An open letter to President Bashir

January 20, 2006

An Open Letter to His Excellency, Omar al-Bashir President of The Sudan

Dear Mr. President:

As advocates for a just and lasting peace for all Sudanese, we are concerned that if Sudan accepts the leadership of the African Union in the immediate future, it will have a negative impact on the fragile Darfur peace process. Therefore we encourage you, Mr. President, to graciously decline that position at this time. You have stated your desire to see a cessation of the conflict and resulting humanitarian distress in the western region of your nation. Perhaps this can happen in
the next year if those talks in Nigeria continue.

Since Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has so ably
discharged the responsibilities of the office, he may be the best person to continue in that position at this sensitive time.

We ask you to step aside at this time to demonstrate the
sincerity with which you seek peace and to avoid even the
appearance of conflict of interest.

Sincerely,

– William D. Andress, Jr.
– Moderator, Sudan Advocacy Action Forum