Private reports indicate that President Obama and his senior advisors are expected to meet this week regarding the future of the U.S. Sudan policy. The situation in Sudan is urgent. President Obama and his administration should act now to provide the leadership necessary to prevent a return to war – a war that could be the deadliest the world will face on his watch.
Please take one or more of these actions:
By Facebook – Let’s flood the White House Page! Post on the White House Facebook page:
Mr. President: Millions of lives – and your legacy – are on the line. Your personal leadership is needed now to prevent a return to war in Sudan. With less than six months until a referendum could split Africa’s largest country in two, and with the security situation in the country deteriorating, your administration must respond with a policy that is coherent, strategic, and unified. With the lives of millions potentially hanging in the balance, now is the time for your personal leadership on this issue.
By Twitter – Tweet one or both of these messages:
Pls RT. In #Sudan millions of lives and your legacy are at stake, @BarackObama. Lead the push for peace in Sudan now. @presssec
Pls RT: @BarackObama’s legacy is on the line. Will the president personally work to ensure peace & justice in #Sudan now? @presssec
Background:
It is vital that the Obama administration recognize the danger of continuing to muddle along in Sudan. With less than six months to the referendum, the administration has yet to respond with a policy that is coherent, strategic, and unified. The clock is ticking for the people of Sudan—and if the (likely) split of Africa’s largest state in two is handled poorly, it will adversely affect regional security in the whole of East Africa, as well as U.S. interests for years to come. It will also come with a terrible human cost.
While the United States has dithered, Sudan’s President Bashir has not been content to simply hide out and continue to hold his own people hostage. Rather, he has upped the ante—by pushing Darfur increasingly close to the brink, by conducting an election that violated international standards, by cracking down on human rights and the media, by embarking on a series of high profile visits abroad, and by continuing to flout the will of the international community and that of the people of Sudan.
The time for outsourcing policymaking and the articulation of the U.S. policy to low level staff and special advisors has passed. The situation in Sudan demands urgent high-level attention and leadership. And President Obama will ultimately be held accountable for whether he provided that leadership—or not.
More Opportunities for Action:
By Twitter – Tweet this message:
Pls RT @statedept-the time for outsourcing #SUDAN policy has passed. Sudan requires Sec. Clinton’s urgent attention & leadership. @pjcrowley
By Facebook – Post on the State Department’s Facebook page:
Secretary Clinton: Millions of lives – and your legacy – are on the line. Your personal leadership is needed now to prevent a return to war in Sudan. With less than six months until a referendum could split Africa’s largest country in two, and with the security situation in the country deteriorating, your administration must respond with a policy that is coherent, strategic, and unified. With the lives of millions potentially hanging in the balance, now is the time for your personal leadership on this issue.