Has Obama forgotten Darfur? This thought-provoking question is posed by Nick Kristoff in his latest op-ed in the New York Times.
This is a must-read reminder that Darfur is "still a crime scene" and that violence is steadily increasing. I will admit, I've enjoyed the lull in violence and let my own mind wander from this conflict. A bit of me wants peace so bad that it celebrates the "no news is good news" policy. Well, Kristoff reminds us that in the case of Darfur, no news does not mean good news - it just means we are ignoring the news and forgetting about the situation.
We need to wake up to the impending violence with the upcoming vote in Southern Sudan on independence. I pledge to not forget Darfur, not forget Sudan and not to forget my friends and their families.
Read more.
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
State of the Union: Will Obama mention genocide?
As a Triangle resident who grew up in Sudan, I won’t be drinking shots every time President Obama says “jobs” as I watch this week’s State of the Union address. Nor will I scrutinize every word for subtle signs of socialism. I will be looking for a young president to live up to his campaign promises of change as it pertains to the most egregious of all crimes: genocide.
President Obama has chosen to deliver his first State of the Union Address on same day as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This provides him with an incredible opportunity to be the first president to declare a commitment and plan to abolish genocide.
Further, President Obama should specifically call on the nation and the world to redouble its efforts to prevent atrocities and bloody war in Sudan. Prevention is easier and cheaper than intervention.
So - what are the odds that Obama mentions genocide during his address?
President Obama has chosen to deliver his first State of the Union Address on same day as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This provides him with an incredible opportunity to be the first president to declare a commitment and plan to abolish genocide.
Further, President Obama should specifically call on the nation and the world to redouble its efforts to prevent atrocities and bloody war in Sudan. Prevention is easier and cheaper than intervention.
So - what are the odds that Obama mentions genocide during his address?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Obama’s new Sudan policy released
The Obama Administration finally unveiled its comprehensive plan to bring peace to Sudan today at an event attended by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice and Special Envoy to Sudan Gen. Scott Gration. These three administration heavyweights said many good things about their intentions in the news conference, but the question still remains about their implementation.
Many in the activist community have a great deal of concern about what they see as a real gap between the administration’s rhetoric and its day-to-day diplomacy with the Sudanese government. President Obama must be firm in his promise to lead a more urgent multi-lateral peace process. U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration must work to build an international coalition for the meaningful implementation of the North-South peace deal, and implement a policy that creates real consequences for those who continue to attack civilians, block life-saving aid, undermine peace and justice.
For more information on this major development, please check out the following resources:
• View the video of the State Department’s news conference
• View the Washington Post preview article on the Sudan Policy
• View a video response from Sam Bell, Executive Director of the Genocide Intervention Network
• View an op-ed in the LA Times by John Prendergast, Co-founder of ENOUGH!
Take action: Call 1-800-GENOCIDE and urge President Obama to implement his new strategy and keep his campaign promises on Sudan.
Many in the activist community have a great deal of concern about what they see as a real gap between the administration’s rhetoric and its day-to-day diplomacy with the Sudanese government. President Obama must be firm in his promise to lead a more urgent multi-lateral peace process. U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration must work to build an international coalition for the meaningful implementation of the North-South peace deal, and implement a policy that creates real consequences for those who continue to attack civilians, block life-saving aid, undermine peace and justice.
For more information on this major development, please check out the following resources:
• View the video of the State Department’s news conference
• View the Washington Post preview article on the Sudan Policy
• View a video response from Sam Bell, Executive Director of the Genocide Intervention Network
• View an op-ed in the LA Times by John Prendergast, Co-founder of ENOUGH!
Take action: Call 1-800-GENOCIDE and urge President Obama to implement his new strategy and keep his campaign promises on Sudan.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Strong, balanced policy needed for Sudan
It’s been nearly seven years since the Darfur genocide began. Fortunately, the conflict continues to garner much-needed attention worldwide. This is in large part due to the unprecedented number of Americans and dedicated elected officials like U.S. Representatives Brad Miller and David Price who have refused to give up on the people suffering there.
President Obama stated on March 18th that “Sudan is a priority for this Administration,” yet the Administration has failed to demonstrate the sense of urgency and executive attention that is necessary to distinguish Sudan as a true priority. The Administration has yet to release a long-overdue policy review of Sudan and has appeared focused more on rewards for the Government of Sudan instead of a balanced approach that includes punitive measures for continued intransigence. The release of an appropriately balanced policy review would help to alleviate fears that the United States will squander its leverage on continued broken promises from Khartoum.
As Senators, President Obama, Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were three of the strongest advocates for Sudan, but now that they are in the Administration we have yet to see them live up to their promises to prioritize peace in Sudan.
Sudan Now, an ad campaign coming out this week in several major news outlets, calls on Obama, Biden and Clinton to keep the promises that they’ve made to the people of Sudan. The release of the policy review on Sudan is expected within days. Obama, Biden and Clinton must take this opportunity to become a part of the process; weighing in to ensure that the policy matches up with their rhetoric. More information on the campaign can be found by visiting www.SudanActionNow.com.
President Obama stated on March 18th that “Sudan is a priority for this Administration,” yet the Administration has failed to demonstrate the sense of urgency and executive attention that is necessary to distinguish Sudan as a true priority. The Administration has yet to release a long-overdue policy review of Sudan and has appeared focused more on rewards for the Government of Sudan instead of a balanced approach that includes punitive measures for continued intransigence. The release of an appropriately balanced policy review would help to alleviate fears that the United States will squander its leverage on continued broken promises from Khartoum.
As Senators, President Obama, Vice-President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were three of the strongest advocates for Sudan, but now that they are in the Administration we have yet to see them live up to their promises to prioritize peace in Sudan.
Sudan Now, an ad campaign coming out this week in several major news outlets, calls on Obama, Biden and Clinton to keep the promises that they’ve made to the people of Sudan. The release of the policy review on Sudan is expected within days. Obama, Biden and Clinton must take this opportunity to become a part of the process; weighing in to ensure that the policy matches up with their rhetoric. More information on the campaign can be found by visiting www.SudanActionNow.com.
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