Danforth adds voice to unanswered appeal for U.S. special envoy
January 29, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – The former senator who led U.S. efforts to broker a 2005 peace deal in Sudan appealed to President Barack Obama to appoint a special envoy to Sudan.
Obama “should appoint a high-level envoy who reports directly to him to be responsible for U.S. policy towards Sudan and provide this diplomat with sufficient resources and personnel to do the job,” wrote Danforth in an opinion article published Tuesday in The Huffington Post.
This appeal has also been voiced by U.S. activist groups.
Danforth stressed that Sudan is in danger of sliding back into an all-out civil war between northern and southern forces, which would also aggravate the ongoing war in Darfur.
The former Missouri senator and ambassador praised the U.S. role in the negotiations that led to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended Sudan’s 22-year civil war, defending his decision to continue the mediation even during the worst period of violence in Darfur.
“The CPA was a triumph for the government of Sudan and the people of the south. Now the agreement is in danger, strained by rising tensions between north and south and insufficient attention by the international community. The CPA could well collapse this year, restarting an old war and perhaps aggravating the ongoing war in Darfur. However, the incoming Obama administration can reduce this threat by moving quickly to support the CPA,” wrote Danforth.
Obama, who took office last week, has repeatedly voiced his intention to “end genocide,” which is largely a reference to Darfur. But thus far he has not appointed a special envoy for Sudan, leaving the role vacant after the departure of Bush’s most recent envoy, Richard Williamson.
Many international observers and organizations commemorated the fourth anniversary of the CPA on January 9 with dire warnings that the peace deal could collapse.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the National Congress Party, the two parties to the agreement, currently have a tenuous and ambiguous partnership.
Key provisions of the CPA’s strict timetable are extremely delayed, including election preparations, border demarcation, passage of press and security laws consistent with the interim constitution instituted by the CPA, and formation of joint integrated military units by the two former warring rivals.
“It is easier to preserve an existing peace, no matter how fragile, than to stop a new war,” stated Danforth.
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Chameleon Chameleon
Danforth adds voice to unanswered appeal for U.S. special envoy
Dear Danforth,
Thanks a lot for proposing that Obama administration should nominate special envoy to Sudana. Thus, I believe that you’re the one who kept monitoring and track peace between North & the South until they finally signed. I also want to thank you for being helpful and sympathetic about the people of Sudan and particular Southerners.
Kuer
Danforth adds voice to unanswered appeal for U.S. special envoy
Well said Mr. former senator, ambassador, and special envoy. Majority of Sudanese, South Sudanese in particular, have long heard and appreciated your genuine concern for their cause. They will continue applaud your support whether or not you are still a special envoy to Sudan. Your message to President Obama is very vital not only to US foreign policy toward Sudan but also to the survival of that 2005 milestone peace pact known as Comprehensive Peace Agree (CPA). I hope the President will hear this message with his two ears and give it a priority, if at all he meant what he said: “Ending genocide” and caring for those who have suffered unjusticely under brutal regimes!
Again, thank you Mr. John Danforth.