WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sudan Now campaign, which
comprises several human rights and anti-genocide groups, commends the Obama
Administration for constructing a clear statement of U.S. policy in support of
a sustainable peace in Sudan. However, the Administration's diplomatic
efforts to date have led member organizations to question whether the policy,
as articulated today, will be fully implemented in the days ahead. Success
will require President Obama, Vice President Biden and Secretary of State
Clinton to live up to campaign promises and ensure that consequences are put
into practice now for committing mass atrocities and undermining peace
efforts. Sudan Now will continue the policy discussion on a press conference
call today at 11:00 a.m. EDT. Please dial (877) 276-7541 (inside the U.S.) or
(706) 643-2675 (international) and use the Conference ID #: 36616815 to
access.
Randy Newcomb, president of Humanity United, said: "We are glad the policy
review has finally been completed, particularly given the urgency of the
situation on the ground in Sudan. The Administration said many of the right
things about Sudan today. But a sustainable peace in Sudan is more about
meaningful implementation than it is about drafting a policy on paper. Peace
will require the U.S. to build and lead a multilateral coalition anchored in
full implementation of the North-South peace deal, a credible and inclusive
Darfur peace process, and a long-term commitment to address the root causes of
conflict in Sudan. This will require a more robust and realistic U.S.
diplomatic effort than we have seen to date."
Specifically, Sudan Now members believe that to achieve lasting peace,
President Obama and his team must:
1. Provide support for AU/UN efforts to bring Darfuri civil society into
the
peace process, and become more proactive in working with the Sudanese
parties and the mediation to craft a peace proposal that addresses the
root causes of conflict;
2. Build an international coalition for strict implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to counter the growing violence in
the
South; and,
3. Implement a policy that creates real consequences for those in Sudan
who
continue to attack civilians, block life-saving aid, undermine peace
and
obstruct justice.
John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project, said: "The Administration
has outlined a balanced set of incentives and pressures for future use. But
the time for applying pressure has already arrived. The Administration must
be prepared to build and lead an international coalition of countries that
will create consequences for any party in Sudan that undermines the peace
process in Darfur and the peace agreement between the North and South."
The situation in Sudan is urgent: The government has launched a new offensive
in Darfur and it blocks monitoring efforts of the UN/AU mission; meanwhile,
nearly three million Darfuris living in camps face the threat of rape and aid
cut-offs. The country's president remains wanted by the International
Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder,
torture and attacks against civilian populations. And a return to North-South
civil war looms in advance of the 2011 self-determination referendum.
Sam Bell, executive director of Genocide Intervention Network, concluded: "The
rhetoric of the policy review is thoughtful and well-crafted, but the jury is
still very much out on whether this Administration is genuinely committed to
resolving Sudan's multiple conflicts once and for all. Too often, Sudan policy
seems like an afterthought. With an independence referendum for South Sudan
looming in 2011, the situation demands the President's personal and steadfast
attention."
Sudan Now is a campaign committed to bringing meaningful and lasting peace to
Sudan and encouraging strong American leadership and action to achieve this
goal. For more information, visit SudanActionNow.com. Campaign participants
include Humanity United, the Enough Project at the Center for American
Progress, Stop Genocide Now, Investors Against Genocide and Genocide
Intervention Network.
SOURCE Sudan Now
Lauren Shaw, +1-202-585-2731, lshaw@webershandwick.com, for Sudan Now
