Save Darfur Presses Warring Parties, World Leaders to Protect 30,000 Civilians in Battle-Sieged Town

Save Darfur Presses Warring Parties, World Leaders to Protect 30,000 Civilians in Battle-Sieged Town

Fowler: Both the Sudanese government and the equally responsible JEM rebels holding [Muhajiriyah] must make the safety of civilians their priority

WASHINGTON – The Save Darfur Coalition today called upon parties to the conflict in Muhajiriyah, and influential world actors, to take all urgent and necessary steps to ensure the safety of civilians in and around the imminently threatened south Darfur town. Save Darfur president Jerry Fowler issued a statement imploring those involved to not further endanger the more than 30,000 civilians who will be caught in the crossfire of any government-rebel battle.

"The world must act with utmost urgency to ensure the safety of the estimated 30,000 civilians in Muhajiriyah - all under imminent threat from a massive buildup of Sudanese military forces. Both the Sudanese government and the equally responsible JEM rebels holding the town must exercise restraint and make the safety of civilians their priority. The United States, China, members of the U.N. Security Council and members of the African Union Peace and Security Council must likewise use all available leverage to avoid an imminent and potentially catastrophic loss of life.

"The innocent men, women, and children of Muhajiriyah must not be caught in the middle of what may be the largest battle in Darfur in more than a year. Khartoum's ominous warning for peacekeepers to leave the town is a potentially fatal omen for the 30,000 non-combatants who would remain behind. While UNAMID peacekeepers are not responsible for interceding in government-rebel battles, it is their responsibility under their U.N. Security Council mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat. The civilians of Muhajiriyah are under such threat, and must not be abandoned by UNAMID or by the world leaders who so often claim to support them.

"The situation in Muhajiriyah again underscores the urgent need for President Obama to identify an owner for Sudan policy with the stature, mandate and authority to lead U.S. efforts to end the genocide and pursue peace in Sudan."

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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.