Recent Darfur attacks show need for UN peacekeepers

Thursday, May 10, 2007 (Washington, DC) – In the wake of renewed
government aerial bombardments in North Darfur, reported yesterday by
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Africa Action today
stressed that civilians in Darfur remain acutely vulnerable to violent
attacks in this ongoing genocide. The organization further emphasized
that the U.S. mission at the UN, during its current presidency of the
Security Council, must act to ensure the deployment of a peacekeeping
force to Darfur to protect non-combatants from such attacks.

Nii Akuetteh, Executive Director of Africa Action, said today, “The
international community, with the U.S. as a key member, keeps saying it
will act to end the violence in Darfur. Recent attacks by the Sudanese
government clearly illustrate that international action thus far has
been insufficient. The U.S. must work now to advance Darfur on the UN
Security Council agenda for this month and use this crucial opportunity
to make the deployment of peacekeepers a reality.”

Attacks in North Darfur over the past three weeks have increased the
number of people displaced by violence, adding to the more than 2.5
million already forced from their homes. This upsurge in refugees and
internally displaced persons has strained the already stretched capacity
of aid agencies operating in the region. The efforts of humanitarian aid
workers are threatened, as they continue to face attacks and their
ability to access large segments of the population is compromised.

An Amnesty International report this week also revealed that Russia and
China have broken the UN arms embargo against Sudan in their continued
military transactions. Africa Action stated that the U.S., as president
of the Security Council, must shed light on such violations within that
UN body and ensure that the international community is united in
opposition to genocide in Darfur.

Africa Action recently released a statement on the next steps for the
U.S. during its presidency of the Security Council this month. This
statement, entitled “A Chance to Change Course in Darfur” is available
here: http://www.africaaction.org/newsroom/docs/MaySCDarfurStatement.pdf.

Africa Action continues to work with groups around the country in
planning “Sprints for Darfur” to highlight the need for protection and
security on the ground. More information about this project can be found
here: http://www.sprintfordarfur.com/