You might have seen the news lately about Sudan finally agreeing to the deployment of a full United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping force to Darfur.
Like you, we desperately want to believe this. But history has taught us to be wary...
Not only has the Sudanese government failed to live up to nearly every previous commitment on Darfur, but it has actually "agreed" to this same peacekeeping force before - only to then backpedal and create further delays.
The bottom line is: we still don't know how credible Sudan's latest "agreement" really is. In fact, Sudanese President Bashir, himself, has not yet spoken out in favor of this commitment. Thus far, his public comments seem only to weaken it.
In light of all the recent press coverage applauding Sudan's "agreement," we need your help to set the record straight.
Click here now to write a letter to the editor of your local paper to ensure that the American public knows better than to trust Sudan's "promises."
It is clear that the violence is not over.
Even as we wait to see if Sudan is continuing to play games with international diplomats, Sudan's air force and the Janjaweed have continued their attacks on Darfuri villages. Just last week, a major humanitarian aid group announced it was permanently withdrawing from Darfur's largest refugee camp, due to continued violence.
Now, more than ever, world leaders need to put strong pressure on Sudan and ensure that it makes good on its promises. Unless our diplomats make it clear to President Bashir that they will not tolerate another broken promise, Sudan will surely continue to delay.
Any regime that has killed as many as 400,000 of its own people and displaced more than 2.5 million others, no longer deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt.
Click here to draft your letter to the editor now.
We'd love to be proven wrong this time. But while we will hope for the best, we must be doing everything in our power to help prevent the worst.
Even if this agreement should lead to an effective peacekeeping force, much more remains to be done to save the people of Darfur. Necessary steps include the establishment of a true peace process that leads to a full peace agreement, as well as unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the millions of Darfurians who rely on it to live, among other priorities.
As always, thank you for your heartfelt support in this movement to bring peace and protection to the people of Darfur.Best regards,
Colleen Connors
Save Darfur Coalition
