International Pressure needs to be Sustained to save Sudan

Monday 30th August marked the deadline of the United Nations for the Sudanese Government to improve security in the troubled Darfur region. By the deadline yesterday, the United Nations required the Sudanese Government to disarm the pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias blamed for ethnic cleansing in Darfur, killing thousands of black Africans and forcing many to flee - otherwise, Sudan would face the prospect of possible sanctions. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will submit a report for the decision.

The world has looked forward to the deadline day, especially the UK Government, which has been putting persistent effort into aid work and peace dialogue.

The UK Government is conservatively optimistic of the future of Sudan, and is confident in its efforts in the peace-making process so far, as revealed by a British top politician yesterday. While Oxfam, the leading UK-based aid agency warned that the Sudan crisis is still critical, the UK called for the sustaining of international pressure on Sudan.

Last Monday, the Foreign Secretary of Great Britain, Jack Straw met Sudan’s President Omar al-Beshir and other senior officials. Straw has taken a vital role in the peace talks between the Sudanese Government and rebel groups, in using Britain’s international status. Straw urged Sudan to comply with U.N. demands to end the conflict in Darfur. Straw also criticised the insufficient progress of the Sudanese government towards the militias.

The UK Government has now become more positive in its efforts in bringing peace to Sudan. The International Development Secretary of Great Britain Hilary Benn, said in a radio progroamme yesterday morning, the Sudanese Government had been in denial before but was now facing up to the situation.

Mr Benn said, “The situation has changed substantially and that is a result of huge international pressure.”

Benn’s declaration sheds light to the misery of Darfur. Benn also said that the progress made on the humanitarian front is satisfactory but security remained a key concern and it was vital that a political settlement was found. He encouraged the world to maintain international pressure on Sudan as the situation is still critical.

Mr Benn has pledged on behalf of the UK, “It’s absolutely vital that the people of Darfur should feel the world community and countries of Africa are looking out for them and are going to take the steps that are necessary to ensure the conflict does come to an end.” He said the international community was determined not to turn away from the suffering of the Sudanese people.

According to Oxfam’s press release yesterday, the onset of the rainy season has contributed to the deterioration of public health, with high rates of malnutrition, bloody diarrhoea, and waterborne diseases such as hepatitis E reported throughout Darfur.

Also, continued insecurity plagues the region, with reports of women being regularly subjected to extreme forms of harassment and violence, including beating, abduction and gang rape. The current situation was commented on as an “immense disaster”.

Caroline Nursey, Oxfam’s Regional Director, urged the world to offer even more support to Sudanese victims, “Time is running out for desperate people in Darfur and Chad. Despite welcome international attention the humanitarian situation remains critical. Now is the time to act. The international community has a moral obligation to do everything possible to end this conflict and alleviate the suffering that has resulted from it. As long as hundreds of thousands of people are still hungry, sick, and living in fear, every government in the world is failing the people of Darfur.”