Khartoum announced that it was ceasing all military operations and will begin disarming government allied militias in Darfur, “provided that an effective monitoring mechanism is put into action and observed by all involved parties.” That is a loophole big enough to drive a tank through, or for that matter, fly an Antonov bomber through.
There is a desperate need for a unilateral cease-fire by Khartoum which even now continues to build up forces in West Darfur according to Darfuri sources. And there is a desperate need to have an international monitoring and verification force on the ground, and in the air, in Darfur to ensure that the cease-fire is in fact being observed. This can be done through the existing UNAMID mission with immediate assistance from Security Council members of necessary resources.
If the government of Sudan is serious for the first time since the genocide began about bringing an end to this shameful chapter in Sudan’s history, it will actually implement these steps immediately and without condition. Should they enact such a cease-fire and disarmament effort, and should any Darfuri rebel movement attempt to launch attacks during this time, the international community must weigh in with the full force of its condemnation. The suffering of Darfuri civililans must be brought to an end and any who would continue to threaten that must be held to account.
The situation on the ground only provides more evidence of the need for the current White House administration to coordinate with incoming President-elect Barack Obama’s administration on a coherent US strategy to work with the international community to end this tragedy. The situation on the ground will not wait for us. We must be able to begin the process of ending this conflict now.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
unusmundus says:
I just started a prototype clothing line that show cases world crises. I have Darfur as one of my initial causes and hoping to raise some funds for Women for Women, a charity that sponsors women in Darfur and other regions to provide financial, emotional and job training support. You can check my line at: http://www.unusmundusclothing.com
mandino says:
I don’t think that there will be any cease fire if none of the parties resolve in a voluntary act of arms down without the pressure from outside forces. It has been a lot of years already since the conflict first began. As long as there is a conflict, no one in either side would like a voluntary disarmament without the pressure from the outside forces. Since ending the war by means of disarmament, won’t be as easy, but there is one way to end the war without shedding blood and at the same time without condemning either parties, that is through education. Helping people learn things without war is a means to fulfilling the peaceful end to the conflict. I stumbled to a site: http://emmaacademyproject.com/ that helps build schools for the children in Sudan, in which educating the children in Sudan would mean peace and safety for the nation of Sudan. I am very sure that building schools in Sudan, and in supporting education in Sudan would really help end the war in a peaceful manner.