Crisis in Sudan: Ending the Violence
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 Efforts by the United States, the U.N., the
African Union and other nations to pressure all parties to the conflict
to end the violence, provide security for the people of Darfur,
particularly the internally displaced, ensure safe and sustained
delivery of humanitarian aid and hold accountable those accused of
committing atrocities have not been successful. In late April, the
African Union resolved to increase its force to over 7,000 troops, with
an expanded mandate to protect civilians, by the end of September 2005.
In contrast, the African Union now has approximately 2,000 troops in
Darfur with a limited mandate only to monitor the cease-fire. U.N.
Secretary General Kofi Annan, however, called for at least 12,000
troops. What is needed more generally is the international will to put
greater pressure on the government in Khartoum to stop the slaughter.
The Church and Sudan
 Sudan remains a priority for the Catholic Church in the United States, with ongoing advocacy and active solidarity with the people of Sudan. We continue to work closely with the Catholic Church in Sudan so that the benefits of peace and stability might be extended to all Sudanese. The USCCB has repeatedly visited northern and southern Sudan and Darfur and has been very active in playing a major role in the U.S. policy debate. Catholic Relief Services (CRS), one of the largest non-governmental organizations operating in Sudan, has extended its services to Darfur where it is providing desperately needed food and non-food items.
What Can We Do?
Eleven years after the genocide in Rwanda, we can ensure that our promises of "Never again" do not ring hollow by taking action to help stop the slaughter of innocent civilians in Darfur. Letters should be written to Congress, the Administration, and the U.N. Security Council urging the following actions be taken immediately:
- The U.S. must apply increased and sustained pressure on the government in
Khartoum to disarm the Janjaweed and other armed militias; cease all attacks
against innocent civilians; provide protection for unimpeded humanitarian access
throughout Darfur; and bring to justice those perpetrating crimes against humanity;
- The U.S. should provide the necessary financial and logistic
support to the African Union so that it might more effectively monitor the ceasefire,
provide protection to innocent civilians and assist international humanitarian relief
organizations in their efforts to respond to the crisis; and
- The President should name a Special Envoy for Sudan who is
responsible for coordinating the efforts of the United States, together with the African Union,
the United Nations, and other international partners to end the violence and help promote a
negotiated settlement.
By Fr. Mike Perry and contributing writers.
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