Sudan

October 27, 2009 -- Robert J. Cabelly, 61, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted in the District of Columbia in an eight-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to violate the Sudanese sanctions regulations and to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign power, four counts of violating the Sudanese sanctions regulations, as well as one count apiece of money laundering, passport fraud and making false statements.    » read more »

Senior Administration Officials

Washington, DC -- October 19, 2009 -- MR. CROWLEY: We’re now going to shift from on the record to on background, where we have anywhere from two to four experts who will try to help fill in some of the blanks. [Senior Administration Official], you want to come up, [Senior Administration Official], you want to come up? [Senior Administration Official], you’re going to stay?

Yeah, this is a background briefing attributable to Senior Administration Officials. So you just know who’s in the room, we have [Senior Administration Officials]. So [Senior Administration Officials], you want to come up and get started?

QUESTION: Shouldn’t the experts start by answering the question on money if they know? (Laughter.)    » read more »

Washington, DC -- October 19, 2009 -- SECRETARY CLINTON: Good morning. Good morning. Well, I’m very pleased to be joined today by our Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and the President’s Special Envoy to Sudan General Scott Gration.

And let me begin by saying that the Sudan policy we are outlining today is the result of an intensive review across the United States Government that included the three of us, but many others as well. It reflects the Administration’s seriousness, sense of urgency, and collective agreement about how best to address the complex challenges that have prevented resolution of the crisis in Darfur and full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.    » read more »

Washington, DC -- October 19, 2009 -- In the past, the United States’ approach to Sudan has been reactive rather than proactive and narrowly focused on emerging crises. The new strategy focuses on reinvigorating the international support that is critical to building peace and security in Sudan. The strategy is the first comprehensive U.S. policy on Sudan that recognizes the links between the Darfur crisis and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.    » read more »

Office of the Spokesman -- Washington, DC -- October 19, 2009 -- Sudan is at an important crossroads that can either lead to steady improvements in the lives of the Sudanese people or degenerate into even more violent conflict and state failure. Now is the time for the United States to act with a sense of urgency and purpose to protect civilians and work toward a comprehensive peace.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- (New York) - The Obama administration's new Sudan policy, announced this morning, represents a positive step toward improving human rights and securing justice in Sudan, Human Rights Watch said today. The policy aims to end conflict in Darfur and ensure implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

It recognizes the need to apply continued and increased pressure on Sudan to obtain progress on human rights and justice for atrocities committed in Darfur to ensure lasting peace in Sudan.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC –Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement in response to the Obama Administration’s announcement that the U.S. will seek to end “gross human rights abuses” in Darfur, ensure implementation of a peace deal that ended war between northern and southern Sudan, and ensure Sudan does not provide a safe haven for terrorists.

"I am encouraged by the announcement of President Obama’s new policy toward Sudan and that existing sanctions against Khartoum will remain in place. The implementation of this policy is a necessary step towards ensuring stability and peace in the region and for the people of Sudan.    » read more »

October 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, released this statement on the Obama administration’s comprehensive strategy for Sudan:

“We need a comprehensive, coordinated approach toward all of Sudan to end the genocide in Darfur while preventing a return to civil war between the North and South. The administration’s strategy, as presented today, is a good step in that direction. I am pleased that the administration is committed to using ‘all elements of influence’ to achieve these objectives and I look forward to working with them to do so.    » read more »

March 4, 2009 -- (The Hague) - Today's decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese president General Omar al-Bashir is a major step toward combating impunity associated with the horrific crimes in Darfur, said a coalition of 46 organizations from the Justice for Darfur campaign. President al-Bashir is wanted by the court for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Justice for Darfur called on the international community to press Sudanese authorities to comply with their obligations to execute the warrant. The government of Sudan has failed to bring to justice any of those responsible for crimes under international law in Darfur, and has so far refused to cooperate with the ICC and to surrender any of the suspects.    » read more »

4 March 2009 -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir. The warrant details charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed during the conflict in Darfur.

The arrest warrant is an unprecedented move in the history of a conflict that, since it started in 2003, has seen more than 300,000 killed, thousands raped, and millions forcibly displaced.

The decision, reached by the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC, was announced during a press conference held at the Court's seat in The Hague on Wednesday.

President al Bashir has been urged to surrender himself immediately to face trial.    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- Officials in Sudan say a joint north-south military force will begin deploying to the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei on Monday.

The commander of the new force, Valentino Tokmac, says the force will have equal numbers of troops from the Sudanese army and from the southern former rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army. He said the force will number more than 600 troops.

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and southern leader Salva Kiir agreed last week to replace northern and southern troops in the town with a new integrated unit.

The two also agreed to seek international arbitration to settle the dispute over Abyei and to give the United Nations free access to the area for the first time.    » read more »

23 May 2008 -- Amnesty International is gravely concerned by the Sudanese security forces’ crackdown following the incursion into Khartoum, by an armed group. The crackdown has been characterized by serious human rights violations including hundreds of arbitrary arrests, cases of ill-treatment, as well as extra-judicial executions. These violations have mostly been targeted at Darfuris.

An exhibition of weapons and military hardware captured during the Darfur rebel attack on Omdurman on May 10/11: The show took place in the grounds of the Khalifa's mosque in Omdurman. Photo by Andrew Heavens (CC)    » read more »

Region Needs Peacekeeping Forces, Helicopters to Help End the Genocide

May 22, 2008 -- Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) today sent a letter to President Bush urging him to take definitive action in Darfur. Senator Specter joined with 29 colleagues in the U.S. Senate in appealing to the President to “use all the power of the White House to ensure that (his) legacy includes definitive action in Darfur.”

Rebel vehicles in Sudan: Photo by Andrew Heavens (CC)    » read more »

Document shows that U.S. could also offer removal from state sponsors of terrorism list to Sudan in exchange for allowing some peacekeepers into Darfur region

April 21, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — Last week, the New York Times reported on a Bush administration document showing that it could offer normalized relations with the Sudanese regime and removal from the state sponsors of terrorism list if Khartoum allows Thai and Nepalese peacekeepers into the Darfur region.    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- April 18, 2008 -- "I am deeply concerned by reports that the Bush Administration is negotiating a normalization of relations with the Government of Sudan that would include removing it from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This would reportedly be in exchange for Khartoum's agreement to allow Thai and Nepalese troops to participate in the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force in Darfur.

Barack Obama speaks at Darfur Rally, April 2006: Photo by Toucanradio (CC)

This reckless and cynical initiative would reward a regime in Khartoum that has a record of failing to live up to its commitments.    » read more »