On Tuesday, November 11th Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler and STAND Student Director Layla Amjadi sat down for an hour long discussion with Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration and NSC Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs Samantha Power about the Obama Administration’s plan for promoting peace in Sudan. Jerry and Layla asked questions submitted by hundreds of activists from around the country. Take a look:
Posts Tagged Scott Gration
Live Webcast from the White House Today at 3:00 PM (EST) — UPDATED
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009Update: The webcast has concluded. We will put up video from the event and a transcript as soon as the White House makes them available. In the meantime, check out these behind-the-scenes photos from Thursday’s webcast:
Now We Need Presidential Leadership
Thursday, October 29th, 2009Cross posted from the Huffington Post
Now that the dust is settling from the release of the Obama administration’s Sudan strategy we can begin to assess the landscape. The greatest virtues of the strategy are that it lays out the path the administration intends to follow and provides a basis for the advocacy community to hold the administration accountable. At the same time, it makes clear that the U.S. policy can take different paths depending on the actions of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and other actors. Although it provides principles for deciding what path to take, the decisions themselves have yet to be made. Our advocacy role will be to push President Obama and the administration to make the right decisions.
The basic guidelines for deciding which path to take seem right. In U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s words, the focus will be on “concrete and tangible progress” before any incentives are provided. Moreover, the new U.S. policy provides clarity that not only will there be no rewards for the status quo, there will be consequences if it does not change for the better.
A huge open question is how engaged the President will be in implementing this new policy. His absence from the public roll-out was not encouraging. It sent a message to Khartoum and key heads of state around the world that he has delegated Sudan to others and that he does not plan to personally lead the effort to end the crisis in Darfur and promote peace in all of Sudan. A critical test of his commitment will be whether he makes Sudan a priority when he meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao in a few weeks. I for one will be watching closely, and calling him out if he doesn’t.
As for the new strategy, one thing we should be clear about is that the issue has never been engagement or non-engagement with the NCP. Rather, it has been the terms of engagement, which for nine months have been totally unclear, even worrisome. Now the terms are clearer on paper; we will have to see in practice.
Stronger Humanitarian Plan Needed in US Policy Review
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009The long awaited release of the new US policy on Sudan outlines several key points that lay the framework for lasting peace there. With a focus on a comprehensive approach to Sudan, the US administration recognizes the importance that peace in Darfur, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and border safety play in establishing and maintaining stability for the people of Sudan. It is refreshing to see a US strategy that takes a holistic approach, recognizing the commitment made to all Sudanese people and the strength of US leadership in the international community.
In Refugees International’s October 19 press release, Acting President Joel Charny highlighted the strengths of the new US policy. It also reminded us that while we strive for effective multilateral engagement, we cannot forget the plight of those that have already been victimized by the conflict, for whom achieving justice is one of our biggest responsibilities to the people of Sudan.
It is unfortunate that the policy failed to mention US support in improving the conditions of displaced Sudanese people. Earlier this year when Refugees International traveled to south Sudan, we documented the grave conditions throughout the south and the severe lack of access to basic services. Instead of focusing on politically motivated returns (as the governments of Sudan have done), it is critical that the US support reintegration projects for those who have already returned home, but are struggling to rebuild their communities. Safe and consistent access to water, education, health services, and livelihood opportunities will help mitigate tensions that are steadily on the rise. This is a crucial link to security in Sudan that the US policy did not address.
It is also worthy to note the US has proactively sought open dialogue with all of the various local and national stakeholders in Sudan. This is an admirable venture on the part of the administration and reminds us of the importance of community based reconciliation and justice. It is also comforting to know that the US will hold Sudan to an “assessment of progress [that is] based on verifiable changes in conditions on the ground.” Likewise, it is critical that those changes in conditions be linked to humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian aid workers. We can not forget the international and national relief agencies that were banned and expelled from Darfur in response to the International Criminal Court decision to indict President al-Bashir. The operating environment in Darfur remains hostile and vulnerable civilians are left to pay the price. The Sudanese government must show a real commitment to eliminating bureaucratic impediments and allowing and facilitating access to needed services throughout Sudan.
I hope that the Obama administration truly makes Sudan a priority on its agenda and not only takes advantage of the anticipation surrounding the 2010 election and 2011 referendum. A long term investment in rebuilding Sudan is necessary and the United States must step up and lead the way for the international community.
Limnyuy Konglim is an Advocacy Associate with Refugees International.
Something For Everyone: Why Implementation Matters
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
In an interesting development yesterday, all the major political groups in Sudan showed a moment of “rare unity in welcoming [the] US policy.” The Save Darfur Coalition and other groups also welcomed the administration’s emphasis on a balance of incentives and disincentives for peacemaking in Sudan – but stressed that implementation would be critical to the policy’s success.
This unusual moment of cohesion demonstrates why effective implementation of the American plan will be paramount in achieving the objectives set out in the policy review. When all sides praise your plan, despite having contradictory interests and motives, you must realize that your work has only just begun. What will shape these actors long-term interpretation of the Obama administration’s policy are not the principles or strategies found in the review, but the very next steps in the engagement process.
Energy and Purpose
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009Yesterday the Obama Administration released their long awaited policy towards Sudan and acheiving peace there and in Darfur. As exciting as it is to finally have a policy…anything from the administration regarding Darfur and Sudan, one cannot help but be a little cautious.
The situation in Darfur is far from resolved and as Secretary Clinton put it earlier today, “the people of Darfur continue to live in unconscionable and unacceptable conditions.” It is that knowledge that one hopes will serve as the guiding light for President Obama, the State Department, and Special Envoy Scott Gration regarding policy decisions.
From Save Darfur Coalition President Jerry Fowler:
“Several things are critical for effective implementation. First, incentives should not be provided before there is concrete and lasting progress on resolving Sudan’s interlocking crises, opening political space for Sudanese to determine their future and protecting human rights. Second, the U.S. must generate multilateral support for both incentives and pressures. And third, we need to see substantial personal involvement from President Obama – for example, he must make Sudan a priority when he goes to China next month.”
Equally, President Obama made clear that he was committed to bringing peace, justice and stability to the region. From the official White House release:
“Our conscience and our interests in peace and security call upon the United States and the international community to act with a sense of urgency and purpose.”
It will, Mr. President, take just that sort of leadership and effort on behalf of you and your administration. This crisis doesn’t call for a referee or a foreman, but a leader. You, as citizen and Senator were just that leader. Now we ask that you again, as President, speak for those that “live in unconscionable and unacceptable conditions”, and help bring stability to the people of Darfur and Sudan.
Why the urgency: two breaking news items
Monday, October 19th, 2009
This morning Secretary Clinton, Ambassador Rice, and General Gration all spoke of the “sense of urgency” in dealing with Sudan’s interlocking crises. Two breaking headlines from Sudan today confirm the urgent necessity of finding a durable solution to Darfur and preventing the collapse of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
First, Bloomberg News is reporting that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement announced today that it will boycott parliament for a week to pressure the country’s ruling party to amend bills including one that gives “unlimited powers” to intelligence services. This move comes after a weekend where the National Congress Party and SPLM reached a tentative compromise on the referendum. Yet, this progress was not enough to meet the SPLM’s ultimatum last week that gave parliament a week to make significant progress on a number of pieces of critical legislation:
“We want to see a parliamentary schedule for the discussion of all the nine laws,” Yasser Arman, head of the former rebel group’s northern sector, told reporters today in Khartoum. “The current security law allows for detention, search and arrest, and gives a lot of immunity to the security body. And this is against the constitution.”
Arman goes on to say that the NCP now has until October 26; otherwise the SPLM will boycott the remaining sessions in parliament that run until November 30.
The other troubling news comes from UNAMID, the African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur, which released the following warning about a noticeable increase in military activities in Darfur:
UNAMID personnel in the field have recently observed a sizable and unusual increase in military activities by the Government of Sudan (GoS) and Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid Faction (SLA/AW) forces, notably in the areas of Sortony and Kabkabiya in North Darfur. UNAMID is gravely concerned by this build-up as it may signal the impending start of a new cycle of armed confrontations in the area.
Initial Reaction to Sudan Policy Review
Monday, October 19th, 2009
President Obama and Scott Gration in April (White House Photo/Pete Souza)
This morning’s release of the Sudan policy review covered many of the main points outlined in the Blueprint for Peace and our checklist for an effective Sudan strategy.
Most important, the administration’s policy lays out three strategic U.S. objectives:
- A definitive end to conflict, gross human rights abuses, and genocide in Darfur.
- Implementation of the North-South CPA that results in a peaceful post-2011 Sudan, or an orderly path toward two separate and viable states at peace with each other.
- Ensure that Sudan does not provide a safe haven for international terrorists.
The Coalition has long advocated a comprehensive policy approach to resolving Sudan’s crises. Securing peace in Darfur, resolving tensions over the implementation of the CPA, and preventing Sudan from becoming a terrorist safe haven will benefit all Sudanese.
What matters most, however, is effective implementation. This should ensure:
- Incentives should not be provided before there is concrete and lasting progress on resolving Sudan’s interlocking crises, opening political space for Sudanese to determine their future and protecting human rights.
- The U.S. must generate multilateral support for both incentives and pressures.
- We need to see substantial personal involvement from President Obama – for example, he must make Sudan a priority when he goes to China next month.
The policy outlines pressures and incentives, but the Coalition believes that only an evidence-based approach towards evaluating progress on the ground is warranted given the Government of Sudan’s long history of broken promises. The emphasis by the administration on witnessing verifiable progress before providing incentives to the regime is welcome, as is its stated determination to punish those who do not cooperate.
Sudan Policy Review Briefing Live
Monday, October 19th, 2009Update: The press conference has concluded. We will post a video of the press conference as soon as it becomes available. You can also read the State Department’s outline of the strategy, Sudan: A Critical Moment, A Comprehensive Approach.
Watch the State Department’s
Sudan Policy Review
briefing live on CNN.com
Obama Administration Set to Release Sudan Strategy
Saturday, October 17th, 2009
The Obama administration plans to release its long-awaited Sudan strategy document at 9 a.m. on Monday, apparently with a press conference including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, and Special Envoy for Sudan Scott Gration.
Elements of the strategy were outlined by Special Envoy Gration on Friday at an event at Kean University and in leaks to the press. According to the Washington Post, the policy will call “for a campaign of ‘pressure and incentives’ to cajole the government in Khartoum into pursuing peace in the troubled Darfur region, settling disputes with the autonomous government in southern Sudan and providing the United States greater cooperation in stemming international terrorism.” As more details are provided, we’ll compare the strategy to our checklist for an effective policy.
Beyond details, actual implementation will be crucial, and there will be at least three elements that will be vital: (1) No front loading of incentives, which should only be provided after concrete and lasting progress is made by the Government of Sudan; (2) generating multilateral support for both incentives and pressures; and (3) direct presidential leadership in the process.
Save Darfur will closely monitor implementation, keeping in mind the ultimate objective: a Sudan whose people can live free of fear and whose rights are protected by a government that legitimately represents them.
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