Darfur Weekly News Update

New News Items:

From Save Darfur Coalition:

Thank you for making your voice heard. In conjunction with organizations and congregations across North America, our 100 Hours of Conscience - Voices to End the Violence campaign resulted in many, many thousands of letters written to President Bush and other public officials expressing the will of the people that we put an end to the genocide in Darfur.

The next few days should see a new U.N. Security Council resolution, and we hope it will be strong enough to protect innocent civilians in Darfur.

Additionally, legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to drive stronger U.S. action to end the genocide and hold the perpetrators accountable. We'll keep you posted on its progress and opportunities for you to make your opinion known.

Save Darfur Coalition

News Summary

U.N.'s Darfur Death Estimate Soars

March 14, 2005

At least 180,000 people may have died in Sudan's Darfur region over the past 18 months, according to the United Nations' top emergency relief official. Jan Egeland said the figure refers to victims of illness and malnutrition and excludes those who have been killed by violence. The UN previously gave an estimate of 70,000 non-conflict deaths. "It could be just as well more than 200,000 [over 18 months] but I think 10,000 a month... is a reasonable figure," Mr. Egeland told AFP news agency.

Read the BBC News article: http://urlcut.com/1atnk

UN Agencies Withdraw Under Threats in Sudan

March 16, 2005

The United Nations has withdrawn all international staff in part of western Sudan to the state capital after Janjaweed militias said they would target foreigners and U.N. convoys in the area, the top U.N. envoy in Sudan said on Wednesday. Jan Pronk also told Reuters in an interview, "The Janjaweed militia have said that they will now target all foreigners and all U.N. humanitarian convoys," he said.

Read the Reuters article: http://urlcut.com/1atnl

Brian Steidle: In Darfur, My Camera Was Not Nearly Enough

March 20, 2005

Brian Steidle, a former Marine, arrived in Sudan's Darfur region in September 2004 as one of three U.S. military observers for the African Union, armed only with a pen, pad and camera. In this powerful article, he describes the atrocities he witnessed and calls for a more effective international response.

Read the article in the Washington Post: http://urlcut.com/1atnj

Sudan Leader: World Must Pressure Darfur Rebels

March 22, 2005

In a two-hour interview with The Washington Post, Sudan's first vice president said foreign nations must put more political pressure on Sudanese rebel groups to lay down their guns before lasting peace can be achieved in the war-shattered western region of Darfur.

Read the article in the Washington Post: http://urlcut.com/1atnm

Nigeria Urges African Darfur Crimes Court

March 17, 2005

Nigeria has proposed an African-run tribunal to hear cases of alleged war crimes in Sudan's Darfur region. The proposal was put forward in an apparent attempt to end deadlock in the United Nations Security Council over a new resolution on Sudan.

Read the BBC News article: http://urlcut.com/1atnn

State Pension Funds Urged to Pressure Sudan

March 17, 2005

California's giant retirement funds for public employees and teachers would be urged to avoid investing in global companies doing business with Sudan under a resolution that cleared a key state Assembly committee Wednesday. The New Jersey Assembly has already approved such a resolution, while similar legislation has been introduced in Arizona, Texas and Illinois. The moves are part of a campaign to pressure public pension funds to divest Sudan holdings.

Read the article in the LA Times: http://urlcut.com/1atno

African Union to Double Troops Protecting Darfur Civilians

March 22, 2005

The African Union is drafting plans to double the number of peacekeeping troops in Sudan's Darfur region to 6,000, an official said yesterday, responding to United Nations' calls for more security in the region.

Read the article in The Scotsman: http://urlcut.com/1atnp

Relief Alliance Urges Bush to Appoint Envoy to Sudan

March 12, 2005

InterAction, an alliance of relief and development nongovernmental organizations working overseas, urged U.S. President George W. Bush to appoint a special envoy to Sudan to lead U.S. efforts to help resolve issues leading to violence in the Darfur region. A senior administration official, on condition of anonymity, said no decision has been made to appoint a new envoy for Sudan to replace Danforth. He noted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other officials placed a high emphasis on Sudan.

Read the Reuters article: http://urlcut.com/1atnq