Amir Osman, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Save Darfur Coaltion, appeared on Voice of America’s In Focus to discuss the recently released Sudanese Policy Review:
Posts Tagged Sudan Policy Review
U.S. Policy on Sudan on VOA’s In Focus
Friday, November 6th, 2009
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.
Jerry Responds to Sudan Policy Review
Monday, October 19th, 2009Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition, reacts to today’s Sudan strategy roll out:
5 things you can do:
Video + Transcript from Sudan Strategy Rollout (Updated)
Monday, October 19th, 2009The State Department has released the video and transcript from the Obama Administration’s strategy roll out for Sudan.
Secretary of State Clinton said that the roll out:
It reflects the Administration’s seriousness, sense of urgency, and collective agreement about how best to address the complex challenges that have prevented resolution of the crisis in Darfur and full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Read the full transcript here.
Update: You can read a transcript of the background briefing with senior Administration officials held immediately following the press conference
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.
White House Statement on Sudan Strategy
Monday, October 19th, 2009From the White House:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2009Statement of President Barack Obama on Sudan Strategy
Today, my Administration is releasing a comprehensive strategy to confront the serious and urgent situation in Sudan.
For years, the people of Sudan have faced enormous and unacceptable hardship. The genocide in Darfur has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and left millions more displaced. Conflict in the region has wrought more suffering, posing dangers beyond Sudan’s borders and blocking the potential of this important part of Africa. Sudan is now poised to fall further into chaos if swift action is not taken.
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. First, we must seek a definitive end to conflict, gross human rights abuses and genocide in Darfur. Second, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the North and South in Sudan must be implemented to create the possibility of long-term peace. These two goals must both be pursued simultaneously with urgency. Achieving them requires the commitment of the United States, as well as the active participation of international partners. Concurrently, we will work aggressively to ensure that Sudan does not provide a safe-haven for international terrorists.
The United States Special Envoy has worked actively and effectively to engage all of the parties involved, and he will continue to pursue engagement that saves lives and achieves results. Later this week, I will renew the declaration of a National Emergency with respect to Sudan, which will continue tough sanctions on the Sudanese Government. If the Government of Sudan acts to improve the situation on the ground and to advance peace, there will be incentives; if it does not, then there will be increased pressure imposed by the United States and the international community. As the United States and our international partners meet our responsibility to act, the Government of Sudan must meet its responsibilities to take concrete steps in a new direction.
Over the last several years, governments, non-governmental organizations, and individuals, and from around the world have taken action to address the situation in Sudan, and to end the genocide in Darfur. Going forward, all of our efforts must be measured by the lives that are led by the people of Sudan. After so much suffering, they deserve a future that allows them to live with greater dignity, security, and opportunity. It will not be easy, and there are no simple answers to the extraordinary challenges that confront this part of the world. But now is the time for all of us to come together, and to make a strong and sustained effort on behalf of a better future for the people of Sudan.
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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
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