is appalling," said Genocide Intervention Network Executive Director Mark Hanis. "The only way violence in Darfur will cease is through a robust peacekeeping force, and it is the responsibility of the United States and the international community to support this force."
To make the people of Darfur wait that long for basic civilian protection is a travesty. Aid agencies and the EU have already expressed "grave concern" that the region is on the brink of collapse. Since the passing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May, vicious attacks have increased, and Darfur continues on a downward spiral.
Yet again, the current administration is turning its back on AU troops -- and more atrociously, on the people of Darfur. Nearly two years have passed since Congress passed the resolution declaring genocide in Darfur, but the killing and raping continues. Apparently the promise "never again" only applies when it is convenient.
This lack of action is criminal. It's an absolute disgrace that we have yet to learn our lesson, even after the horrendous genocides in the Balkans and Rwanda that are little more than a decade old. I propose we bombard Frazer's office with phone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails -- whatever it takes to know that this meager and shameful attempt to appease the international community is absolutely unacceptable.
Free fax from the Genocide Intervention Network
Call Jendayi Frazer: (202) 647-2530
E-mail Jendayi Frazer: frazerje@state.gov
Write Jendayi Frazer:
Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer
Bureau of African Affairs
US Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520