Contact
Andrea Clarke
Senior Communications Director
Cell: 202.460.6756
WASHINGTON - In a State Department briefing today Special Envoy to Sudan Major General Scott
Gration referred to the situation in Darfur as the "remnants of genocide," and suggested that humanitarian
aid to Darfur had been restored to almost the same level as before the government of Sudan expelled 13
aid agencies. In response, the Save Darfur Coalition, Enough Project and Genocide Intervention Network
issued the following statement.
"President Obama and Ambassador Rice recently labeled the situation in Darfur as an ongoing genocide,
and it is troubling that key players in the administration are not singing from the same song sheet with
regard to this fundamental issue," said Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler. "The real questions
are whether the Darfuri people are in crisis and whether lives are hanging in the balance. The answer to
each of those questions is an unequivocal ‘yes.' It is past time for the administration to speak with one
voice on Sudan and unveil its plan to help bring peace and security to the country."
"The administration's Sudan policy needs to be judged by the facts on the ground. With millions of people
still unable to return to their homes in Darfur, President Bashir still wanted for war crimes and the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement fraying badly, it is clear that much more needs to be done," said
Enough Project Executive Director, John Norris.
"The challenges facing Special Envoy Gration are large and many. The world is looking to the United
States to lead. President Obama must become involved in a more direct way if the international
community is to succeed in reinforcing peace and protecting civilians in Sudan."
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About the coalition: The Save Darfur Coalition - an alliance of more than 180 faith-based, advocacy
and human rights organizations - raises public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and
mobilizes a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of people throughout the Darfur
region. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions
and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur. For more information on the coalition,
please visit www.SaveDarfur.org.
Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity.
Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on crises in Sudan, Chad, eastern Congo, northern Uganda, Somalia,
and Zimbabwe. Enough's strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy
recommendations based on a "3P" crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian
protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates,
and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises.
About Genocide Intervention Network - Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first
permanent anti-genocide constituency, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs.
Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, Genocide Intervention Network empowers
individuals with the tools to stop genocide.