San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition

Senators Urge Ambassador Rice to Make Clear that Violations of U.N. Sanctions Will Not Be Tolerated

Washington, DC, December 15, 2009 – A bipartisan group of Senators is working to ensure the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council does not tolerate continued human rights and arms embargo violations by the Sudanese government and rebel groups in Darfur. U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and John McCain (R-AZ) led the group in writing to the United States Ambassador to the U.N., Dr. Susan Rice, citing a recent report by the Panel of Experts on Sudan, which states, “…almost all sides in the conflict have failed in their obligation to comply with Security Council sanctions” and urging her to ensure the U.N. Security Council reviews the panel’s recommendations for action.

Senators joining Feingold and McCain in sending the letter were Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Arlen Specter (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Robert Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (D-ME), Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), Richard Burr (R-NC), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Bob Corker (R-TN), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), James Risch (R-ID), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

The text of the letter is below and a copy is available here (PDF).

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December 14, 2009

Ambassador Susan Rice
Permanent U.S. Representative to the United Nations

Dear Madam Ambassador,

We are pleased that you spoke forcefully about the UN Secretary-General’s latest report on the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which reports dozens of instances in which the Government of Sudan has denied peacekeepers freedom of movement and access. As you said, this is a blatant violation of the terms of the Status of Forces Agreement and greatly impedes UNAMID’s ability to carry out its important peacekeeping mission. A fully operational UNAMID is critical to protect civilians and monitor the security situation until a viable political settlement can be reached to end the conflict.

We are writing to you about another recent report on Darfur presented to the UN Security Council by the Panel of Experts on Sudan in October. As you are likely aware, this report states that almost all sides in the conflict have failed in their obligation to comply with Security Council sanctions and to cooperate with the monitoring efforts of the Panel of Experts. We urge you, as you did with the UN Secretary-General’s report on UNAMID, to speak out publicly about these reported violations. With the next Panel of Experts currently being constituted, it is especially important that the Security Council make clear that obstruction of their work is unacceptable.

In their report, the Panel of Experts found that violations of international humanitarian and human rights law remain rampant in Darfur. The report states, “The Darfurian population continues to be victimized by effects of attacks and counter-attacks involving most of the armed movements that frequently lead to the disproportionate use of force by the Sudanese Armed Forces and their auxiliary forces, and results in killings, injuries and displacements.” The report documents a number of specific violations of the UN arms embargo by the Sudanese government and armed movements, especially the Justice and Equality Movement. The report also suggests that auxiliary forces of the Sudanese government, known as the Janjaweed, continue to carry arms and engage in violence.

The Panel of Experts recommends that the Security Council request the Government of Sudan report to the Sanctions Committee on a bimonthly basis on movements of troops and material into and out of Darfur, the scope and state of disarmament of the Janjaweed and related militias, and efforts to ensure the protection of all Darfurians. The report also recommends that the Security Council explore possible ways to provide assistance to the Dakar Contact Group’s monitoring of the Chadian-Sudanese border. Finally, the confidential annex of the report provides information on a number of individuals who could be added to existing sanctions lists.

We urge you to ensure that these recommendations are carefully reviewed and discussed by the Security Council. While we realize some Security Council members may oppose action at this time, we believe it is important to begin a discussion at the Security Council about pressures that can be brought to bear against belligerents in Darfur in the case that these violations persist. As we have learned from the past, such pressures will only be effective if they have multilateral support. We hope ongoing attempts to achieve a peace agreement will succeed and that such pressures will not be necessary, but we should be prepared if the parties continue to drag their feet as they have in the past.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to working with you and General Gration to deliver on the administration’s commitment stated in its Sudan strategy to “work to more concretely transform widespread international concern about Darfur into serious multilateral commitments.”

In Wake of Pre-Election Human Rights Violations by Government, Sudan Advocates Ask President Obama to Impose Consequences

Merely condemning NCP’s actions not a sufficient consequence, say advocates

CITIES NATIONWIDE – December 15, 2009 – Today 50 organizations representing Sudan advocates and Sudanese expatriates from around the country, together with actress Mia Farrow and Sudan expert Eric Reeves, sent an open letter to President Obama calling on him to impose immediate consequences on the Government of Sudan for public violations of human rights in advance of the elections [in Sudan] and for the eroding situation on the ground.

The letter recommends that President Obama 1) Lead the United States and the broader international community in applying the pressures necessary to ensure that the conditions for credible elections mandated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) are enacted and implemented without further delay, 2) Act immediately to secure multilateral asset freezes and travel bans on National Congress Party (NCP) leaders, multilateral support of the International Criminal Court cases against key Sudanese officials, multilateral enforcement of the UN Security Council arms embargo; and denial of multilateral debt relief, 3) Direct Special Envoy Gration, the State Department and USAID to conduct and make public an assessment of the current status of humanitarian services and 4) Direct Special Envoy Gration to promptly brief the appropriate House and Senate committees on the contents of the classified documents that are part of the Administration’s Sudan policy.

According to the letter, the Administration’s Sudan policy review promised a balanced approach of both incentives and pressures. “The policy will lack credibility if no consequences are imposed now, particularly after the very public violations of human rights on Dec. 7 and 14 and the eroding situation on the ground. There is no need to wait further to impose consequences on Sudan for these clear and critical violations. These actions by the Government of Sudan illustrate the importance of the United States acting with a fierce urgency to deliver the promised consequences. Merely condemning the NCP’s action is not a sufficient consequence,” the letter states.

On Sunday, the NCP and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and south agreed to the terms of a controversial referendum on southern independence on Sunday. However, according to Mohamed Suleiman, a Darfuri and a spokesman for the group, the NCP has a consistent track record of breaking its agreements. “The fact that the government violently quelled a peaceful demonstration the day after announcing this agreement demonstrates that it will not honor the reform of Sudanese laws necessary for credible elections, including freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and association, and freedom of speech,” he said.

The letter cites Obama’s recent address in Oslo where he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. “Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure — and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one,” President Obama said in his speech there.

[The text of the letter can be downloaded here (PDF).

This morning, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, UN Ambassador Susan Rice and President Obama’s Special Envoy released their plan for Sudan. Watch Genocide Intervention Network (GI-NET) Executive Director Sam Bell discuss the policy and then call 1-800-GENOCIDE to urge the President to implement the strategy.

Your voice is needed to help bring peace to Sudan. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE today. Tell President Obama the people of Sudan can’t afford a strategy that puts incentives ahead of real changes on the ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebm7aFZlsGQ

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration, announced the Administration’s Sudan strategy. The policy includes Critical Lessons Learned from Past Efforts, U.S. Strategic Objectives, Key Implementation Elements, and Outreach and Consultation.

Strategic Objectives include:

• I: A definitive end to conflict, gross human rights abuses, and genocide in Darfur.
• II: Implementation of the CPA that results in a peaceful post-2011 Sudan or an orderly transition to two separate and viable states at peace with each other.
• III: Ensure that Sudan does not serve as a safe haven for terrorists.

read Sudan: A Critical Moment, A Comprehensive Approach.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – The Washington Post today revealed that U.S. National Security Adviser James L. Jones and U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Major General Scott Gration met with former National Security Adviser Robert “Bud” McFarlane to discuss Sudan policy at a time when McFarlane appears to have been working for the Government of Sudan.

In the wake of these revelations, the Enough Project, Save Darfur Coalition, and Genocide Intervention Network released the following statement: More>

In a hard-hitting letter to President Obama, co-chairs of the Congressional Sudan Caucus provided a list of reasons why they are “deeply concerned” about the U.S. policy toward to Sudan. Committee Co-Chairs, Congressmen Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Frank Wolf (R-VA), Donald M. Payne (D-NJ), and Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), sent their letter to the president on Friday, urging him to include several measures in his much-anticipated Sudan policy. Read more

A lot of misleading information is causing confusion about the situation in Darfur and Sudan.

The Government of Sudan (GoS) is stepping up the suppression of free speach and the media, making it ever harder to find out what is really happening. It hopes that if we don’t know the truth, we will stop urging our leaders to help the Sudanese people.

But, you can help. Disseminate the truth about the current situation in Darfur and Sudan. Today and in the next few days, please tell at least three others that in the last week:

- The GoS has resumed aerial bombing of Darfur villages and towns, including in the Korma area. A father of eight young children reported that his family has run out of food and has little water, the Janjaweed are occuping all of the wells, they can see Antonov planes dropping bombs on villages, and he lost ten relatives in just this last round of violence.
- The Janjaweed is again burning and looting villages, including Gefafil in North Darfur, raping women, and causing survivors to flee to already overburdened camps and to the mountains.
- The GoS security agents are targeting teachers, asking for “Mudarressein” (teachers), and shooting them on sight. Darfuris report this is part of the GoS plan to keep uneducated Darfuris illiterate.
- AND, the number of conflicts in South Sudan grow with increasing numbers of deaths. Please visit http://tinyurl.com/ybmttqa for a September 23 report.

For more details, please visit www.whilewewaitsudan.org and www.radiodabanga.org.

Don’t let the statement of outgoing UNAMID Commander Agwai that the war in Darfur is over fool anyone – help set the record straight.

Please tell your friends to tell a friend.

Earlier this month, a coalition of Sudan activists sent a detailed policy letter to Sudan Special Envoy Scott Gration. The letter, which was co-signed by the San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition, captures the Sudan movement’s growing concern about General Gration’s inadequate approach towards a number of important peace, security, accountability, and justice issues that directly affect the lives of millions of Darfuris and other Sudanese.

You can download the letter here. We encourage you to read and share it with your own networks. Thank you!

Originally published on the SDC blog:
July 23rd, 2009
by Mohamed Yahya

Yesterday, July 22, marked a great day for the Darfuri and Sudanese community in the United States of America. The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy led a rally in front of the White House, asking President Obama to end his silence on Darfur. In attendance were Darfuris from the greater D.C. area, Virginia, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina. US Representative Lynn Woolsey of California’s 6th district greeted the assembly and shared her desire for the Administration to move quickly to lead the international community for peace in Sudan.

Activists and concerned citizens congregated at Lafayette Park in front of the White House in support of justice and peace. Representatives from Darfur Human Rights of Philadelphia, Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom, the Nubia Project, Nuba Mountain, the Darfur Rehabilitation Project and other activists from the Sudanese community were joined by organizations such as Enough, Save Darfur, American Jewish World Service, Africa Action, and the Armenian Assembly of America, amongst others. . The peaceful rally began with several notable speakers including Dr. Abdul-Gabar Adam of Darfur Human Rights, Jimmy Mulla of Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom and Daowd Salih of the Damanga Coalition. Though we had a diverse group, the message was clear and unanimous: we need justice and peace in Darfur. Now.

From there we turned our attention to the White House – as the President was leaving in his motorcade, no less. The demonstrators expressed feelings of sorrow for the plight of those residing in refugee camps, desperation for America to act in Sudan, and frustration at the African Union and the Arab League for granting impunity to Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
Activists march from the White House to the State Department

Activists march from the White House to the State Department

After gathering signatures and making our presence known in front of the White House, we marched to the Department of State to raise awareness about the plight of the people of Darfur. We received a great deal of attention. We finally arrived at the State Department and pleaded that Secretary Clinton do her part to help bring justice to Sudan.

Our voice was loud and the Obama Administration understands the importance of this issue to his constituency. With continued pressure, such as was demonstrated yesterday, we hope that President Obama will take further action to end the genocide in Darfur.

Mohamed Yahya is the Executive Director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy

Originally posted on the Pax Communications blog:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 22, 2009 – Darfuris, other Sudanese and Americans who share a common concern about the Obama Administration’s lack of response to the ongoing crimes against humanity in Sudan and Darfur are gathering today at 1:00 PM in front of the White House to deliver a letter to President Obama before marching to the State Department with a similar letter for Secretary Clinton. (Copy of letter below.) Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Sub Committee on Africa an Global Health is also attending and addressing the participants.

“Today’s ruling on Abyei demonstrates the importance of justice and peace coming together for Sudan,” states Mohamed Yahya, a refugee from the Darfur region of Sudan and the Founder and Executive Director of the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy which organized the rally. “Just as the court’s ruling on Abyei is being respected, so should the court’s decision regarding the indictments against al-Bashir.”

“The international community should stop protecting those criminals who have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Darfur and throughout the Sudan,” Yahya continues. “We need to bring these perpetrators to justice immediately; this is the only way to save precious lives, protect the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and pave the way to a lasting peace for Sudan.”

A new survey shows that the publics in four majority Muslim and African nations, contrary to the positions of their governments, largely approve of the indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

The letters delivered today call on President Obama, his Administration and the State Department to release a firm and clear “Statement of Administration Policy” on the situation in Darfur and to begin implementing it without further delay. The Darfuris seek an unequivocal statement from the United States Government in support of the following:

1. International cooperation with International Criminal Court and its indictments of Omar al-Bashir and other suspects for war Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Genocide;
2. The immediate deployment of the 26,000 UNAMID Peace Forces to Darfur with a full Chapter VII mandate, and all necessary support and supplies;
3. Pressure on the Government of Sudan to allow all expelled humanitarian organizations back into Darfur without any delays or conditions;
4. Strict trade sanctions against Chinese oil companies, and all other companies investing in Sudanese oil or exporting weapons to Sudan and otherwise conducting business with the genocidal Regime;
5. The end of attacks on Refugee Camps in Chad and Darfur and the return of all
confiscated land to its rightful owners.

Sponsored by the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, the rally was timed to coincide with Special Envoy Gration’s trip to the Sudan and today’s announcement of the decision on the boundaries of the contested Abyei region. It also falls on the same day as President Obama’s prime time press conference. Darfuris hope that journalists will ask questions about Darfur and the ICC case against Bashir at the news conference. Americans nationwide will also be participating in a National Call-In Day to the White House in support of the Darfuri rally.

In addressing the participants, Congresswoman Woolsey said, “After recognizing genocide in Darfur almost five years ago, it’s far past time for the international community to come together to end it. We need to make ending the genocide in Darfur a top priority. This isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue – this is one of the moral issues of our time.”

Special Envoy Gration is currently travelling the region to assess the situation in Darfur and to participate in discussions with the Government of South Sudan and to continue the trilateral meetings between the SPLM, the Government of Sudan and the United States Government that began in Washington in June 2009. This important trip will build invaluable relationships between the people of Sudan and decision makers in Washington. “While laying the ground work is essential for a new Administration, it is time for action, now,” states Yahya. “The people of Darfur cannot wait any longer.”

Scheduled speakers to the rally include Mohamed Yahya. Darfuri and Founder and Executive Director, Damage Coalition for Freedom and Democracy of Washington DC; Omar Ismail, Darfuri Activist from Enough Project of Washington DC; Daowd Salish, Darfuri and President of Damage Board of Directors of New Jersey; Dr. Abdul-gabber Adam, Darfuri and President of Darfur Human Rights of Philadelphia; Ms. Niemat Ahmadi, Darfuri Liaison Officer for Save Darfur Coalition of Washington DC; Ms. Naziabad, Darfuri Human Rights Activist of Georgia; Bukhara Dose, President of Darfuri Association of New York; Jimmy Mulla, President of Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom of Virginia; Nordic Manna, President of Nubian Project of North Sudan of Maryland; Yahya Osman, Vice President of Darfur Rehabilitation Project of New Jersey; Adobe Yusuf, International Coordinator For Sudan Social Development organization of New Jersey; Ms. Saud Mansur, Darfuri from Darfur Alert Coalition of Philadelphia; and Maggie Fick, Policy Assistant, Enough Project of Washington, DC.

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Text of letter:

Most Honorable President Obama:

In Ghana, you were clear in saying, “We must bear witness to the value of every child in Darfur,” but a witness who does nothing to assist the helpless is complicit in the crime. Bearing witness and recognizing the value of every life lost and still at risk in Darfur means standing up and taking action. We must be equally clear – Darfur will not
continue to burn, not again on our watch.

The transition period is always one of delayed action, but you have appointed your key actors and your Special Envoy to Sudan will return from a month in the region at the end of the week. We trust your
leadership and know the value of careful preparations, but the ground work is laid. It is time to act.

All actors must remember that the disintegrating Comprehensive Peace Agreement is an incomplete answer to the many tragedies in Sudan, especially those in Darfur. Without international action now, on
behalf of those without a voice, the people of Darfur will continue to be denied the peace that all Sudanese were promised. The Administration needs to ensure that the ground work for justice and
peace in Sudan is meticulously laid out, but time is of the essence.

The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, along with its partners, calls on your Administration and your State Department to urgently release a firm and clear “Statement of Administration Policy” on the situation
in Darfur and to begin implementing it without further delay.

We seek an unequivocal statement of United States Government support for the following:

1. International cooperation with International Criminal Court and its indictments of Omar al-Bashir and other suspects for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity;
2. The immediate deployment of the 26,000 UNAMID Peace Forces to Darfur with a full Chapter VII mandate, and all necessary support and supplies;
3. Pressure on the Government of Sudan to allow all expelled humanitarian organizations back into Darfur without any delays or conditions;
4. The end of attacks on Refugee Camps in Chad and Darfur and the return of all confiscated land to its rightful owners;
5. Strict trade sanctions against Chinese oil companies, and all other companies investing in Sudanese oil or exporting weapons to Sudan and otherwise conducting business with the genocidal Regime.
The leadership of the United States, the active engagement of the CPA mediators and the commitment of the international community are pivotal to a sustainable peace process. Your Administration must take advantage of unprecedented goodwill and a unique moment – a moment when real progress can be made. We are standing up today to show that the political will for substantive action exists. Support the innocent people of Sudan and bring the leaders of the world along with you. You know how many lives hang in the balance.

With the sincere support of the following representatives of the Darfuri community,

Mohamed Yahya,
Executive Director, The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy
Washington, DC

Mohamed Yahya
Executive Director,
The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy
Washington, DC

Daowd Salih
Board of Directors President
The Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy
Washington, DC

Dr. Abdul-gabar Adam
President, Darfur Human Rights
Philadelphia, PA

Ms. Nusaiba
Darfuri Women of Georgia

Bushara Dosa
President, Darfuri Association of New York

Jimmy Mulla
President, Southern Sudan Community
Virginia

Nouredin Mannan
President, Nubia of North Sudan Community

Yahya Osman
Darfur Rehabilitation Project
New Jersey

Adeeb Yousif
International Coordinator For Sudan Social Development Organization
New Jersey

Suad Mansour
Darfur Alert Coalition
Philadelphia

Lam Jock
President of United Sudanese Youth
Virginia

Ibrahim Tahir Ahmed
Beja Congress Party
Washington DC

Sunday Taabu
Administrative Chair, South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education and Leadership
Greensboro, NC

Niemat Ahmadi
Darfuri Liaison Officer, Save Darfur Coalition
Washington, DC

Mohamed Suleiman
Member, Executive Committee, San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition
San Francisco, CA

And the following organizations standing in solidarity with Darfuris,

Nikki Serapio
Director, Americans Against the Darfur Genocide
San Francisco, CA

Eric Cohen
Chairperson, Investors Against Genocide
Boston, MA

Susan Morgan
Director of Communications, The Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur
Boston, MA

Sharon Silber
Co-Founder, New York City Coalition for Darfur
New York, NY

Eileen Weiss
Steering Committee Co-Chair, DarfurMetro
New York, NY

Leah Nuckolls
Founder, Be Their Messenger
Gilbert, AZ

Julia A. Hays
Director, Keokuk for Darfur
Keokuk, IA

Nell Okie
The New Haven Alliance for Congo
Madison, CT

Michael Schwartz
Regional Coordinator, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Cambridge, MA

Eric Frenkil
Founder, Activists United
Beloit, WI

Ruth Messinger
President, American Jewish World Service
New York, NY

Bryan Ardouny
Executive Director, Armenian Assembly of America
Washington, DC

Angie McPhaul
Coordinator, Stanford STAND
Palo Alto, CA

Sara Caine Kornfeld
Project Founder, “Change the world. It just takes cents”
Denver, CO

Rabbi Charles M. Feinberg
Adas Israel Congregation
Washington, DC

Faith J. H. McDonnell
Director, Church Alliance for a New Sudan
Washington, DC

Benjamin Swartout
Mid-Atlantic Regional Outreach, STAND
Upton, MA

Carmen Paolercio
Shine A Ray of Hope for Darfur
New Rochelle, NY

Cory Williams
Darfur and Beyond
Phoenix, AZ

Gerri Miller
Founder and Coordinator, Dear Sudan, Love Marin
Tiburon, CA