08/14/2006

Refugees International President Kenneth Bacon has just returned from Darfur where he found that violence has increased and the ability for humanitarian agencies to assist people has decreased since the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed on May 5. Tonight on the Newshour with Jim Lehrer, he will discuss with Jeffrey Brown the steps that must be taken to support the nearly 2 million displaced people and end the conflict.

Violence and attacks continue in Darfur, with an estimated 25,000 people displaced in North Darfur alone in the last three weeks. Much of the violence seems to be perpetrated by the Sudan Liberation Army faction led by Minni Minawi, the only one of three rebel leaders to sign the Darfur Peace Agreement. Minawi’s forces are now fighting to increase power over a population that does not support them, and to gain territory controlled by other rebel groups. This fighting has included brutal tactics against civilians including the beating and raping of women and the targeted killing of young men. Leaders from within Minawi’s own tribe have also separated from him, leading to intra-Zaghawa fighting as well. In addition, the situation is further muddied with reports that the Government has provided logistical support to some of Minawi’s attacks in North Darfur.

Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are struggling to reach populations to provide them with aid. The escalating violence has left more aid workers dead over the past two weeks than during all the previous years of conflict. Funding cuts for humanitarian assistance have led to reductions in food and other assistance for internally displaced people and limited agencies’ abilities to expand programs to assist the newly displaced.

Refugees International continues to call for the United States and the international community to pressure Minni Minawi and all warring parties to stop the brutal attacks on civilians and allow humanitarian agencies to access the latest areas of attack. The United States and the international community must also redouble efforts to reach out to all rebel groups and Darfur civil society groups, particularly women leaders and women’s groups, to further discussions on how best to secure peace in Darfur. Lastly, serious efforts must be made to urge the Government of Sudan to accept a large UN force with a strong mandate to protect civilians to replace the AU force at the end of the year. In the meantime, donors must continue supporting the AU force, especially since it has been tasked with much of the responsibility to implement the DPA.

Watch the interview with Kenneth Bacon at www.pbs.org/newshour.

Go to Refugees International's Crisis Report devoted to the conflict in Darfur.