U.S. must lead Security Council to act in Darfur

AFRICA ACTION

– Contact: Ann-Louise Colgan (202) 546-7961

Upcoming U.S. Presidency of Security Council Provides Moment for new Darfur Resolution; Growing Public Pressure for International Intervention to Protect People
of Darfur

Jan 5, 2006 (WASHINGTON, DC) — As senior United Nations
(UN) officials confirm a marked deterioration in the security situation
in Darfur, Sudan, Africa Action urges the U.S. to use the opportunity of
its presidency of the UN Security Council next month to introduce a new
resolution on Darfur. A new U.S. resolution on Darfur must respond to
the urgent need for an expanded security presence on the ground by
“re-hatting” the existing African Union operation as a UN mission with a
robust mandate to protect civilians and humanitarian operations, and by
authorizing a UN peacekeeping force to be deployed to the region as soon
as possible.

Ann-Louise Colgan, Director of Policy Analysis & Communications at
Africa Action, said today, “Next month, as President of the Security
Council, the U.S. will have a unique opportunity to stop the genocide in
Darfur by initiating UN action on this crisis. As civilians face
increasing violence and deprivation in Darfur, and as humanitarian
operations encounter constant threats, a robust UN protection force is
urgently needed in Darfur. February is the make or break month for U.S.
action to stop the first genocide of the 21st century.”

Ahead of next month’s U.S. presidency of the Security Council, public
activism on the crisis in Darfur is increasing across the country. The
White House has already received more than 10,000 postcards from people
of conscience, urging the President to take action to stop the genocide.
This week, Darfur-related vigils are taking place each day in
Washington, DC to increase awareness of the ongoing crisis. Elsewhere
around the country, a growing number of vigils, exhibits and religious
services are highlighting the urgent need for civilian protection in Darfur.

Marie Clarke Brill, Director of Public Education & Mobilization at
Africa Action, said today, “The Bush Administration faces escalating
public pressure for action to stop the genocide in Darfur. Ahead of next
month’s critical moment for U.S. action on Darfur, a series of major
events and actions across the country will spotlight this crisis and
demand U.S. leadership at the UN in February. Concerned citizens will
judge President Bush’s true commitment to a “culture of life” by his
Administration’s response to the genocide in Darfur, which continues to
unfold on his watch.”

On February 1st, the first day of the U.S. presidency of the UN Security
Council, Africa Action will hold a major mobilization in Washington, DC
to call on the Bush Administration to introduce a new resolution at the
UN to “re-hat” the AU mission and to immediately authorize a UN
intervention to protect the people of Darfur.

For further analysis on the crisis in Darfur and the opportunity for
U.S. action at the UN Security Council next month, see
http://www.africaaction.org/darfur .