U.S. Must Lead Security Council to Act, as UN Confirms Deteriorating Situation in Darfur 

January 5, 2006 
allAfrica.com
Original Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200601050506.html

PRESS RELEASE
As senior United Nations (UN) officials confirm a marked deterioration in the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, Africa Action urges the U.S. to use the opportunity of its presidency of the UN Security Council next month to introduce a new resolution on Darfur. A new U.S. resolution on Darfur must respond to the urgent need for an expanded security presence on the ground by re-hatting the existing African Union operation as a UN mission with a robust mandate to protect civilians and humanitarian operations, and by authorizing a UN peacekeeping force to be deployed to the region as soon as possible. 
Ann-Louise Colgan, Director of Policy Analysis & Communications at Africa Action, said today, Next month, as President of the Security Council, the U.S. will have a unique opportunity to stop the genocide in Darfur by initiating UN action on this crisis. As civilians face increasing violence and deprivation in Darfur, and as humanitarian operations encounter constant threats, a robust UN protection force is urgently needed in Darfur. February is the make or break month for U.S. action to stop the first genocide of the 21st century. 
Ahead of next month's U.S. presidency of the Security Council, public activism on the crisis in Darfur is increasing across the country. The White House has already received more than 10,000 postcards from people of conscience, urging the President to take action to stop the genocide. This week, Darfur-related vigils are taking place each day in Washington, DC to increase awareness of the ongoing crisis. Elsewhere around the country, a growing number of vigils, exhibits and religious services are highlighting the urgent need for civilian protection in Darfur. 
Marie Clarke Brill, Director of Public Education & Mobilization at Africa Action, said today, The Bush Administration faces escalating public pressure for action to stop the genocide in Darfur. Ahead of next month's critical moment for U.S. action on Darfur, a series of major events and actions across the country will spotlight this crisis and demand U.S. leadership at the UN in February. Concerned citizens will judge President Bush's true commitment to a culture of life by his Administration's response to the genocide in Darfur, which continues to unfold on his watch. 
On February 1st, the first day of the U.S. presidency of the UN Security Council, Africa Action will hold a major mobilization in Washington, DC to call on the Bush Administration to introduce a new resolution at the UN to re-hat the AU mission and to immediately authorize a UN intervention to protect the people of Darfur.