Daily Darfur: The Upper Hand on Hope

categories: Daily Darfur, Obama Administration

Published August 12, 2009 @ 05:22AM PT

Congressman Ed Royce of California is warning Darfur advocates that the "Obama Administration looks to be letting them down -- big time." After campaigning on a platform of aggressive action (not to be equated with military action) against Khartoum's many atrocities and abuses, Royce predicts that the forthcoming administration policy review will be a "big about-face."

The reason for this, according to a private sector intelligence analyst quoted atVoice of America, is that the policy review is weighing two competing priorities: Ending the conflict in Darfur, and maintaining Sudan's cooperation in the war on terror, for which Khartoum as been a "useful behind-the-scenes ally":

"Now there are other elements within the United States government that have had to cooperate with the Sudanese government since 9/11 in terms of the war on terror. And the Sudanese government has been a more background partner to help the United States gather intelligence on international jihadists fighting in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, and some of those jihadists that have come from Sudan and from the Horn of Africa region."

This has all the makings of one of those episodes of the West Wing where Bartlett's idealism crashes once he's confronted with the realities of office. The question is, then: Can Obama leverage the benefits Khartoum receives from its cooperation with counterterrorism efforts to push for meaningful conflict resolution, or will one of the world's most cruel and violent regimes gain the upper hand over Hope?

Quickies

The Guardian has an article countering claims that US sanctions against Sudan should not be lifted.

The New Century Foundation Sudan blog has a post from a Sudanese activist countering Khartoum's claims that the security situation in Darfur is stabilizing, and warning about other dire signs of impending disaster throughout the country.

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Michelle became involved in the anti-genocide cause at a young age, and has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns, ever since.