British stars urge govt to press for end to fighting in Darfur

Sept 16, 2006 (LONDON) — Leading British film and music stars urged the government Saturday to help end fighting in Darfur, after Prime Minister Tony Blair called the situation in the violence-wracked Sudanese region unacceptable.

Musicians Elton John and Annie Lennox, musician-campaigner Bob Geldof, actress Emma Thompson and Body Shop founder Anita Roddick were among those who signed an open letter accusing the international community of failing to act.

The letter said Darfur “is teetering on the edge of catastrophe.”

“Meanwhile, the international community prevaricates and the African Union even considers withdrawing its peacekeepers,” it said.

“We call on our government to move Darfur to the top of its priority list until a U.N. force is deployed and the people of Darfur are protected.”

The conflict in Darfur began in early 2003 when ethnic African tribes revolted against the Khartoum government. The Arab-dominated Sudanese government has been accused of unleashing Arab militiamen known as Janjaweed who have been blamed for widespread atrocities, including rapes and killings.

U.N. officials have estimated the death toll at between 180,000 and 200,000. More than 2 million people have been driven from their homes.

The mandate of an underfunded 7,000-strong African Union force in Darfur expires at the end of the month, and the Sudanese government has resisted the deployment of a multinational force authorized by the United Nations Security Council.

In a statement released ahead of Sunday’s International Day for Darfur campaign, Blair urged international pressure on the Sudanese government and rebels to stop fighting immediately.

“Last May, we hoped the signature of the Darfur Peace Agreement by the government of Sudan and one rebel group would set Darfur on the road to peace,” Blair said.

“The non-signatory rebel groups must now accept it. And the government of Sudan must stop its military campaign.”

The British premier said the coming weeks were “crucial.”

“Sudan will stay at the top of my agenda,” he added.

On Thursday, Oscar-winning actor George Clooney and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Elie Wiesel urged members of the U.N. Security Council to help end atrocities in the region.

On Sunday, senior religious leaders plan to gather outside Blair’s 10 Downing Street residence to offer prayers for peace in Darfur.

The head of the Church of England, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, released the text of a prayer “for the peoples of Darfur who are haunted by fear of violence, hunger and hopelessness, that they may continue to be fed, visited and defended.”

“We pray for the work of peacekeepers, negotiators and the humanitarian organizations that security may prevail,” he said.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra are also due to prepare prayers for the event.

(AP/ST)