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Hundreds of thousands of people have died in Darfur in recent years and there is no sign of an end to the violence. Security, human rights and humanitarian aid has steadily deteriorated since the Darfur Peace Accord (DPA) was signed on 5 May 2006 in Abuja. A number of groups that did not sign the peace agreement have regrouped as the National Redemption Front and have launched a number of attacks since last June. Last year, in the space of five weeks there were more than 200 instances of sexual assault against women around the Kalma Camp, South Dafur alone.

The International Crisis Group (amongst others) has been producing and submitting reports urging that the United Nations (U.N.) and other world governments use strong economic and legal strategies against government officials responsible for blocking the U.N. force. These actions range from targeted sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes for Nation Congress Party Leaders that have been identified as committing atrocities in Darfur, as well as sanctions on the petroleum sector in Sudan.

It is also being suggested that some consideration be given to new military measures to change the regime’s calculation of the costs of non-cooperation and to use the threat of indictments through the International Criminal Court. The group recommends that the U.S., U.N., African Union (A.U.) and European Union (E.U.), should act together to the greatest extent possible as necessary in smaller constellations and even unilaterally. (Source: Media Release Nairobi / Brussels 10/12/06)

On Jan 6, 2007 BBC News reported that the United Nations will be sending Jan Eliasson (Special Envoy To Darfur) in a new attempt to cease the conflict between the Sudanese government and rebel groups using political diplomatic strategies. Both the U.N. and the A.U. are not considering a military solution to the crisis. The Sudanese government however is still arguing over the number of peacekeeping troups to be deployed in Darfur. There are currently 7,000 troops in the region which the U.N. plans to increase to at least 20,000.

It will remain to be seen what the U.N. and A.U. will do if these measures are blocked once again by the Sudanese Government and the violence continues to claim thousands of innocent lives.

Anyone wishing to learn more can visit sites:-
www.crisisgroup.org
www.savedarfur.org