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Entering the 21st century, the world is reaching a point where human rights and liberties become universally valued. Through globalization and technology, the world is dwindling. Thomas Friedman says modern globalization is, “shrinking the world from a size small to a size tiny and flattening the playing field at the same time.”1 For the first time in history, the world is joining together to promote peace through international organizations.

Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, says through international organizations the world has the opportunity to eradicate poverty, sickness, and ignorance.2 Nonetheless, there are still places where basic human rights are ignored. It is important that humanitarian issues retain utmost importance on the international agenda. If society is to continue in a positive direction each individual must understand the significance of human life, whether it be a neighbor or someone half way around the world.

Genocide Again: Darfur

After World War II, states around the world stepped forward condemning the Holocaust. “Never Again” became the common term for foreign policy and agenda setting as it relates to genocide.3 However, genocide has continued throughout the world with little or no involvement from outside states, as seen below. As this memo is being written, genocide is occurring in the Darfur region of Africa. Will the world turn its back and ignore Darfur, as it did in Rwanda, when a million people were killed over 100 days in 1994?4

In 2003, rebel groups in Darfur, a poor region in western Sudan, began attacking the Sudanese government. These rebel groups stated the national government was favoring Arabs and oppressing Africans. The claims stem from the government overlooking Darfur, while attending to development in the eastern portions of Sudan. Lack of government aid in the 1998 famine, which attributed to an estimated 95,000 deaths, can also be seen as an antagonist in Darfur. Following attacks by rebel groups, the government retaliated, enlisting help from the Janjaweed militia. The Janjaweed have pledged to cleanse the state of those who are not Arab. Since 2003, 450,000 people have been killed and over 2 million displaced.

The relatively new African Union has established a peacekeeping force of 7,000 soldiers to interfere in Sudan. However, with the Sudanese army backing the Janjaweed, AU forces are outnumbered and overpowered. The AU has continually requested aid from the United Nations, Europe, and the United States. Until recently, the Darfur issue has failed to make precedence on the international agenda. 6

Reasoning for Involvement

Most states are internationally passionate about human rights and security. However, the cost and responsibility of necessary action usually outweighs any immediate tangible benefits. This causes states to pass on the responsibility of action. After all, why is it one states responsibility to become involved in the internal affairs of another? After the Holocaust the United Nations adopted Resolution 260, “Prevention and Punishment on the Crime of Genocide.”7

The UN has a moral responsibility to uphold resolution 260, reacting to any genocide occurring in the world. The authors of Managing Global Issues, P.J. Simmons and Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, say when it comes to “negotiated agreements and strategies…the one doomed approach is complacency.”8 The United States, United Nations, and European Union hold the legitimacy and responsibility for action. If agreements such as the UN resolution on genocide become inanimate, the authority of international law will also. It is in the best interest of states to work together and develop treaties, international law, and agreements that are respected. International cooperation allows states the opportunity to develop and flourish thus boosting their economy. Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist on the United Nations Millennium Project, says, ” the most powerful mechanism for reducing extreme poverty is to encourage overall economic growth.”9

There are numerous positive and obvious reasons to act in Darfur. There are portions of the society that look promising for economic development. Sudan has petroleum and other various natural resource reserves. Notably, Sudan has been implementing International Monetary Fund macroeconomic reform suggestions.10 However, economic development cannot thrive in a violent society. If Sudan’s economy is given the opportunity to expand, the growth will likely spread to neighboring states.

Not only are there benefits to be gained from involvement in Darfur, but lack of involvement will produce unwanted consequences. Lack of international involvement in violent, underdeveloped states such as Sierra Leon and Afghanistan has resulted in the spread of international terrorism. Ultimately, ignoring violent regimes costs the US, UN, and EU more than just money.11 States are often hesitant to involve themselves in international conflict; however, they should evaluate the possible results for the given society, and their own. If unrest continues in Darfur, the nation will spiral further into economic destitution resulting in a cycle of violence that has the ability to breach Sudan’s borders.

Agenda Setting: What Does it Take?

The benefits and responsibility of states to intervene in the Darfur conflict are undeniable. Why has there been a lack of involvement in Darfur? The answer lies in the ability and desire of states, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, and individuals to put Darfur on the International agenda. The European Union, United States, and United Nations, who have the greatest ability to interfere, are hesitant to involve themselves in such a costly ordeal, particularly when each already has tremendous responsibilities in the international environment. Consistently, human rights issues achieve relative importance on the agenda through non-governmental organizations and individuals. These actors have far less opportunities and resources resulting in the need for public involvement.

Darfur, relatively unknown to most a few months ago, has come into public eye due to a few notable individuals and organizations. Organizations, such as Save Darfur Coalition, Genocide Watch Now, Amnesty International, the Echo Foundation, and Human Rights Watch, are involved in a tremendous effort to convey the importance of the conflict to the public. These organizations continue to raise awareness in the UN, EU, and US. The Save Darfur Coalition has organized a march in Washington, D.C., influenced the public to send over a million letters to US President George W. Bush, organized UN call-in days, and written numerous editorials in notable publications.12

There are also several individuals who have greatly contributed to the attention Darfur is receiving. Oscar winner George Clooney spoke at the Save Darfur rally in Washington D.C., and to the United Nations.13 The fame of George Clooney has brought a colossal amount of public attention to Darfur. However, there are also people with little previous influence who are wielding enormous influence on the public. College students Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey, and Laren Poole produced the significant documentary Invisible Children. Targeting college students, Invisible Children has inspired younger generations involvement.14

The grassroots movement for international contribution is influencing powerful actors. Almost immediately after the Save Darfur rally in Washington, President George W. Bush sent a top US diplomat to help negotiate a peace agreement in Sudan.15 Calls to the President and US Senators seem to have the US considering further involvement. Previously, the US has denied genocide in Darfur, but now the US is condemning it, and considering action.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced in 2004 that genocide was occurring in Darfur due to the Janjaweed militia and the government of Sudan.16 Media coverage and public outcry are spreading, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for international actors to ignore the conflict. Finally, action appears to be on the agenda. Last week the UN convened and Darfur appeared to be one of the most important issues discussed.17

The Stage is Set

Significant action and involvement in Sudan will hopefully occur. It is important to realize the enormous effort it took to get Darfur on the international agenda. No state or inter-governmental organization examined the atrocities in Darfur until organizations and individuals rallied the public. No individual or organization can take sole recognition for getting Darfur on the agenda.

The achievement was a collective effort of numerous organizations and individuals. Similar to the action of getting Darfur on the international agenda, the benefits of action will not flow to a certain state or group either. Involvement in Darfur will benefit innumerable people and outweigh any costs, time, and effort imposed by the involved.

Endnotes

18 Thomas L. Friedman, “It’s a Flat World, After All,” New York Times, April 3, 2005.

2 Kofi A. Annan, “Strategies for World Peace: The View of the UN Secretary-General,” The Futurist (May/June 2002): 18-21.

3 Hans Kellner, “‘Never Again’ Is Now,” History and Theory, (May 1994): 127-144.

4 Allison Desforges, Leave None to Tell the Story, (Human Rights Watch, March 1999), http://www.grandslacs.net/doc/1317.pdf

5 Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, “Mass Crimes Against Humanity and Genocides: a List of Atrocities Since World War II,” Religious Tolerance, http://www.religioustolerance.org/genocide4.htm.

6 “Darfur Conflict,” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfur_conflict.

7 Human Rights Watch, “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” United Nations, http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html.

8 P.J. Simmons and Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, Managing Global Issues (Washington, D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2001), 690.

9 Jeffrey D. Sachs, “Can Extreme Poverty Be Eliminated?,” Scientific American, September 2005, 56, 58-61, 64-65.

10 CIA, “Sudan,” The World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/su.html.

11 Sebastian Mallaby, “The Reluctant Imperialist: Terrorism, Failed States and the Case for American Empire,” Foreign Affairs, March/April 2002.

12 “Organizational Members,” Save Darfur, http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/organizational_members.

13 “George Clooney Speaks About Crisis in Darfur,” ABC News, April 20, 2006, http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/story?id=1907005.

14 “The Team,” Invisible Children, http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMission/theTeam/.

15 “Bush sends his top Africa diplomat to Sudan,” Reuters Foundation, August 24, 2006, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N24456429.htm.

16 “Powell calls Sudan killings genocide,” CNN.com, September 9, 2004, http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/09/09/sudan.powell/.

17 “Secretary General warns of impending catastrophe in Darfur,” UN News Centre, September 2006,

http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=88&Body=Sudan&Body1.