Save Darfur Denounces U.N. Failure to Meet Already Downgraded Peacekeeper Deployment Target

Save Darfur Denounces U.N. Failure to Meet Already Downgraded Peacekeeper Deployment Target

Fowler: Members of the Security Council and their collective 54 percent effort deserve at best an ‘Incomplete’ and are on a path for an ‘F’

WASHINGTON - The Save Darfur Coalition today blasted revised U.N. figures for end-of-year UNAMID troop deployment, which fail to meet an already downgraded target. While U.N. officials previously pledged to deploy a modest 80 percent of the mission by this month - almost 18 months after the force was authorized - that number was lowered to 60 percent in October. Jerry Fowler, Save Darfur Coalition president, denounced this failure and underscored the need for President-elect Obama to make ending this crisis a priority from his first day in office.

"It is an outrage that the world's leading powers can muster only 54 percent of a peacekeeping mission that they themselves authorized 17 months ago. While heads of state profess their sympathies for, and solidarity with, the Darfuri people they follow-up heartfelt talk with half-hearted actions. Members of the U.N. Security Council and their collective 54 percent effort deserve at best an "Incomplete" and are on a path for an "F," as lasting peace, justice and security continue to elude the Darfuri people.

"This is the challenge President-elect Obama will inherit - and one he must be prepared to confront from day one of his administration. We and others urge him to end the crisis instead of merely managing it by leading a 'peace surge' for Darfur. President-elect Obama must seize this opportunity by rallying key powers to devote full-time attention and resources to ending the continued hostilities, violence and suffering once and for all. Fifty-four percent efforts won't be good enough - he must lead the world in devoting a 100 percent effort to resolve this crisis."

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About the coalition: The Save Darfur Coalition - an alliance of 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. To obtain footage from the Darfur border region, coalition events, various interviews, and more, please visit the Save Darfur Coalition media gallery at http://media.savedarfur.org. All footage may be previewed in non-broadcast quality and may be purchased in broadcast quality by filling out the purchase request form provided on the site.