Statement by Joel Charny, Acting President, Refugees International:
Washington, DC -- "The new policy on Sudan announced by the Obama administration today represents a welcome clarification after months of ambiguity as to how exactly the administration would approach the various challenges presented by this pivotal country. The core commitment to a “comprehensive approach” to ending ongoing violence in Darfur, implementing the north-south peace agreement, and minimizing threats of further fragmentation and conflict in border areas between the northern and southern regions is welcome. Emphasizing the importance of inclusion and consultation --- with Darfuri civil society and international and regional governments especially --- commits the administration to a multilateral path that is the only hope for resolving Sudan’s knotty problems.
"The policy contains a number of noteworthy elements. For years Refugees International has bemoaned the relative lack of direct U.S. support for equipment vital to the performance of UNAMID, the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, especially helicopters. The new policy specifically commits the U.S. to doing so. It also commits the U.S. to devoting substantial resources and energy to assuring that the various elections and referenda mandated by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement can actually be carried out on time and with sufficient credibility. The U.S. will also devote resources to reducing tensions in the three critical border areas of Abyei, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile.
"However, the policy’s greatest weakness is that it lacks clear plans to address continued problems of humanitarian access and meet the needs of displaced people and those returning home. The U.S. and the United Nations did not do enough in March when the Sudanese government expelled 13 international relief agencies in retaliation for the International Criminal Court decision to issue an arrest warrant against Sudanese President al-Bashir for having perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Since then, while some agencies have been able to return, the operating environment in Darfur has remained problematic, with agency staff subject to visa restrictions, limits on access, and other forms of harassment. Ease of humanitarian access and a real commitment on the part of the Sudanese government to facilitate the work of international agencies must be key criteria for assessing the government’s overall performance.
"As for the situation in the south, the policy emphasizes promoting greater governance capacity on the part of the Government of South Sudan. But this is a long-term project. In the meantime, displaced people who have returned home are desperate for community-level support for basic livelihood projects, schools, and health posts. Rapid investment in rural areas remains essential, as the people of the south have seen little or no peace dividend nearly five years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The U.S. should urge the Government of South Sudan to devise and fund a strategy for people who have returned home that helps them reintegrate into their communities. Increased support for women’s programs is especially critical. Funding for emergency relief must also continue to ensure resources are available to respond to emergencies created by new conflicts, natural disasters, and epidemics.
“Another gap in the policy is the lack of a clear commitment to protect people from further violence in the south. Local conflicts are beginning to increase and people feel vulnerable in the absence of a sustained government security presence. They are resorting to arming themselves for their own protection. The U.S. must work with the Government of South Sudan to improve its police forces and its ability to protect civilians.
"Finally, there is the nagging question of justice. The public summary of the policy states unequivocally that, "Accountability for genocide and atrocities is necessary for reconciliation and lasting peace." Yet this very policy commits the U.S. to negotiating with the ruling party of Sudan whose leader has an outstanding ICC arrest warrant against him. This fundamental contradiction has not been addressed. Further, while there is reference to the possibility of further sanctions against specific actors who fail to meet their commitments to ending atrocities and building a peaceful Sudan, without a specific set of criteria or a detailed timeline, such statements ring hollow.
"Clarity on the benchmarks --- and the rewards or sanctions for success or failure in meeting them --- is essential if the policy is to effect real change for the vulnerable people of Sudan."
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Links:
[1] http://www.refugeesinternational.org
[2] mailto:vanessa@refugeesinternational.org