Darfur: if not now, when?

By NORMAN L. EPSTEIN

The world is teetering shamefully toward a diminished humanity unless we stop the senseless slaughter in Sudan. For more than three years in Darfur, the government of Sudan and its proxy militias have attacked African villages with impunity, causing the death of some 400,000 people and leaving almost three million languishing in internally displaced persons camps.

Despite the government’s adamant denial, there is a credible paper trail indicting many in the upper echelons of the Khartoum regime for orchestrating this genocide. In fact, last year, a UN fact-finding mission found many of these influential government members should be tried for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Perversely, we continue to negotiate with the Sudanese government for an international force to intervene, as though they are part of the solution, when in fact, they are the source of the problem.

UN humanitarian aid head Jan Egeland made this disparaging statement recently: “I cannot give a starker warning than to say that we are at a point where even hope may escape us and the lives of hundreds of thousands could be needlessly lost.”

Some 26,000 government soldiers and the regime’s proxy militia, the Janjaweed, have relaunched widespread attacks in Darfur, which many fear could reignite the systematic murder of African Sudanese that has not been seen since the early days of the genocide.

Humanitarian aid groups have continued to withdraw and curtail operations as they have been attacked. The Darfur Peace Agreement, signed in May, outlined the steps to be taken to achieve peace in the area. But little of it has been implemented, and African groups continue to be marginalized. Only one small faction of the anti-government rebels, under the leadership of Mini Minawi, signed the accord. However, Minawi then proceeded to attack larger rebel factions in order to entrench his power base. Clearly, the situation is about to spiral out of control without a robust international intervention.

On Aug. 31, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1706 authorizing at least 17,000 multinational troops with a strong mandate to protect civilians and humanitarian aid workers and disarm both sides. Twelve members of the Security Council voted in favour, while China, Russia and Qatar abstained. However, there is one troubling stipulation in the resolution. The government of Sudan has been “invited to consent” to such a UN initiative.

It is unlikely that the response will be a cordial and embracing RSVP. Based on rumblings from Khartoum, the government of Sudan categorically rejects any kind of international intervention – even though the undermanned and ill-equipped African Union Force that is trying to help stop the violence in the area has a feckless mandate. It also realizes it is unable to provide security to a region as large as France and has asked for help.

Thus the UN forces sanctioned by the Security Council must either wait for Sudan’s unlikely acquiescence or the mission will proceed non-consensually, if at all.

It was with this mind, in an unprecedented show of solidarity, that rallies were held on Sept 17 in more than 40 countries around the globe. A Day for Darfur implored the international community to deploy the necessary forces without further delay.

In Canada, rallies or events were held in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax. The unspeakable suffering of Darfuris resonates with Canadians and has led to the organization of a larger coalition called Save Darfur Canada (www.savedarfurcanada.org). Canadians want to make ending the carnage in western Sudan a foreign policy priority.

A Canadian Unity Statement, signed at the time by more than 50 faith-based, humanitarian and human rights groups, calls on Canada to use its diplomatic clout to ensure that the international force is deployed as soon as possible. Reports out of Ottawa indicate Canada could offer 300 to 400 soldiers, a squadron of CF-18s to enforce a no-fly zone and a digitalized communications network, all without jeopardizing the mission in Afghanistan.

If Canada is to lead and ask other countries to ante up, its credibility will be enhanced if it offers some soldiers and essential logistics to a peacemaking mission. Canada and the international community need to ensure that humanitarian aid levels are maintained. Security must be guaranteed to permit safe passage of this vital aid, with unhindered access to all who are in dire need. Finally, all elements of the Darfur Peace Agreement must be vigorously implemented, including the disarming of the Janjaweed.

The timing of the Sept. 17 rallies was not just linked to the critical situation in Darfur. It also coincided with the first anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the doctrine of the Responsibility to Protect. This historic initiative was spearheaded and sponsored by Canada. It states unequivocally that if a sovereign nation is unable or unwilling to protect its innocent civilians from extreme harm, the international community must intervene.

It is unconscionable that the international community negotiates with, panders to and “invites consent” from the Khartoum regime that is responsible for egregious crimes against its own people.

Can one imagine a scenario in which Allied troops about to enter Germany in 1945 sought permission from Hitler and his odious regime to liberate the concentration camps there?

Jewish groups and individuals have been in the vanguard to end the unmitigated suffering in Darfur. Although never genuinely invoked, “Never again” resonates within our community. “Never again” can no longer remain a euphemism of lost opportunity to end genocide. It must become bold words in bold print that lead to bold action – a promise made and a commitment kept!

This is a watershed time for the world to act morally. Thousand of African lives hang in the balance. The theme of the Sept. 17 rallies proclaimed: “Protect Darfur now – time is running out!” If not now, then when? For if we fail this time, have we not failed, once more, the test of humanity?

Norman Epstein is co-chair of Canadians Against Slavery and Torture in Sudan.