WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sudan Now campaign today released the following statement regarding the Obama administration's policy toward the government of Sudan:
President Barack Obama will soon announce the long-awaited results of his administration's Sudan policy review. The President's National Security Team has agreed on a white paper and forwarded it to him for his approval. While the agreed-upon policy appears to be well-calibrated approach of incentives and pressures, it doesn't address the deeply flawed diplomatic strategy that his administration is already pursuing in response to the multiple crises in Sudan, particularly in Darfur and the South. The current diplomatic strategy is undermining the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by floating ideas and alternative approaches to its strict implementation, making the resumption of North-South war more likely. Instead, the U.S. should be fashioning a coalition of countries penalizing any party that obstructs the CPA or the Darfur peace process.
Members of the Sudan Now campaign include Humanity United, the Enough Project at the Center for American Progress, Stop Genocide Now, Investors Against Genocide, and Genocide Intervention Network.
John Prendergast, the Enough Project's Co-founder, said, "The stakes in Sudan continue to climb. Attacks against civilians in southern Sudan have escalated dramatically, and the Sudanese government has launched an offensive in Darfur. Implementation of a number of key elements of the CPA have ground to a halt, putting at increasing risk the self-determination referendum for southern Sudan scheduled for 2011. This increases the prospect that Africa's largest country will split violently in two."
Mr. Prendergast continued, "President Obama must be unequivocal in publicly supporting the strict implementation of the CPA. Widespread allegations of support by the ruling National Congress Party for ethnic-based southern militias demand an immediate investigation, and improving the security situation in the South should be prioritized. The president should state clearly his support for the referendum as the cornerstone of the CPA, and direct Special Envoy Gration, Secretary Clinton, and Ambassador Rice to forge an international coalition to support this process."
Randy Newcomb, President and CEO of Humanity United said, "In order for his administration's Sudan policy to have a chance for success, President Obama has to get the diplomatic strategy right for Darfur, the South, and at the national level. If these fundamental building blocks are not addressed, Sudan will continue to inch towards a return to large-scale war."
Sudan Now is a campaign of anti-genocide advocacy organizations committed to bringing meaningful and lasting peace to Sudan and encouraging strong American leadership and action to achieve this goal. For more information, visit SudanActionNow.com.
SOURCE Center for American Progress
Center for American Progress
