Congressman Sander Levin

Stopping the Violence in Darfur

I believe the United States must do far more to break the cycle of violence and hunger that grips Darfur.

Since 2003, the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan has led to the deaths of more than 200,000 people and the displacement of more than 2.5 million more. The conflict, which has been fueled in large part by the government of Sudan’s armed forces and its proxy Janjaweed militias, was recognized by Congress and the Bush Administration as genocide in 2004. As the fighting between armed forces, Janjaweed militias, and the ever-growing number of rebel factions, continues it has expanded to neighboring Sudanese regions and neighboring countries.

Last December, I supported legislation [H.R. 2764] which provides crucial resources needed to promote peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in Sudan. This bill includes a total $1.7 billion for UN Peacekeeping of which $550 million is specifically for Darfur. Additionally, this bill provides $209 million for critical humanitarian and other peacekeeping activities in Darfur, an amount $99 million above the President’s request. The bill also provides additional aid, primarily for development assistance to build the economic base and strengthen democratic institutions in Southern Sudan.

I believe there is also more the international community must do. I welcomed the creation of the United Nations – African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), a UN peacekeeping mission formally approved by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 on July 31st, 2007 to bring stability to the region. It was initially given a mandate of 12 months with a force of about 26,000 personnel.

Unfortunately the UNAMID mission is in danger of failure. This is due in large part to the government of Sudan’s efforts to weaken and delay the mission. The government of Sudan continues to block the full deployment of UNAMID by refusing to formally approve all additional “non-African” troops, by refusing to lease suitable land for use as UNAMID bases in Darfur, by demanding unreasonable and unprecedented terms in the Status of Forces Agreement, and by outrageously attempting to impose a nighttime curfew on UNAMID operations. The government of Sudan’s Armed Forces even attacked a UNAMID convoy on the night of January 7, 2008.

As you may know, China is Sudan’s largest trading partner and greatest protector on the United Nations Security Council. Along with 119 of my colleagues, I sent a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging him to use the unique diplomatic leverage China has over Sudan to “end the government of Sudan’s blatant attempts to obstruct and weaken the UNAMID mission.”

We have taken a number of steps to stop the violence in Darfur, but we must do more. The entire international community has a responsibility to work together to stop these crimes against humanity.