Top 10 Things To Do for Darfur Short of U.S. Military Intervention Posted by Suzanne Nossel

Kevin asks whether we ought to be prepared to send in armed troops to stop genocide. My answer is yes, provided we think we can get the job done and there isn’t an equivalent or better alternative to get the killing stopped. Given the weaknesses of the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed, I assume the operation would ordinarily be eminently doable.

But one of the worst things about our single-handed Iraq invasion is that for the first time in recent memory a legitimate question can be raised about whether the U.S. is over-extended to the point where we cannot assume new military obligations. As a political matter, Iraq has also made it tough to contemplate mounting another challenging military intervention. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it, but it does suggest that we won’t.  Progressives need to look beyond the a false dichotomy of either proposing a military intervention that is a political non-starter, or keeping a low profile on the Darfur tragedy out of an abashed sense that we don't know how to fully solve it.

If we right away did everything possible short of sending combat troops, we’d save a lot of lives, and make an eventual U.S. military role more feasible (and maybe even less necessary). I am no expert on Darfur, but those that are suggest that these are some places to start:

1. Put the heat on NATO to buttress the AU – The US, UN, EU and NATO have been passing the hot potato when it comes to taking action in Sudan. NATO has its limitations, but its better positioned than any other organization to become the focal point for partnering with the AU to try to make that mission effective. The U.S. should take the lead in pushing the alliance to prove its relevance by getting involved. NATO should take the lead in negotiating terms with the AU, instead of waiting until broader help is asked for. This month’s G-8 meeting in Scotland would be a good opportunity to make the case (though other G-8 members may turn the tables wanting support for their anti-poverty plans in Africa).

2. Put NATO troops on the ground – It will be impossible to turn around Darfur without putting substantial numbers of competent and equipped troops on the ground quickly. That’s an impossibility for the AU, so partnering effectively with them means sending in a portion of the 17,000 troops NATO supposedly has at the ready. All else under discussion – airlift, training, advisers – are half-measures. But in doing this, we need to realize that a NATO "bridge" until the AU is ready to take over may wind up lasting a long while.

3. Enforce a no-fly zone – The need for a no-fly zone to stop air raids on civilians has been discussed for upwards of a year.It was contained in the Darfur Accountability Act, which the Administration opposed.

4. Making it clear that preventing genocide trumps intelligence cooperation – The Sudanese government must love the fact that the U.S. is being reported to have toned down its outcry on Darfur so as not to interfere with Khartoum’s help in the fight against terrorism.The Administration has never disavowed this, and needs to if its other efforts to end the genocide are to be taken seriously and attract support.

5. Impose sanctions and an arms embargo – These are also parts of the moribund Darfur Accountability Act. Particularly if they targeted core sectors like the oil industry, sanctions would demonstrate that the U.S. means business, and would raise the cost of the Sudanese government’s indifference. In addition to full implementation of bilateral sanctions, the U.S. should push the UN Security Council to press ahead with its stalled sanctions effort. (Sudan’s defeat in today’s World Cup qualifier made me think sports sanctions should be considered too – they worked in South Africa).

6. Fully fund the aid effort – Mounting numbers of displacees mean that the need for aid in Sudan is ballooning. The World Food Programme (one of the best UN agencies) is calling for additional funds. The U.S., along with others, should swiftly provide the resources needed.

7. Improve protection of civilians in Darfur – By expanding a beefed up AU mission with an explicit mandate to protect Darfur’s 2 million displaces rather than just "monitor" their mistreatment, the killings can at least be slowed.But if the AU can’t get enough police on the ground to make a protection mandate a reality, NATO should provide some of its own.

8. Name a Special Envoy – Bush should appoint Zoellick, Rice or another high-profile individual as Special Envoy for Darfur, making clear that its putting skin in the game of trying to achieve a political resolution. The envoy’s job will include rallying and shaming the international community into action, mediating between rival factions, and making sure plans get implemented.

9. Stop praising Khartoum – By all accounts the Sudanese seem to be responsive to U.S. pressure.  Yet despite fngering it as an accomplice in genocide, the Administration has at the same time in numerous remarks praised the Sudanese government as "working hard for a political solution" for Darfur.  With pressure like this, its no wonder the Sudanese feel like they can afford to take it easy in responding to U.S. outrage.

10. Expedite the UN deployment in Southern Sudan - Getting the approved but delayed UN peacekeeping mission for Southern Sudan deployed would help stabilize the country and signal Khartoum that the international community is serious about its commitments in the region.

Comments

[rosignol]

1. Put the heat on NATO to buttress the AU

NATO wasn't even capable of handling the mess in Yugoslavia without massive American involvement. Darfur is even more difficult logistically, and most of the US's logistic capacity is committed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

NATO is the wrong tool for this one.

2. Put NATO troops on the ground –

That won't happen. Tony Blair might be willing to risk casualties to help africans, but I doubt any other European leaders are. Furthermore, the AU doesn't want outside forces- especially those of former colonial powers- intervening in Africa.

3. Enforce a no-fly zone – The need for a no-fly zone to stop air raids on civilians has been discussed for upwards of a year.It was contained in the Darfur Accountability Act, which the Administration opposed.

...because it would be the US and British enforcing it, and we don't have the logistics to do it. In Iraq, we had airbases in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, two governments with no love for Saddam and plenty of reason to cooperate. In Sudan, we've got nothing.

4. Making it clear that preventing genocide trumps intelligence cooperation –

Does it?

5. Impose sanctions and an arms embargo –

...which would be vetoed by China, and all the arms embargo would accomplish is to make it harder for the people being victimized to arm themselves.

6. Fully fund the aid effort –

What aid effort?

7. Improve protection of civilians in Darfur –

That is properly the responsibility of the Sudanese government. That the Sudanese government is supporting the janjaweed should tell you that there is a very important step that needs to happen before any of the rest will be effective.

8. Name a Special Envoy –

No one with enough name recognition to matter wants to be associated with a doomed effort.

9. Stop praising Khartoum – By all accounts the Sudanese seem to be responsive to U.S. pressure.

...what accounts would those be? The ones where the President calls what is happening in Darfur 'genocide', and the Sudanese government ignores it?

10. Expedite the UN deployment in Southern Sudan - Getting the approved but delayed UN peacekeeping mission for Southern Sudan deployed would help stabilize the country and signal Khartoum that the international community is serious about its commitments in the region.

The international community *isn't* serious about it. This is because most other governments have more pressing interest than the plight of millions of African refugees.

I am not saying this is a good thing. I am saying that's how it is.

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