he United States has a clear obligation to the Sudanese people -- both in our role as witness to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and as the first country that unequivocally identified events in Darfur as genocide – to help lead an international effort.he United States has a clear obligation to the Sudanese people -- both in our role as... more
A nod to human rights with renewed sanctions and condemnation of “genocide,” another to the regime with incentives for cooperation—the new Sudan policy is classic Obama. Eliza Griswold on whether the middle line will work.
After months of contentious deliberation over U.S. policy in Sudan, President Obama has announced his administration’s long-awaited position on the largest country in Africa. In a statement released on Monday, Obama said…well, not very much, really. Carefully calibrated not to further enrage the Khartoum regime or the human rights activists irate over the softening approach the Obama administration has appeared to be taking on Sudan, the president’s missive offered a nod to both.
The Obama administration calls Darfur a “genocide” while offering to engage with the regime that perpetrated it. Middle ground or no, that’s a difficult line for anyone—even Obama—to pursue.
In one breath, Obama called Darfur an unqualified “genocide” and announced the U.S. would renew the sanctions, called the “national emergency,” now in place against Sudan. In the next, he talked about engaging Khartoum and even mentioned “incentives” if the Sudanese government cooperates with the U.S. (In an interview with The Washington Post last month, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan, retired Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, called such incentives “cookies” and “gold stars,” much to the chagrin of advocates who oppose such engagement.)
Beneath the din of these sound bites, however, the administration’s new policy does offer something more substantive and promising: a renewed commitment to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which north and south Sudan both signed. Lest we forget, before 300,000 people were killed in Darfur beginning in 2003, at least 2 million lost their lives in decades of civil war between north and south Sudan.
And without U.S. pressure, the north would never have signed the 2005 peace deal, which, for all its flaws, did indeed bring an end to much of the fighting between north and south—for the time being, at least. Over the past four years, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement has largely been forgotten as the U.S. has turned its attention to the conflagration in Darfur. Now it’s time to return our attention to the whole of Sudan as the Khartoum-based cabal continues to wage attacks against its margins—west, east, south, and even north, in order to hold onto power.
The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in Khartoum, claiming discrimination and neglect. U.N. officials say the war has claimed at least 300,000 lives from violence, disease and displacement.
Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria, addresses the National Assembly of Southern Sudan as part of a workshop organized by the Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission on July 31, 2009 in Juba, Southern Sudan. He talks about the need for Southern Sudan to set up a strong foundational government, laying the groundwork for good management so as to avoid problems of corruption down the road.Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of... more
President Barack Obama said Monday that the U.S. is shifting its policy toward Sudan, offering the government incentives if it takes steps to improve the human suffering there and work toward internal peace.
But sanctions and pressure from the international community will follow if Sudan does not follow that path, Obama said.
The president said he will soon renew tough sanctions against the government of President Omar al-Bashir, whom the International Criminal Court has charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes for allegedly masterminding deadly attacks throughout Sudan's Darfur region.
The U.N. says the conflict in Darfur has claimed at least 300,000 lives as a result of violence, disease and displacement since February 2003, when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in Khartoum, claiming discrimination and neglect. Some 2.7 million fled their homes. At its peak in 2003-2005, the situation was called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
Obama has labeled the conflict in Darfur as genocide.
The Darfur conflict began in February 2003 when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in Khartoum, claiming discrimination and neglect. U.N. officials say the war has claimed at least 300,000 lives from violence, disease and displacement.
More @ linkPresident Barack Obama said Monday that the U.S. is shifting its policy toward Sudan,... more
US President Barack Obama has offered Sudan "incentives" if it acts to improve situation on the ground, unveiling a new policy on Khartoum.
But Mr Obama threatened "increased pressure" if Sudan failed to make progress towards achieving peace.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US remained focused on reversing the "ongoing dire human consequences of genocide" in the Darfur region.
The UN estimates that 300,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003.
In a statement, Mr Obama said: "If the government of Sudan acts to improve the situation on the ground and to advance peace, there will be incentives.
"If it does not, there will be increased pressures imposed by the United States and the international community."
The US has sanctions in place against Khartoum, and President Omar al-Bashir is wanted on an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity in Darfur.
On Monday, Mr Obama said he would renew tough measures against Khartoum later this week.US President Barack Obama has offered Sudan "incentives" if it acts to improve... more
The left may be pressuring President Obama to exit Afghanistan. But their heroes—from FDR to JFK—promoted U.S. involvement in more wars than all modern GOP presidents combined.The left may be pressuring President Obama to exit Afghanistan. But their... more
The Lord's Resistance Army, one of the most feared guerrilla groups in Africa, has moved into Darfur, one of the continent's most troubled regions, intelligence sources in Sudan say.The Lord's Resistance Army, one of the most feared guerrilla groups in Africa, has... more
The airport shuttle driver accused of plotting a bombing in New York had contacts with al-Qaida that went nearly all the way to the top, to an Osama bin Laden confidant believed to be the terrorist group's leader in Afghanistan, U.S. intelligence officials told The Associated PressThe airport shuttle driver accused of plotting a bombing in New York had contacts with... more
Action Against Hunger warns that increasing scarcity in South Sudan is largely ignored by the international community, and will likely exacerbate an already existing food shortage, increasing the area’s dependence on external assistance well into 2010.Action Against Hunger warns that increasing scarcity in South Sudan is largely ignored... more
Some Egyptian experts accused the United States and Israel of raising differences among Nile Basin countries to affect Egypt and Sudan, warning that Nile Basin countries may fight for water in the future. They referred that Egypt, with a population of about 77 million people, would never give up its historic rights in the Nile water.
Nile Basin countries delayed signing a water-sharing agreement rejected by Egypt and Sudan, which opposed any reduction in their quotas. "Wars could break out for water in the future unless an agreement is reached on how to share the river's water," said Dr. Eglal Rafat, professor of political science at Cairo University.Some Egyptian experts accused the United States and Israel of raising differences... more
A Sudanese woman has been fined $200 for the 'indecent' act of wearing trousers. Lubna Hussein was caught, along with 12 other women, in a raid by public order police in July.
Ten of the clothing "criminals" accepted their punishment - which was a fine and a flogging - but Hussein and two others decided to take it to court. She won't be receiving a flogging but, as she refuses to pay, she is likely to be jailed.A Sudanese woman has been fined $200 for the 'indecent' act of wearing trousers.... more
In October it will open a clinic that will provide the artificial insemination therapy for less than 300 dollars, while in rich countries the cost of one cycle can reach the 12 thousand dollars.In October it will open a clinic that will provide the artificial insemination therapy... more
Ad ottobre, aprirà una clinica che promette di fornire terapie di fecondazione assistita per meno di 300 dollari. Al contrario di quello che si pensa anche l'Africa soffre il problema dell'infertilità: una coppia su tre, a causa delle infezioni trasmesse sessualmente e delle mutilazioni genitali, non riesce ad avere figli. La clinica, però, in futuro potrebbe aprire le porte anche ai tanti pazienti europei. E il business si allarga.Ad ottobre, aprirà una clinica che promette di fornire terapie di fecondazione... more
The six-year war between forces loyal to Sudan's government and rebels in Darfur has effectively ended, the UN's military commander in the region says.
General Martin Agwai, who is leaving his post this week, said the vicious fighting of earlier years had subsided as rebel groups split into factions.
He says the region now suffers more from low-level disputes and banditry.
The UN says 300,000 people have died in Darfur, but the Sudanese government puts the figure at 10,000.
Almost three million people are said to have been displaced by the fighting.
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The end of displaced children and child soldiers is soon. There is more hope now more than ever to do so. Next is the end of the longest running war in Africa and justice to Joseph Kony.The six-year war between forces loyal to Sudan's government and rebels in Darfur has... more
First the gunmen surrounded the fishing camp in the hour of darkness before dawn.
Next they opened fire, then moved in with spears to finish off the wounded.
"They shot me in the arm and I fell, but as I was getting up they put a spear in my back," said Nyakong Gatwech, a 20-year-old pregnant mother.
"They thought that I was dead so they left me."First the gunmen surrounded the fishing camp in the hour of darkness before dawn.... more
Ms. Rice has continued to call the situation in Darfur genocide, a label first applied to the situation there by Secretary of State Colin L. Powell in 2004 at the height of a campaign against farmers in Darfur by Sudan-government backed fighters known as Janjaweed.Ms. Rice has continued to call the situation in Darfur genocide, a label first applied... more
Letting the Sudanese government get away with massive ethnic cleansing (possibly genocide) in Darfur could come back to bite the West in the butt years or decades from now.Letting the Sudanese government get away with massive ethnic cleansing (possibly... more
Humanitarians were dismayed at Gration’s insistent talk about the “voluntary’’ return of some 2.7 million displaced persons languishing in camps throughout Darfur. There is no humanitarian capacity to oversee such returns and ensure their voluntary nature; Khartoum refuses to provide security in areas it controls; and Darfuris in the camps complain bitterly that they are being asked to return to lands without protection, and which have oftentimes been taken over by Arab tribal groups. The notorious Janjaweed have not been disarmed and pose a constant threat. Even in the camps themselves, security is tenuous; women still face rape, men are tortured and murdered, and looting is commonplace. In the past, it has been Khartoum that has pushed for returns under these conditions; now, perversely, it is the US special envoy.Humanitarians were dismayed at Gration’s insistent talk about the “voluntary’’... more
Over 100 women, some wearing trousers, came to protest the flogging of a Journalist accused of indecency for doing just that. For those who do not know, Sudan's Al'Bashir is supported by Iran and arms Hamas while committing atrocities in Darfur. And the only thing you can boycott is gum arabic which won't help much. A reminder that Laura and Euna are one battle won, but the war is not over for female journalists.Over 100 women, some wearing trousers, came to protest the flogging of a Journalist... more
Lubna al-Hussein, along with 18 other women in Sudan, was arrested for sporting 'indecent clothes.' She was wearing pants, a blouse, and a hijab, Police deemed her pants too tight and her blouse too see-through. She faces a punishment of 40 lashes.Lubna al-Hussein, along with 18 other women in Sudan, was arrested for sporting... more
