International Inconsistency Lets Sudan off the Hook (Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen)

The U.S. and Europe have diverged in their response to the crisis. In an effort to hold the Sudanese regime accountable for the genocide in Darfur and deny critical resources to the Janjaweed and others aligned with government forces, the U.S. has adopted a policy of isolating and containing the Khartoum regime using economic and political sanctions. By contrast, Europe has chosen to engage Sudan while other nations, such as China, have put profit and economic interests over saving lives and, still others, refuse to become involved saying “this is a Darfurian problem.” This divergence has given Sudan important wiggle room to avoid responsibility.

The current regime only responds to real pressure. Multilateral targeted economic and political sanctions might have a more serious impact if enforced by the entire international community. Governments allied with Khartoum are the regime’s enablers and are complicit in a war on civilians and the immeasurable human suffering occurring in Darfur.

Responsible nations, particularly those areas that neighbor Sudan, including Egypt, need to take a more active role in helping to end the violence in Darfur; press for full implementation of the various peace agreements that were crafted and agreed to by numerous actors in the crisis to end the violence in Darfur and Southern Sudan; and support the efforts of the African Union and international aid workers so that the Sudanese people can rebuild a better future for themselves and their children.