SEAL
We are calling on President Bush to do the following:
Stick to his Promises * Enforce UNAMID * Apply an All-Sudan Solution * Lobby China
President Bush’s actions with respect to Darfur have not always matched his words. Although he has signed the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act into law, the President has yet to implement all of its provisions. The President must enforce the law by prohibiting any and all federal contracts with worst offending companies. In addition, the Administration has called on the United Nations to impose targeted sanctions against individuals obstructing peace in Sudan but has not made good on his promise to pursue them. The President must immediately introduce a resolution to the United Nations Security Council that mandates international sanctions on all agents obstructing the deployment of UNAMID and the Darfur Peace Process.
In 2005 the Bush Administration facilitated the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which ended Africa’s longest civil war, the conflict between the Government of Sudan and Southern rebels. Unfortunately, despite the promises of the Bush administration, US attention has drifted away and in the intervening years the peace has been seriously threatened. It is imperative that President Bush makes good on his promise to facilitate the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). He can do this by reconvening the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in order to reassess the progress of the CPA.
President Bush acted boldly last summer when he led the United Nations to pass Resolution 1769, authorizing the deployment of a 26,000 member peacekeeping force to Darfur. Regrettably, Sudanese Government obstructionism and a lack of will on the part of international donors have crippled the implementation of Resolution 1769 to the point where few UN troops have been deployed even six months after the resolution was passed. Worse still, Sudanese government attacks on UNAMID peacekeepers have demonstrated the current inability of the force to defend itself, let alone Darfuri civilians.
President Bush must do everything in his power to financially, logistically, and diplomatically support UNAMID deployment. He can do this by authorizing funds for American allies to donate helicopters, continue to offer air transport for UANMID deployment, and support UNAMID commanders through tabletop contingency planning, or war games.
In December 2007, President Bush appointed Ambassador Richard Williamson to the position. The President must work closely with Ambassador Williamson to employ more coordinated, forceful, and comprehensive diplomacy with the various actors in Sudan.
This should include equipping Ambassador Williamson with full-time CPA and Darfur deputies and field teams that have a full-time presence in Sudan. Moreover, real diplomacy means working with our allies and other important countries to bring peace to Sudan. The President should ensure that US efforts are coordinated with those of France, Britain and China.
President Bush must reinforce Congress in using all economic and political tools available to encourage positive and meaningful Chinese engagement with the government in Khartoum. China, as a powerful and influential country has a significant and important relationship with Sudan. This year, China will host the 2008 Olympics, many viewing this event as their coming-out ceremony. However, China has not used their economic and social leverage to speak out about the genocide in Darfur to the UN Security Council or to the government of Sudan. Sponsors of the 2008 Olympics have the special opportunity to use their own economic leverage with the Chinese government in order to make significant change in Darfur. However, sponsors of the Olympics, which include GE, Coca-Cola, Volkswagen, and Swatch, have refused to speak out to China and have stayed virtually silent on the issue of Darfur.
