Darfur Crisis Update -- Enough Articulates The Answer
By Richard Power
While we struggle to end the foolish military adventure in Iraq and thwart a second foolish military adventure in Iran, it is important that we do not allow ourselves to be distracted from what is going on in the Sudan. While we struggle to raise awareness and compel urgent action on global warming, it is important that we do not allow ourselves to be distracted from what is going on in the Sudan.
The peoples and eco-systems of the world are wholly interconnected and interdependent. Global security and national security are synonymous.
Coming to grips with failed states is a national security priority. Global warming is a national security priority. Thwarting genocide is a national security priority.
It is unforgivable that those in power have not heeded the lessons of Vietnam and Algeria, but it is also unforgivable, indeed almost incomprehensible, that they have not heeded the much more recent lessons of Rwanda and the Balkans.
Enough: The Project to End Genocide and Mass Atrocities, is a joint initiative of the International Crisis Group and the Center for American Progress
Enough recently released a strategy paper by ICG’s John Prendergast, entitled The Answer to Darfur. It articulates a mix of policies that Prendergast asserts could stablise Darfur “within a year.”
All six sides of the following policy Rubik’s Cube must align and be pursued simultaneously by the international community, led by U.S. policy-makers in the executive and legislative branches and citizen activists:
1) Support rebel unity
2) Build an effective peace process
3) Secure full-time, high-level U.S. diplomacy
4) Accelerate military planning and action for protection
5) Impose punitive measures now
6) Ramp up global citizen activism
Once the recent policy history is reviewed and the real lessons learned from the 18 deadly years this regime has been in power, the answers become clear and obvious. Only the elusive ingredient called political will remains missing.
THE 3 P’S OF CONFRONTING MASS ATROCITIES
The ENOUGH Campaign has developed a simple organizing framework for the required international response for every crisis marked by the commission of mass atrocities. The 3 P’s we use are promoting the peace, protecting the people, and punishing the perpetrators. Elements of each of these are part and parcel of every successful response in memory.
Promoting peace encompasses numbers one, two, and three of the Policy Rubik’s Cube above (support rebel unity, build an effective peace process, and secure full time, high level U.S. involvement). Diplomatic efforts are urgently needed to unify the rebels, develop a viable and comprehensive peace process for Darfur, and get the U.S. engaged more directly in brokering a peace deal.
Protecting people involves number four of the Policy Rubik’s Cube above (accelerate military planning and action for protection). The existing AU force must be immediately strengthened, and planning for coercive military measures must be accelerated.
Punishing perpetrators involves number five of the Policy Rubik’s Cube above (impose punitive measures now). The policy sticks must be utilized now and then suspended or lifted once full compliance is achieved, thus giving the international actors who are trying to promote peace and protect people the leverage they need to do so.
Finally, number six of the Policy Rubik’s Cube above, global activist campaigning (people power, if we had a fourth P), helps generate the political will for the other five sides of the Cube and for the 3 P’s.
To download The Answer To Darfur, click here.
Of course, you did not hear mention of this study or any debate of its proposals on ABC Week In Revision, CBS Fork the Nation or NBC Meat the Press this weekend, nor will you next weekend.
As Prendergast emphasizes, “global activist campaigning” is vital.
Whether you choose to work on boycotting the Beijing Olympics, seeking divestment in the Sudan, contributing to NGOs on the ground in Darfur, or some other aspect of the struggle, it is imperative that you orientate your will, tap your spiritual power, raise your voice and take some direct action.
If you want to help save Darfur, here are some sites that offer suggestions on how to participate:
Mia Farrow
Save Darfur!
Genocide Intervention Network
Five Most Recent Darfur-Related Posts:
GS(3) Thunderbolt 3-29-07: Update on Darfur Crisis -- Mia Farrow Calls for Olympics Boycott, Demands Spielberg Not "Sanitize" Beijing's Image
Hard Rain Journal 2-28-07: Human Rights Update -- Naming Names in Darfur and Ten Steps the USA Must Take to Redeem Itself
GS(3) Thunderbolt 1-29-07: Update on the Crisis in Darfur - What Must Be Done Isn't Getting Done
Hard Rain Journal 12-10-06: Human Rights Update -- Annan Speaks Out on Darfur, Carter Speaks Out on Palestine -- Have You? Has Your Representative?
GS(3) Thunderbolt 11-27-06: Update on Darfur -- UN Reports Crisis Worsens, HRW Urges AU to Get Tough with Khartoum
Richard Power is the founder of GS(3) Intelligence and Words of Power. His work focuses on the inter-related issues of security, sustainability and spirit, and how to overcome the challenges of terrorism, cyber crime, global warming, health emergencies, natural disasters, etc. You can reach him via e-mail: richardpower@wordsofpower.net. For more information, go to www.wordsofpower.net
International Crisis Group, Center for American Progress, Enough, UN, China, Olympics, Sudan, Darfur, Mia Farrow, Sudan Divestment, Humanitarian Crisis, Refugees, Human Rights, Genocide
