Some Progress Made in Sudan, but Darfur Remains in Crisis
10 March 2006
State's Zoellick cites increase in U.S. aid over pledged amount
By Charles W. Corey
Washington File Staff Writer
Washington -- Although progress has been achieved on Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), "huge challenges" remain and results are "mixed," while conditions in Darfur remain "in crisis," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick told reporters March 9.
Speaking at a press availability at the World Bank's Sudan Consortium Conference in Paris, Zoellick called for quicker and more transparent implementation of the CPA and a greater partnership between the northern and southern parts of the country.
Zoellick reminded journalists on the first day of the two-day event that in 2005 he visited Khartoum, Sudan, and Darfur four times. "I visited the South, both Juba and Rumbek. And my conclusion is that Darfur remains in crisis."
Zoellick also told reporters that the United States already has met its pledge of $1.7 billion for Sudan for 2005-2006.
"With the support of our Congress," he announced, the United States plans "to exceed that pledge by about half a billion dollars, for a total of about $2.2 billion over 2005 and 2006, with additional monies coming in the third year."
Much of that assistance, he explained, is still being devoted to basic needs and humanitarian support in the South and in Darfur -- food, supplies and helping displaced people return.
BROAD CONSENSUS ON URGENCY OF DARFUR
Recapping his talks on Sudan the previous day in Brussels, Belgium, Zoellick said he and European Union High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana held talks with African Union President Alpha Oumar Konare, Sudanese Second Vice President Ali Osman Taha and a representative of U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Three main points were discussed at that session, he said. "First, we all agreed on the need to strengthen the African Union forces." Additionally, he said, both the United States and the European Union agreed that progress is needed in the Abuja, Nigeria, peace negotiations to try to achieve a reconciliation in Darfur.
Zoellick also emphasized the need to move a U.N. peacekeeping force into Darfur with the African Union force as its core. He said the United States and the EU are recommending that the force have an African commander.
Time is of the essence in the Darfur crisis, Zoellick warned. "We don't have time to waste. There are heartbreaking conditions … and they risk worsening. These are problems that have been exacerbated by the tensions on the Chad border."
PRAISE FOR AFRICAN UNION EFFORTS
Zoellick praised the African Union for doing a "tremendous job" at peacekeeping. "They came in to enforce a cease-fire and that cease-fire has broken down" because of rebel activities, banditry and the marauding Jingaweit militias, he said. "It's a much more violent and dangerous situation."
The U.N. operation in West Darfur, he warned, is at the "highest level of insecurity," which means that "if the situation declined further, you couldn't be sure you would have U.N. and NGO [nongovernmental organization] workers there to provide the basic food and supplies."
As a result, he said, "we have to be acting now, both to strengthen the African Union forces and also bring together the planning so we can try to start moving expeditiously on a U.N. peacekeeping mission ….
"Millions of people are at risk here. We need to keep them at the forefront in our mind when we attend conferences. We need to provide security and food for these people and also security for the NGOs that are dealing with extremely difficult conditions to try to meet the needs of people." Security is needed against rape and violence and against attacks from the Jingaweit, rebels and other groups, he said.
U.S. ROLE IN AFRICA MULTIFACETED
Asked about the U.S. role in Africa, Zoellick said President Bush has led a multifaceted Africa policy focused on conflict resolution, HIV/AIDS and malaria and expanding economic development and trade.
Zoellick said U.S. policies -- like the African Growth and Opportunity Act -- work best when they are carried out in partnership with others. The United States is getting good multilateral cooperation, he added, and thus can play a "catalytic" role for progress.
While challenges remain, the deputy secretary said, most encouraging is a strong African leadership working to resolve problems in concert with a host of African regional and subregional organizations.
"We want to try to work to strengthen African capabilities while providing the support through activities like the one that I'm doing here," he said.
A transcript of Zoellick’s briefing is available on the State Department’s Web site.
For additional information on U.S. policy, see Darfur Humanitarian Emergency.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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