Two former senior US officials and a sitting congressman called Monday for the US to lead military strikes against Sudan if Khartoum persists in its refusal to allow UN peacekeepers into its Darfur region.
The United States should push now for a new UN resolution giving Sudan an ultimatum to accept the unconditional deployment of a UN force within a week or face military consequences, they said.
If that fails, the United States, “preferably with NATO involvement and African political support”, should strike Sudanese airfields, aircraft and other military assets and blockade Port Sudan, through which Sudan’s oil exports flow, they said.
“Then UN troops would deploy — by force, if necessary, with US and NATO backing,” they said.
I don’t think they understand the consequences involved if such a thing happens. Like Daniel Davies said (h/t: Sudan Watch)
As I’ve said repeatedly with respect to Darfur, it’s the height of irresponsibility to demand “action” without saying what that action might be, or to provide some kind of sensible assessment of its likely consequences.
The idea of striking the mentioned military targets doesn’t sound too bad as a way of putting pressure but I think the consequences could be pretty bad. Darfur mainly needs a political solution and an agreement that has all parties involved onboard. Diplomacy, incentives and political pressure can bring about a favorable result. Please don’t tell me they won’t work. They worked in brokering a peace deal ending the long bloody civil war between the north and south and I believe they will work for Darfur too if given some time. I do understand that time itself is the issue here and this is why I so desperately want to see the AU force strengthened. There’s no point engaging in talk and diplomacy if innocent people in Darfur don’t have protection. Please remember that a peacekeeping force won’t work if there’s no peace to keep in the first place. Hence, simultaneous efforts for a political solution are vital. The AU troops shall stay until the end of the year. That means we have 3 months only. A lof of work needs to be done.
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Drima. Glad you picked up on that report, I didn’t have the stomach to post it - or this on The beatitudes of Rick Santorum - Orlando Sentinel : Opinion - excerpt:
**[U.S. senator from Pennsylvania] Santorum has been a leader in trying to stop genocide in Sudan, which he views as a front in the war against ideological Islam — and has sponsored every major piece of legislation created toward that end.**
My guess is, these reports put into words what many American activists are thinking. I believe Americans are among the most good hearted folk on the planet. They can’t help the way they think. I liken it to computing: if you put garbage in, you get garbage out.
Can you explain that last paragraph, Ingrid? About not helping the way American activists think and the GI-GO crack? Are we having delusions of Empire and British superiority again over there in England? That’s a cheap shot and you should be ashamed of writing something like that to this blog or any other, especially with all of the visitors and supporters Sudan Watch has in the United States.
On the other hand, Senator Rick Santorum (aren’t there a couple of i’s missing in this guy’s name) could be over-reacting here. Has he sat down yet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to discuss his “war plans for the Sudan”? When he shows up at the Pentagon, call the guys in the white coats, immediately.
Drima, can you explain what “incentives” you think may work?
Hmmmm. The questions we should be asking ourselves (in this and any other conflict):
1) Who are the parties involved in the conflict?
2) What do they want?
Drima, could you answer that? I think it would prove to be of great help for clarifying this mess… and for providing the possible solutions.
BRE, Sorry you are having problems reading. Going by what I’ve read of American activists and their calls for military intervention in Darfur, many appear to think the same way as the people quoted in the news reports referred to in this entry. I see nothing wrong with that observation.
I haven’t noticed any problems in my ability to read and comprehend lately, Ingrid. I think you understand what I mean in my comment above.
I did miss the link to the Washington Post op-ed at the top of Drima’s post here yesterday, and after reading the article I must say that I can agree with their position. Surely you wouldn’t criticize former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Dr. Susan Rice as a garbage-mouth, would you? Former National Security Advisor Anthony Lake and Dr. Rice both have a lot of experience with the Khartoum regime during the Clinton presidency, AND Dr. Susan E. Rice is a senior fellow in Foreign Policy Studies at the renowned Brookings Institution. It was President Clinton that fired cruise missiles into Khartoum in search of Osama bin Laden, wasn’t it?
Here is a useful link to more on Dr. Susan E. Rice for Drima’s readers:
“We saved Europeans, why not Africans?”
http://www.brookings.edu/scholars/srice.htm
The dialogue surrounding Daniel Davies post over at the Crooked Timber blog is interesting and very academic but I don’t think Davies is going to be attempting to save any lives in Darfur or elsewhere anytime soon. After all, Davies is a London stockbroker and his job is to help his clients make money, not save lives down in Africa.
The article about Senator Richard Santorum’s political fortunes in the upcoming U.S. Congressional elections did not say anything about him urging an invasion of the Sudan, so where is the relevance to this post?
“Drima, can you explain what “incentives” you think may work?”
Craig, by incentives I mean the lifting of sanctions, removing Sudan’s name from the list of terrorism harboring countries and/or helping improve Sudan’s NCP’s international diplomatic standing.
Raccoon,
“1) Who are the parties involved in the conflict?
See this
2) What do they want?”
Their fair share of power and wealth. When I say “their” I don’t mean Darfurians as one lump but rather as each tribe seperately.
BRE, you seem to think military intervention isn’t a big deal. I would
rather see this solved in other ways.
Drima, I think that we would all love to see the atrocities against the people in Darfur come to a halt and the problems between the GoS and the residents of Darfur (incl. the rebels and militias, etc.) solved in a peaceful manner. But let’s be honest and frank here, if it is left up to your president Omar al-Bashir and the present ruling regime in Khartoum NO outside help or intervention into the crisis will be allowed. None, basta!
Military action against any country, large or small, is always a big deal and very costly in lives and resources. What is happening presently across Darfur, what many have termed to be a genocide or ethnic cleansing or mass murder (take you pick) is also a big deal. Especially when the world’s governments and much of the global public at large chooses to stand on the sidelines and do nothing or to simply turn away and pretend it is not happening. This is of course what the “international community” did (looking away or “I didn’t know”) re: the 1.9 million plus lives lost in wars and ethnic cleansing that took place in the Sudan over the past two decades.
Darfur is simply the crisis where millions of people across the globe have had enough of the Khartoum regime, where Bashir and his backers have gone too far for far too many people. And these people are standing up and calling for action to stop it. Peaceful means or otherwise, but stop it now.
You are a university student in Malaysia. Take a look at what university students all across America are doing on behalf of Darfur today and then ask yourself “why isn’t this type of action taking place on my campus?”. Muslim students, organizations, and communities are supporting the STAND DarfurFast campaign and other initiatives, why aren’t Muslims in Malaysia and other parts of the world doing something similar? Why are they so silent about Darfur?
STAND DarfurFast campaign:
http://www.timetoprotect.org/darfurfast
Genocide Intervention Network (DarfurFast press release)
http://www.genocideintervention.net/about/press/releases/
BRE, listen up. Let me respectfully state three points…
First of all, I’m getting the feeling that you’re a little on the offensive “blowing off some steam in your face” side with how you’re approaching me regarding this issue. I hope I’m wrong.
Believe me, I’m very aware of all the problems Sudan faced and is still facing thanks to Butcher Bashir. After all I’m a Sudanese and my childhood in Sudan wasn’t a very happy one. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you stories or do I? You don’t need to lecture me on that.
Secondly, you seem so sure military intervention is going to make things a lot better. I’m really not appreciating the idea of sending UN troops into Darfur without consent. UN troops coming in will mean war and war dear BRE, will make the situation in Darfur nastier. Clearly you’re not bothered about al-Qaeda or Sudanese Islamist organizations and that’s a huge mistake. You underestimate the damage they can cause in Darfur and against UN/Western targets within Khartoum. I think this is the main point for disagreement causing “friction” between you and me. After things start to destabalize (and they will) who will take control and rule? Let me guess, the UN will help Sudan hold elections is it?
I’ve got a question for you: Are you in favor of the Iraq war? If yes then let me congratulate you on the “wonderfull success” it has achieved so far. However and let me be clear… On air bombing military targets, I won’t argue. After all they’re >>military
Crap, my point three got lost…
Let me restate it…
Thirdly, I’m aware of the great campaigns in American universities and I appreciate them… Attitudes elsewhere are different either because people don’t care or because they’re unaware… I hate those people’s attitudes but I won’t apologize for it… Things are different where I am… I can’t organize rallies and stuff like that like how they do in US… Rules, regulations, people won’t bother (unless it’s an anti-Israel or anti-USA rally) etc…
This humble blog and small collected donations is how I contribute.
My comment (about the DarfurFast campaign) are not directed at you personally and I am certainly not interested in blowing off steam, especially with someone like yourself who is working so hard to educate readers about the point-of-view from a Sudanese national. At the moment I am composing a blog post that references this exact blog post and praises your blog in general, so maybe you should wait until I publish to judge where I am coming from.
In regards to favoring military action in the Sudan, no, no one “favors” military action against the GoS. The objective should be that proper security and humanitarian aid gets to the people that need it most throughout your country, Darfur included. Let us remember that UN forces (UNMIS) are already in the southern part of Sudan, and that mission desperately needs to be extended to the West and Northwest. Extending the number and strengthening the madate of the AU forces (AMIS) is not going to bring the much needed security to the people of Darfur as has been repeatedly stated by key AU commanders on the ground and by other “experts” following the effectiveness of the AU mission to Sudan.
And no, Jihadis and al-Qaeda and General Omar Hassan al-Bashir doesn’t frighten me a bit. What frightens me is when people of the world choose not to stand up to their threats and violence against innocent, helpless civilians.
Again, I find your writing and efforts interesting and helpful, and apologize for any insult that I may have made to you personally. Your blog, for me at least, is very much appreciated.
BRE, thanx for your kind words and I apologize for misunderstanding your statements. Such misunderstandings are quite common in “cyberspace”.
I’ve just read your post entitled ” New York: As U.S. pressure on Sudan grows top UN officials stab Darfur in the back”. I don’t think it’s stab in the back. Jan Pronk has the best understanding of the situation and knows that UN troops coming in now will cause more bad than good.
I know very well that you have the best of intentions at heart and I respect your opinions even when I disagree with them.
Peace
PS: Just curious. You’re an African-America man working in Germany right?
Right, I’m an African-American man who has invaded Germany. I think that I have them on the ropes finally after all these years. Victory is mine!
No need to apologize. My latest post on Darfur and the Sudanese Thinker has been published. Have a good night over there in Malaysia. Finish your education at university as it is very, very important (for you and your country).
Interesting dialoque on this thread. I read BRE post and followed the link here. While I understand your (Drima’s) feelings on the use of ‘force’, I’m curious to know when you think political/diplomatic solutions have failed. How long has the talks in Nigerian been going on? months, years?
I hate to state this, a good use of force backed with some good doses of diplomacy always work, anyhere and anytime, and will work in Sudan. The question is how do you find a balance.
I honestly feel it is comical waiting on Khartoum to allow UN peacekeeping force in the country, and I’m really ashamed of the AU for failing to prevail on Omar Hassan al-Bashir. And thirdly, the African media dropped the ball on the Darfur case, less that 40 % of Africans on the continent know what is the story of Darfur is. Shameful. (http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brafricara/71.php?nid=&id=&pnt=71&lb=braf)
If those whose backyard is fast turning into graveyard for the Darfur-kill have no clue of what is going on, I won’t expect folks in Malaysia to be any better.
imnakoya, thanx for your thoughts and for dropping by.
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