Sudan: Promises and Plans, 04/27/05

Sudan: Promises and Plans

AfricaFocus Bulletin
Apr 27, 2005 (050427)

Media Update Edition

[Contains editor's note and link to full text at
http://www.africafocus.org/docs05/sud0504.php?media]

Editor's Note

"Time is running out for the people of Sudan. We need pledges immediately converted into cash and more protection forces in Darfur to prevent yet more death and suffering. If we fail in Sudan, the consequences of our actions will haunt us for years to come." - United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan

The latest debate in Washington on Sudan is about estimates of the number dead in Darfur, with the Washington Post in an April 24 editorial criticizing Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick for citing a report of 60,000 to 160,000 dead in the last two years, in contrast to higher estimates ranging up to 400,000 from human rights groups and other analysts. But this debate, like the earlier and continuing international debate over whether to call the atrocities in western Sudan genocide, is largely a surrogate for a more fundamental debate over the international political will to act.

Even the lower numbers being cited, or the January report from an international commission that found evidence of "crimes against humanity" while declining to rule on whether these crimes were genocide, are more than sufficient grounds for action. There is wide agreement in principle on some measures, such as providing more humanitarian aid and increasing the numbers of Africa Union troops on the ground in Darfur. The International Crisis Group has just released a new report with a comprehensive set of specific actions needed to provide greater security and prevent new deaths. In theory stronger language or higher estimates of the death toll might lead to greater pressure for action. The danger is that debates about words or numbers will instead substitute for action.

This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains an op-ed by Secretary General Annan from The New York Times of April 13, a press release from the World Food Program on the precarious state of food supplies for Darfur, and a press release and excerpts with specific action proposals from the New Sudan Action Plan released by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on April 26. More details of the ICG plan are available on the group's website
(http://www.crisisgroup.org).

For previous AfricaFocus Bulletins and additional links on Sudan, visit http://www.africafocus.org/country/sudan.php

For current news, including recent articles on funding for humanitarian operations in both Darfur and southern Sudan, see http://allafrica.com/sudan and
http://www.africafocus.org/country/sudan_irin.php. For the most detailed coverage of the issue of numbers of deaths in Darfur, see http://www.sudantribune.com

Sudan: Promises and Plans

Page Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar, Ph.D.