African-American legislators announce fast for Darfur

May 19, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Several US lawmakers announced a fast today in solidarity with the people of Darfur, imitating actress Mia Farrow, who recently completed a 12-day-long hunger strike.

More than a dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus appeared at a press conference alongside the actress to announce that they each in turn would fast for several days consuming only water, until ending the group protest in August.

Farrow, who repeatedly has visited Darfur refugees in Chad, called the fast a way to urge the US President not to ignore “the slaughter of innocents, the death of innocents.”

Speaking at the press conference, she insinuated that President Obama had retreated from his position that the expulsion of 16 humanitarian agencies from Darfur was “unacceptable.” US State Department officials after the March 4 expulsion order initially had repeatedly called on the President of Sudan to reverse the decision, but went silent after quietly winning a compromise solution.

Since taking office, the Obama administration’s envoy to Sudan has met with President Omer Al-Bashir’s closest aides in Khartoum, making a public pronouncement of friendship to reporters in the Sudanese capital.

According to a closed briefing given by Special Envoy Scott Gration at the US State Department on April 20, 2009, he had decided that the best way to improve the situation in Darfur is for the US government to position itself to become “friends” with the Government of Sudan.

Reserving her criticism for the US President, Farrow praised those who would participate in the act of solidarity. “Certainly I would never have dared to dream the hunger strike would go this far,” she reacted at her personal website.

“That my (very personal) decision to fast has led to such a moment in DC is more meaningful than I can say. I can’t quite believe it.”

Congressman Donald Payne, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, highlighted that they expect “a very vibrant policy toward Darfur” and Somalia, which he said has been “abandoned.” He added that he had already fasted several days last week.

Also present was Rep. John Lewis, a key figure of the US civil rights movement who last month was arrested in an act of civil disobedience at the Embassy of Sudan.

“What we’re ultimately demanding is that the United States government, that the Obama administration leads a peace process in Darfur,” said a statement from activist John Prendergast, representing the ENOUGH project against war crimes and genocide.

Darfur rebels are allegedly plotting a major offensive. They overran Kornoi in North Darfur last week after forcing out two Sudanese army brigades.

One year ago in May 2008, the rebel Justice and Equality Movement drew strong US condemnation for striking the Sudanese capital in a surprise assault.

(ST)