Global Days for Darfur

The situation in Darfur continues to be dire. And confusing--as optimistic headlines are quickly followed by contradictory ones. There still has been no effective protection for either the population or aid workers. While the US is bogged down with many thousands of troops in the fruitless quagmire of Iraq, it's been said that as few as 2500 US troops in Sudan could make all the difference.

Half a million people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence in Darfur. A UN report warns that an entire generation of children is at risk. The Bush government has given the latest in a series of warnings to the government of Sudan, which is responsible for enabling the violence in the Darfur region, but the US continues to delay doing anything, even in terms of economic pressure.

April 23 to 30 are the Global Days for Darfur--some 332 events in 246 U.S. cities are planned so far. (Check here to see what's happening in your neighborhood.)

A form of protest that proved effective in changing the future of South Africa is being applied to this genocidal crisis: divestment. Eight states in the U.S. (California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon and Vermont)are beginning that process by withdrawing state pension funds from any companies doing business with Sudan. Colorado just became the ninth. Dozens of US universities have also divested.

Another form of economic pressure is withdrawing businesses. Rolls-Royce is the latest international company to leave Sudan in protest. (Known here for its classic cars, the company is the second largest manufacturer of aircraft in the world, and the largest British based industry to leave Sudan.)

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that a possible alliance between Arab and non-Arab rebels against the Sudanese government could change the nature of the conflict.