Contact:
Allyn Brooks-LaSure (Save Darfur), 202-478-6174
Sam Bell (GI-NET), 202-481-8130
Eileen White Read (Enough Project, Center for American Progress), 202-741-6376
DARFUR GROUPS: RESOLVING SUDAN CRISIS MUST BE TOP PRIORITY
FOR FOREIGN POLICY NOMINEES
WASHINGTON – The Enough Project of the Center for American Progress, the Save Darfur Coalition and the Genocide Intervention Network today applauded President-elect Obama’s selection of a foreign policy team with a strong Sudan record and called on the nominees to make ending the Darfur genocide a top and immediate priority.
In a joint statement, Enough Project executive director John Norris, Save Darfur Coalition president Jerry Fowler and Genocide Intervention Network executive director Mark Hanis urged the new foreign policy team to highlight Sudan as a critical priority during upcoming confirmation hearings and immediately develop plans for a “peace surge” to finally end the conflict instead of simply managing it.
The statement read: “There is a window of opportunity for the United States to lead in Sudan, and this must be a high priority on day one for President-elect Obama and his foreign policy team. With an arrest warrant for the Sudanese president for genocide and crimes against humanity increasingly likely, the new administration has a rare moment to work with our allies and lead a concerted diplomatic push that will end Sudan’s long tragedy.
“Senator Hillary Clinton and Dr. Susan Rice have been outspoken advocates for more forceful action to resolve the crisis. In addition, General James Jones led NATO efforts to assist international peacekeepers in Darfur. As the nominees are confirmed and take office, millions of Americans will expect them to exert the energy and resources necessary to ensure that a lasting peace is forged, a credible protection force is established, and perpetrators are brought to justice.”
About the Save Darfur 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.
About the Genocide Intervention Network – The Genocide Intervention Network is working to build the first permanent anti-genocide constituency in the United States, mobilizing the political will to stop genocide when it occurs. Accessible online at www.GenocideIntervention.net, GI-Net empowers individuals with tools to stop genocide through education, fundraising for civilian protection and advocacy efforts.
Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on the 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. To learn more about ENOUGH and what you can do to help, go to www.enoughproject.org.