US Should enhance Plan B and explore options for intervention

By Jimmy Mulla

April 5, 2007 — The Bush Administration has exhausted all bilateral, and multilateral, diplomatic, political and economic measures to end the conflict in Sudan. However, the good intentions of the administration have continually been abused by the National Islamic Front government, which is disguised in the government of National Unity in Sudan under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The international community, on the other hand is critical of the U.S., (based on other outside factors,) but has done little in the South, and continues to do the minimum to end the genocide in Darfur.

Unlike during the Clinton era, the Bush administration has chosen constructive engagement with Khartoum as a means to resolve the crisis, but progress is slow. Under the auspicious of IGAD forum and Troika partners, the Bush administration played a critical role to broker the North-South comprehensive peace agreement that ended the 21 years of bloodshed in the South, where 2.5 million people were killed, 4.5 million were displaced internally, 1.5 million forced to take refuge in neighboring countries, and other forced into exile. The United States is the largest contributor of humanitarian aid, and the envy of the world, while continuing to renew economic sanctions imposed to bring about the desired change. Apart from brokering the Darfur Peace Agreement, the administration has appointed a special envoy to continue pursuing peace on the diplomatic front, and at the same time providing much needed humanitarian aid. The United States is the only country in the world that has called the situation in Darfur “genocide,” and the American public, from school-aged children to college students, have all poured their hearts out calling for an end to the genocide. The United States, through the UN Security Council, sponsored Resolution 1706 which was passed to get peace keepers to Darfur.

All the efforts of the United States are being undermined by the Khartoum government and derailed by China, Russia, the Arab league and other Islamic countries who have decided to turn a blind eye to the genocide for no apparent noble reason. The greater burden to end the genocide and bring peace and stability rests squarely on the United States as the leader of the free world, and the U.S. Administration has invested considerably in this. Looking at all that has been said and done, the executive and legislative branches and the American public under leadership of diverse coalitions like the Save Darfur Coalition, have few or no remaining options. The administration’s latest effort is “Plan B.” However, based on the records of previous agreements, and the current circumstances with respect to China and other potential Khartoum allies (who make odd bedfellows), Plan B will most likely not work. The only viable way for plan B to work is for the administration to add no-fly zone over Darfur, a sea blockade of Sudanese vessels, organize the rebel movement and supply them with ammunitions if necessary. The U.S could use such an aggressive plan “B” to yield immediate results. Nonetheless, before implementation of the Plan, China, Sudan and their allies, should be given one last ultimatum to allow for the watered down UN resolution, to which Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir has agreed, to take immediate effect. Should such an ultimatum fail, the administration and any other willing partners should go forward with a more aggressive approach such as the modified version of plan B.

The United States government/public on both sides of the political divide, the United Nations, the European Union, African Union, and nearly all peace loving nations around the world are sympathetic to the situation in Darfur, but sympathy alone will not end evil. The charges against Sudan are numerous, from committing genocide against its own people to hosting Osama bin Laden, aiding terrorists, religious persecution, spreading war to neighboring countries and causing regional instability. The government is responsible for the U.S embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the USS Cole bombing, obstructing justice by not cooperating with the ICC, and derailing the implementation of the agreement they have signed. For all these atrocities, according to one expert, the Khartoum government has not paid a price. How long the genocide will continue in Darfur depends entirely on the U.S branches of government, especially the legislative branch, because it has the authority to declare war based on the U.S constitution.

The bottom line is that the Bush administration needs help with this, and only the Congress and the American public can give him the green light. The Sudanese people, unlike others, have sacrificed dearly, and they are willing to make further sacrifices to achieve peace.

It is time for the U.S to explore and discuss the situation openly with the oppressed people of Sudan, so they can come to a mutual understanding and arrive at a win-win situation. From a military standpoint, the U.S will not face much of a challenge, and they have willing partners on the ground already. If nothing else works, the U.S government should employ the Clinton-era strategy, to eliminate the big devil, and see what changes would take effect as a result. Peace and stability in Sudan is good for the region, and having all the wealth and oil revenue in the hands of the murderers is not the best option for Sudan, America and the world. A strong U.S. response to Sudan’s history of aiding terrorists is overdue, and it is un-American to shy away from this situation.

To summarize and conclude:

– The government in Khartoum is a sponsor of international terrorism.
It has been linked to the U.S embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, USS Cole and first World Trade Center bombing assassination attempt on the life of the Egyptian President.
– They committed egregious atrocities in the South for 20 years, and now genocide in Darfur.
– The government has reneged on all the peace agreements it has signed.
– Khartoum has strong ties with Iran and it has not severed links with terrorist organizations.
– The international community is not doing enough, and no goodwill is expected out of Khartoum.
– The current Plan B will not end the suffering or bring the desired results promptly.
– It is time the United States take decisive action to end the years of mayhem in Sudan, and bring the culprits to justice.

The author is the President of Southern Sudan Voice of Freedom. He can be reached at [email protected]