Sudan Talking Points – Top Line Messages
January 11, 2011
Referendum
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The people of Sudan have endured some of the world’s most horrendous violence,including the genocide in Darfur that has claimed more than 300,000 lives andforced millions from their homes, and a 22-year civil war between the north andsouth that caused an estimated 2 million deaths, mostly in the south.
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Southern Sudanese are voting from January 9-15 in a referendum that is part of anhistoric 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended Sudan’s civil war.
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The referendum began on time, and without widespread violence. This issomething that advocates in the United States and around the world have workedvery hard for, and we appreciate the stepped diplomacy conducted by the ObamaAdministration and other world leaders.
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However, there is much work to be done before the world should take the spotlightoff of Sudan -- negotiations between north and south will continue on keyflashpoint issues that could spark renewed conflict, including wealth sharing,border delineation, citizenship and the status of contested areas like the Abyeiregion.
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We are urging U.S. leaders to make clear that the United States will maintain itshigh level of engagement pursuing peace in all of Sudan.
Darfur
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As world leaders understandably focus attention on the referendum, we remainconcerned about ongoing violence in Darfur, particularly the recent fighting insouth Darfur’s town of Khor Abeche that displaced thousands of civilians inDecember. An estimated 2.7 million Darfuri civilians are living in IDP camps andan additional 300,000 were displaced in 2010 alone. There are also ongoingreports of blocked humanitarian aid and ongoing human rights abuses in Darfur,where more than 300,000 people have died in that region’s ongoing genocide.
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We urge the United States to devote the time and attention necessary to movetoward peace and stability in Darfur. Specifically:
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The United States should make sure that any improvements in its bilateralrelationship with the Government of Sudan is tied not only to progress onNorth/South issues, but also the Government of Sudan’s support andimplementation of a non-violent solution to the Darfur crisis;
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The international community—led by the United States—should push for theGovernment of Sudan to provide unimpeded access for peacekeepers andhumanitarian workers to areas where fighting has taken place and whereinternally displaced persons have fled;
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The United States and other parties should push for effectiveimplementation of the Darfur arms embargo that could include theembargo’s expansion;
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UNAMID should collect and publish information on violence and accessissues in its area of operation; and
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The U.S. should lead international efforts to support the Doha Peaceprocess, reinvigorate the peace process in a neutral location, encourage allthe parties to negotiate in good faith and make sure a cessation of hostilities agreement is signed and implemented.
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A peaceful resolution to the unacceptable situation in Darfur is integral to the long-term stability of the entire region and should continue to be an integral componentof U.S. and international efforts in Sudan
What can the U.S. Government Do to Support Peace inSudan?
The United States must be prepared to take stronger actions if diplomaticefforts are not sufficient to prevent and/or halt violence.
These should bedetermined and prepared for in advance, and the United States should publically spellout consequences for negative action by Sudanese parties.
Support the renewal and expansion on UNMIS’ mandate:
The U.S. should supportthe renewal of the UNMIS mandate beyond July 9
th
and redefine the mandate so that apeacekeeping force will be more effective in post-CPA Sudan.
Sustain engagement throughout the process:
The U.S. should support criticalnegotiations on post- referendum issues and remain highly engaged throughout the post-referendum and post-separation process.
Ongoing Comprehensive Contingency Planning to respond to violence if/as itoccurs:
This planning should be done in coordination with our allies wherever possibleand must be kept up-to-date as the situation on the ground changes.
Ensuring flexible funds are available for emergency support:
The United Statesshould also encourage key players in the international community including UN SecurityCouncil and European Union member states to make funds available for contingencies. This includes responding quickly to any major displacement within Sudan or refugeespillover into neighboring states.
Enhance Peacekeeping Forces Capacity to Respond:
Support deployment of additional UNMIS peacekeepers to flashpoint areas, and/or if needed provide more directassistance to peacekeeping forces to quell violence.
Monitoring and intelligence gathering:
Any information on the organization orperpetration of violence should be shared as appropriate with peacekeeping forces andallies. The U.S. should be prepared to shut down military-related communication if necessary to prevent violence. The U.S. should also encourage OHCHR, OCHA, and
UNAMID to increase public reporting of human rights and access reporting at least topast levels.
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Sudan Talking Points - January 2011
Talking points on Sudan for Sudan activism
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