Poll shows Americans support US role in Sudan’s Darfur

WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, June 1, 2005 (ICG) — Over 80 per cent of Americans support a tougher international response to the current situation in Darfur, a new International Crisis Group/Zogby poll* finds. This includes backing for military measures, sanctions and International Criminal Court prosecutions against the Sudanese government and its leaders responsible for the tragedy.

In May 2005, Crisis Group commissioned the respected Zogby International polling firm to explore U.S. public attitudes about the situation in Darfur and what steps Americans felt were warranted in response. Among 1,000 Americans surveyed, results indicate that short of inserting U.S. combat troops on the ground to protect civilians, there is greater public backing for the U.S. to play a leadership role in stemming this catastrophe than has been the conventional wisdom in Washington.

Key voter demographics — including Hispanics, Jews, 18-29-year olds, married adults, college graduates, residents of the east and west, men, and people with household incomes over U.S.$75,000 — were most likely to support robust international action.

Among key Crisis Group/Zogby findings:

– 80 per cent agreed that the Janjaweed attacks on civilian populations in Darfur can accurately be called “genocide” or “crimes against humanity”, with response higher among Republicans (82 per cent) than Democrats (79 per cent);
– 84 per cent said the U.S. should not tolerate an extremist government committing such attacks and should use its military assets, short of putting U.S. troops on the ground, to help stop them;
– 91 per cent said the U.S. should cooperate with the International Criminal Court to help bring to justice those accused of crimes against humanity;
– Strong majorities supported tough sanctions on Sudanese leaders who control the militias (81 per cent), a no-fly zone over Darfur (80 per cent), and NATO logistical and troop support for an expanded African peacekeeping force (76 per cent).

Given the Crisis Group/Zogby findings, it is hoped Washington will take a stronger role in convincing the international community to embrace concerted and direct efforts to end the tragedy of Darfur.

To read more about this poll, please go at: Crisis Group/Zogby Poll on Darfur