Save Darfur Responds to Sudanese Government Obstruction of Darfuri Civil Society Conference

Save Darfur Responds to Sudanese Government Obstruction of Darfuri Civil Society Conference

Fowler: ‘Khartoum's obstruction is a clear sign that the Bashir regime is not committed to peace'

WASHINGTON – Responding to news of the forced cancellation of a Darfuri civil society leaders conference due to Sudanese government obstruction, the Save Darfur Coalition today reiterated the need for the U.S. government to lead a multilateral effort with focused and meaningful pressures and incentives necessary to bring peace to Sudan. The Mandate Darfur conference, facilitated by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and scheduled for next week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was set to be a coming together of Darfuri representatives from across geographic, ethnic, religious and political backgrounds to determine a way forward for the peace process. It was canceled following the Sudanese government's obstruction of the Darfuri delegates' travel from Sudan to Ethiopia. Coalition President Jerry Fowler released the following statement:

"This conference presented a significant opportunity to advance the cause of peace by giving Darfuri civilians a forum to unite their voices. It had broad international support, including the Arab League, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and a wide array of former African leaders.

"Khartoum's obstruction is a clear sign that the Bashir regime is not committed to peace, despite the overtures made by U.S. Special Envoy Gration during his first trip last month.

"This behavior - in addition to Bashir's appointment today of Ahmed Haroun, a wanted war criminal, as governor of the South Kordofan region - reinforces the fact that a viable strategy for peace means presenting the Sudanese government with a choice. If the Sudanese government permits unimpeded humanitarian access, removes indictees and secures peace in Darfur and the South, a clear process toward normalization should be mapped out. If President Bashir and his party continue to undermine efforts at peace for the country - as they did today - a series of escalating costs should ensue, including diplomatic isolation, targeted multi-lateral economic sanctions, and an effective multilateral arms embargo.

"The United States and all the international parties who in good faith endorsed the Mandate Darfur conference must see that this clear incentive and consequence approach is necessary and join together to present the choice to Khartoum. Focusing on incentives alone encourages the regime's defiance."

###

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.