If you’re wondering what it is like for uprooted Darfuri refugees currently in eastern Chad, check out these recent updates from NBC’s Ann Curry, who is currently reporting from the region. On Tuesday morning, Curry noted that 67,000 refugees in Chad are waiting for the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in hopes that it will be the first step in their ability to return to their homes in villages throughout the Darfur region.
Curry’s trip coincides with the release of a Human Rights Watch report that documents the Sudanese government’s efforts to censor and repress all reporters and human rights activists within Sudan’s borders who are speaking out about the heinous crimes occurring in Darfur.
We are one-third of the way through the Obama administration’s first 100 days. Last week, discussions on Capitol Hill with the Commission on International Religious Freedom and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee culminated in calls for the Obama administration to appoint a special envoy to Sudan. As Enough has consistently argued, it is crucial for the United States to commit to a lasting peace in the region by appointing a high-level envoy who will have ownership of Sudan policy and responsibility for ending the genocide. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today and you will be connected with the State Department. When you call, urge Secretary Clinton to appoint a special envoy to Sudan now.