Congressman Sander Levin

Stopping the Violence in Darfur

I believe the United States must do far more to break the cycle of that grips Darfur and address the dire humanitarian needs of Darfuri refugees.

As the tragedy in Darfur, the Western province of Sudan, continues into its sixth year, it is clear more must be done by the United States and other nations to find an end to the conflict. An estimated 300,000 people have died from violence, starvation, and disease, and approximately 2.7 million people have fled or been forced from their homes.

While negotiations between the Sudanese government and the Justice and Equality Movement, the largest anti-government faction in Darfur, are underway, it remains irrefutable that the Sudanese government is responsible for the devastation we have witnessed. In March, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir expelled thirteen humanitarian assistance agencies from the country, posing immediate threat to the safety and survival needs of over 1 million Darfurians. It is believed the expulsions were in retaliation for the International Criminal Court’s indictment against President al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Court has also filed indictments against the Sudanese Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and the leader of the Janjaweed militia.

The United States was one of the first countries to label the crisis a genocide and President Obama recently appointed a Special Envoy for Sudan to work with other countries towards a solution. I strongly support the work of UNAMID, the peacekeeping partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, but the number of troops needed to effectively protect the residents of Darfur far exceeds the number of troops available. Action must also come from China, Sudan’s largest trading partner, and fellow Arab states, who have diplomatic relationships with Sudan and whose continued silence on this issue is unconscionable.

In 2009, we increased funding for military and humanitarian assistance to conflict zones in Sudan. $1.57 billion will go to international peacekeeping efforts and will fully fund the United States’ commitment to UNAMID. An additional $16 million will go to training and equipping African Union troops to support the work of UNAMID. Southern Sudan will receive $254 million for economic development assistance.

We have taken a number of steps to stop the violence in Darfur, but we must do more. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Sudan, I am committed to raising awareness and advocacy. A solution can only come, however, from the entire international community. It is our responsibility to work together to stop these crimes against humanity.