This page provides requests for your advocacy action.  A list of previous actions is at the end of this page.

Current Action Request

05-2009: More than ever, the situation in Sudan tells us how important all three elements of our advocacy strategy remain.  Pray, Act, and Give.  The humanitarian situation in Darfur and other areas of Northern Sudan remain unresolved.  South Sudan is on the brink of collapse.  The people need help to rebuild their lives.  And the government must focus on the budget crisis to avoid a breakdown of law and order.  A collapse would shatter any realistic prospect for peace in Sudan as a whole, including the Darfur region.

Refugees International has an action request that we support.  The needs in south Sudan for water, food and medical care are pressing.  The resulting instability is threatening peace throughout all of Sudan, including Darfur.  After the end of a 21-year civil war, we must do everything we can to help people rebuild their lives and avoid any destabilization of a fragile peace.  Please go to the following link and send a message to your representatives.  Cut and paste in your browser if needed.

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/421/t/8744/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=736

Please also pray for peace, for reconciliation, and for the emergence of servant-leaders with the courage to do the right things.

2009 BACKGROUND

As expected, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's President, Omar al-Bashir. President Bashir has thrown out many international humanitarian aid organizations, dissolved three domestic groups and escalated the conflict. The possibility of a further deterioration of the situation on the ground represents an immediate challenge for the Obama administration. How the United States responds to Bashir's actions will factor greatly into what the Sudanese regime actually does over the long term. President Obama's response must be firm in addressing this immediate threat, but should not lose sight of the larger strategic goals that ought to be at the center of a new administration's policy: an unyielding focus on brokering a peace deal for Darfur and the implementation of the existing Comprehensive Peace Agreement, or CPA, the 2005 agreement to end the 22-year war between northern and southern Sudan.

FOCUSING ON THE LONG TERM SOLUTION

While immediate attention must be paid to the critical situation in Darfur, President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan Rice must also establish and implement a holistic strategy to bring long-lasting peace to Sudan. Focusing on an all-Sudan solution and ensuring that U.S. policy shifts from managing Sudan's conflict to ending it will be important in framing the overall strategy approach.  The United States must take leadership in launching an international peace surge for Sudan.  Leverage for bringing peace to Sudan can come from the following actions:

 *  Supporting the ICC's investigation into crimes against humanity

 *  Enhancing international efforts to isolate the regime economically

 *  Expanding the arms embargo

 *  Making the joint United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force more effective

 *  Enforcing the UN ban on offensive military flights over Darfur

Members of the Obama administration have spoken passionately about their intention to act boldly to end the crisis in Darfur and promote international efforts toward a peaceful future in Sudan. Now they have the chance to do so at a crucial juncture in Sudan's history.

2009 COMPLETED ACTIONS

04-2009   Feb 9, 2009 Joined others in sending letter to Secretary of State Clinton seeking:  appointment of a full-time special envoy for Sudan, with a clear mandate, authority, and staff; aggressive reengagement in efforts to ensure the full implementation of the CPA; collaboration with relevant regional leaders to pressure both the Government of Sudan and the Darfur rebels to establish an effective ceasefire and to bring about a just and durable peace;  a review of current U.S. regional policy and development of new strategies for engagement. 

03-2009  Feb 7, 2009   SAAF sent letter to Rep. Chris Smith (R, NJ) seeking the reintroduction of the Eradication of Slavery in Sudan Act of 2007 in the current congress noting that slavery is one of the less publicized impediments to peace in Sudan. 

02-2009   Feb 5, 2009   SAAF sent letter to Ambassador to the United Nations Susan D. Rice supporting the United Nations Security Council members who deplore the pressure being exerted on the UNAMID mission at Muhajeria by Sudanese armed forces and who urge  Sudan’s government to cease terrorizing the UNAMID mission at Muhajeria and to exercise maximum restraint where UNAMID peacekeeping forces and innocent civilians are known to be situated.