Press Statement for Immediate Release
Media Contact
Gbenga Ogundare ([email protected] [2])
Adetokunbo Mumuni ([email protected] [3])

DARFUR: IT IS TIME FOR THE AFRICAN UNION TO ACT
Groups release 5-Point Programme for Ending Violence in Darfur on The 4th Global Darfur Day of Action

LAGOS, 17 SEPTEMBER, 2007: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Independent Advocacy Project (IAP) have called on the African Union and all African governments, including Nigeria and South Africa to act immediately to demand that the Sudanese government, armed groups and Janjawid militia in Darfur and eastern Chad to halt attacks against civilians and humanitarian agencies.

These urgent demands are contained in the 5-Point Programme for Ending Violence in Darfur which the groups released in Lagos today to mark the Save Darfur Day. SERAP and IAP are two of several groups across the globe undertaking activities to draw attention to the plight of the people of Darfur.

In particular, SERAP and IAP invite the Nigerian and South African governments to use their influence and authority within the AU to ensure that other African governments and their international partners implement this Programme. The recommendations contained in the 5-Point Programme are interrelated, and they are all important in the restoration of peace and security in Darfur, and in establishing a culture of human rights in the country as a whole.

Specifically, the groups want:
The AU and African governments to publicly condemn violence: ‘All AU member states must speak out consistently and strongly against continuing violence in Darfur, highlighting its gravity and impact on neighbouring countries such as Chad and Central African Republic, and on peace and security in Africa. Nigeria and South Africa should provide the leadership in this regard.

The AU and African governments should ask for full protection of civilians in Darfur: ‘The AU and African governments should demand immediate end to continuing suffering and attacks against civilian population in Darfur. They must publicly ask the government of Sudan to immediately and fully implement UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1769.

The AU and African governments must demand immediate deployment of the AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur: ‘The AU and African governments must support a prompt and sufficient deployment of the hybrid force in Darfur by generating the necessary military, police and civilian personnel, as well as essential financial and material resources. They should work expeditiously with the UN to reinforce AMIS in order to ensure full protection for civilian population in Darfur.

The AU and African governments should publicly demand full accountability and prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed in Darfur: ‘The AU and African governments should publicly demand and declare their support for full accountability and prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed in Darfur. They should immediately and publicly call for prompt, impartial, effective and full investigation and prosecution of those suspected to be responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. They should insist on full and appropriate reparation for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

The AU and African governments must support and invest in the establishment of rule of law and a culture of human rights in the whole of Sudan:
’The AU and African governments should work very closely with the UN and other partners to establish lasting peace, rule of law and a culture of human rights in Sudan. They should immediately establish an AU Special Commission on Sudan to draw up a strategy and plan of action for restoring lasting peace and establishing respect for human rights in Sudan. This Commission should work in consultation with the government of Sudan and must involve all segments of civil society in Sudan in its work.

‘Darfur remains a place of violence and terrifying insecurity. Ready availability of weapons has trapped civilian population in Darfur in a web of armed attacks that grows ever more complex’, say IAP’s Gbenga Ogundare and SERAP’s Tokunbo Mumuni in the joint statement.

Note for Editors
‘Paramilitary forces armed by the Sudanese government grow ever stronger while more and more armed opposition groups emerge. Fighting is often between groups – including ethnic groups – formerly on the same side. One thing has not changed: it is still civilians who pay the price. The UN estimates that 4.2 million people in Darfur rely on humanitarian aid. They include 2.2 million gathered in camps for the displaced. People are still fleeing. Between January and August 2007, according to UN figures, almost a quarter of a million people fled, some for the third or fourth time.’