Africa Action slams Natsios’ denial of genocide in Darfur

Monday, February 12, 2007 (Washington, DC) – Africa Action today harshly criticized U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios for his recent
claim that the crisis in Darfur no longer constitutes “genocide.” In a
presentation at Georgetown University on February 7, Natsios said, “The
term genocide is counter to the facts of what is really occurring in
Darfur.” Africa Action emphasized today that Natsios’ statement
represents a significant shift in U.S. policy on this crisis, and
contradicts numerous reports from the region, which confirm that the
government-sponsored genocide is continuing in Darfur.

Nii Akuetteh, Executive Director of Africa Action, said today, “Natsios’
declaration that genocide is no longer occurring in Darfur denies the
reality on the ground, and conflicts with numerous statements from the
White House and State Department over the past two years. This is more
than a semantic change. Natsios’ claim represents a calculated attempt
to re-characterize the crisis, undermine its urgency, and obviate the
need for new U.S. action to address it.”

Africa Action emphasizes that the definition of “genocide” laid out in
the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of
Genocide continues to describe the realities in Darfur. The organization
notes that the “intent” of the Sudanese government to destroy, in whole
or in part, specific African communities in Darfur is clear from
documentary evidence, from the pattern of attacks and from the testimony
of witnesses in the region. Furthermore, the five types of violent acts
described in the Convention continue to be visited upon the people of
Darfur, including widespread killings, the infliction of bodily and
mental harm through rape and other crimes, and the deliberate
destruction of livelihoods throughout Darfur.

Ann-Louise Colgan, Director of Policy Analysis & Communications at
Africa Action, said today, “Reports from the United Nations, the African
Union, and human rights groups confirm that the Sudanese government
continues its attacks on civilians, and has stepped up its support for
Janjaweed militias in Darfur. The genocide is ongoing, and this reality
must be confronted, not denied, by the Bush Administration. Natsios’
statement represents a further step backward in the U.S. response to
this crisis.”

As Natsios continues to threaten the Sudanese government with a
mysterious “Plan B” if it does not cooperate with the U.S. and the
international community on Darfur, Africa Action emphasized today that
this empty threat is no substitute for a U.S. plan of action to stop the
violence and protect civilians in Darfur.

Marie Clarke Brill, Director of Public Education & Mobilization at
Africa Action, said today, “Activists across the country are outraged by
Natsios’ denial of genocide in Darfur and by the continued absence of a
U.S. strategy to address this worsening crisis. Threats of “Plan B” from
the Bush Administration have left Khartoum unfazed. The death toll is
mounting, and the U.S. must act now to stop the escalating violence by
the Sudanese government and to provide protection to civilians and
humanitarian operations in Darfur.”

Africa Action notes that almost six months have now elapsed since the
passage of Resolution 1706 at the United Nations (UN) Security Council,
and that no progress has yet been made towards the deployment of the
authorized UN peacekeeping force for Darfur. Later this month, Africa
Action will release a new analysis of the failures of the U.S. and the
international community to challenge Khartoum’s obstruction and
implement Resolution 1706.

Africa Action continues to advocate a new diplomatic offensive from the
U.S. to break the current deadlock on Darfur. For more information, see
Africa Action’s report “Leveraging New International Action on Darfur”:
http://www.africaaction.org/resources/page.php?op=read&documentid=2235&type=6&issues=1024