Africa Action Urges UN Support for Multinational Intervention in Darfur

Welcomes Agreement on ICC Referral, But Calls For Urgent Intervention to Stop Genocide & Support African Union

Friday, April 1st, 2005 (Washington, DC) - Africa Action today welcomed the passage last night of a United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution referring responsibility for adjudicating and prosecuting those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC). But Africa Action also emphasized the immediate need for urgent international intervention to stop the genocide and to protect the people of Darfur.

Ann-Louise Colgan, Director of Policy Analysis and Communications at Africa Action, said this morning, "We welcome the UN resolution on an ICC referral for Darfur, but we urge the Security Council to now shift its focus to the most immediate priority: ending the ongoing violence in Darfur and protecting millions of vulnerable civilians. Unless there is a rapid and robust international intervention in Darfur, up to a million people could be dead by the end of this year. As the genocide continues, the need for immediate humanitarian intervention in Darfur can no longer be disputed."

Recent reports confirm that the security situation in Darfur is deteriorating, and that the humanitarian crisis is reaching desperate proportions. Up to 3 million Darfurians are now described as 'conflict-affected', and the growing humanitarian need far outstrips the capacity of humanitarian agencies operating on the ground. As the rainy season approaches, there are indicators of imminent famine conditions. The death toll in Darfur has already reached up to 400,000 people in the past two years.

Colgan added, "The African Union (AU) is doing what it can on the ground, but it should not have to shoulder this burden alone. Genocide is an international crime and it requires an international response.

The U.S. and other countries must no longer be allowed to hide behind the slogan of 'African solutions for African problems', abdicating their own responsibility to take action. The situation in Darfur requires a strong international presence on the ground to reinforce and expand upon the efforts of the African Union."

Marie Clarke Brill, Director of Public Education & Mobilization at Africa Action, said this morning, "Increasing numbers of people across the country are demanding urgent U.S. leadership to stop genocide in Darfur. The White House must break its silence and do everything in its power to move the UN Security Council to take action and form a multinational intervention force to protect the people of Darfur. We will no longer tolerate the failure of the international community to save the people of Darfur from what UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recently described as 'little short of hell on earth.'"

Clarke Brill added, "Africa Action will continue to help raise the voices of people of faith and conscience who cry out for justice in Sudan. We will shame the U.S. into action!"

Africa Action today reiterated its call on the U.S. to do everything necessary to secure a UN Security Council Resolution authorizing a multinational intervention force to stop the genocide in Darfur. Africa Action calls on the Security Council to: (1) Work with the African Union to strengthen its mandate under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, to enable it to protect the civilians of Darfur and to enforce a cease-fire; (2) Expand this force by soliciting military personnel and logistical, communications & financial support from UN member nations to form a UN peacekeeping operation to incorporate and support the AU troops.

Such an international intervention is needed to stop the killing and provide security for the people of Darfur, and facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance. It is also necessary in order to provide a stable environment for meaningful peace talks to proceed, and for the safe return of displaced people to their land.

Africa Action continues to hold weekly 'speak-out vigils' at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, every Wednesday, urging U.S. action to stop the genocide in Darfur. Next Wednesday, April 6th, on the eve of the 11th Anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, Africa Action will hold a major 'speak-out vigil' at 5:30pm at Lafayette Park, bringing hundreds of activists and special guest speakers who will demand U.S. action to stop the genocide in Darfur.