07/23/2004

International response to the crisis in Darfur has been shockingly slow and ineffective. Despite widespread awareness of the extent of the human rights violations in Darfur, the government of Sudan and its allies on the UN Security Council have successfully blocked the imposition of punitive international sanctions on officials responsible for masterminding the violent campaign in Darfur. The African Union has stepped in to provide peacekeeping troops but is hampered by lack of strong logistical support and an unclear mandate.