NGOs Urge the UN to Apply Pressure to Sudan Security

The Security Council of the United Nations (UN) is going to hold a historical meeting to specifically address the issue of Sudan in Nairobi later this week, and a coalition of six international humanitarian aid agencies yesterday issued a statement to urge the UN to take stronger action in Sudan.

The agencies have been working in Sudan for more than 20 years, including CARE International, Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, Oxfam International, Save the Children UK and Tearfund.

There are two previous resolutions on the troubled region of Darfur. However, civilians suffering from attacks and displacement from their home are still being observed on a large scale by the agencies. Even worse, most of the refugee camps are overcrowded and unsanitary. Because of the increased harassment and violent coercion of displaced people, the Sudanese government are forcing people to return home or relocate.

Cynthia Gaigals, a spokesperson for the coalition of agencies said, “The signing of the Humanitarian and Security Protocols by the warring parties at the Abuja talks is a very welcome first step; however, what the people of Darfur urgently need is an immediate improvement in security on the ground. Words are meaningless without action to stop the daily killings.”

Gaigals called on the UN to set out concrete measures to be taken against the Government of Sudan, the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement if they continue to break their commitments to resolve the crisis in Darfur.

“Previous UN Resolutions on Darfur have amounted to little more than empty threats, with minimal impact on the levels of violence. The Security Council must now outline specific and time-bound compliance measures and agree to implement them if there is no clear and sustained progress. Idle threats from the Security Council have not, and will not help the people of Darfur,” she continued.

The coming UN meeting will discuss how to end the 21-year conflict between North and South Sudan - known as the IGAD peace talk. The coalition of agencies believe that the talk should be one that will benefit all regions of Sudan.

The creation of social justice in Sudan in all social, economic and political life is the ultimate solution to all the conflicts. Therefore, the agencies have a high expectation for the coming meeting.

“The IGAD peace process offers the best starting point for a sustainable peace for people in all areas of Sudan. We urge the UN to use its considerable influence to encourage a swift conclusion of the North-South peace process and promote linkages between this process and the peace talks on Darfur.”