Sinkford Letter to Secretary Rice Against al-Bashir Assuming African Union Presidency
January 26, 2007
Condoleezza RiceU.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
VIA FASCMILE: (202) 647-2283
Dear Secretary Rice:
I write to express the Unitarian Universalist Association's deep alarm at the prospect of Sudan assuming the presidency of the African Union (AU) during the organization's summit in Addis Ababa on January 29-30.
In 2006, diplomatic efforts helped to ensure that Sudan's candidacy was rejected. Concerns remain that Khartoum will be allowed to take on the leadership of the African Union for 2007. If the presidency of the AU is transferred to a genocidal regime, the credibility and impartiality of the organization will come into serious question and the efforts of the AU force in Darfur will be undermined. In addition, the role of the AU as mediator in peace negotiations will subverted as there will be a clear conflict of interest.
I urge you to use all diplomatic channels to convince African leaders to seek an acceptable candidate for the African Union presidency and maintain the legitimacy of the African Union's mission in Sudan.
As you know all too well, the situation in Darfur has deteriorated drastically in the past year. The Sudanese government has escalated its brutal campaign, bombing villages in rebel-held areas and re-arming and mobilizing the Janjaweed to kill civilians. Because of the violence, humanitarian access is at its lowest point since 2004. The lives of four million people hang in the balance.
Sudan is resisting efforts to deploy an effective peacekeeping force to Darfur and continues to hinder the operations of aid agencies. Despite agreeing "in principle" to a hybrid AU-United Nations force, they have yet to consent to specific troop levels, a mandate or time table for deployment of such a force.
The election of Sudan as president of the AU would only make a resolution of the crisis more difficult, as the Sudanese government would continue to obstruct any efforts aimed at ending the genocide.
I trust you will do all you can to help avert such a disastrous scenario.
Sincerely,
Rev. William Sinkford
President of the Unitarian Universalist Association
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
