House and Senate petition Arab League Secretary General to act on Darfur

In early October, 154 House Representatives and all 100 U.S. Senators sent signed collective letters to His Excellency Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, calling on Moussa to utilize "all diplomatic means available" to pressure Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir on Darfur.

Led by Senators Biden (DE), Feinstein (CA), and Frist (TN), the October 10th Senate letter urges Moussa to use his leadership in the Arab world to stop military attacks in Darfur, call for the removal of Sudanese troops from the region, and pave the way for a UN peacekeeping force. In the October 5th House letter drafted by Representatives Smith (NJ-04) and Lantos (CA-12), House Representatives stress similar points, while also referencing Moussa's authority and capcity to deliver Arab League funds to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS).

Amnesty International initially called for a letter to Moussa from members of Congress in early October 2006. Although many Senators had signed on at the time, the letter sent on October 10, 2006 with full Senate support reveals strong consensus in Congress that diplomatic pressure from Sudan's allies is a key component to ending genocide in Darfur.

The Senate and House letters outline the escalating violence and dire humanitarian situation in Darfur. Noting the overflow of attacks into neighboring Chad, the letters mention the grave situation of refugees and internally displaced persons. The deteriorating situation in the region, despite the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1706 in August 2006 and the extension of the AMIS in late September 2006, is also noted. The House letter also looks forward to the reconstruction and reconciliation processes necessary after all parties engage in an inclusive peace process.

Both letters also stress the unique role that Arab and Muslim states can play in helping to bring an end to violence in Darfur. As regional neighbors of Sudan, Arab states should have a vested interest in solving the conflict in Darfur. As Arab allies of Sudan, Arab states are uniquely positioned to influence Khartoum's behavior.

Sudan recently rejected an Arab League offer of Muslim and Arab troops as peacekeepers in the region. Members of Congress also asked the Arab League to deliver on its support to AMIS, with the House letter asking for explicit clarification of an Arab League promise to fund AU forces.

+ READ SENATE LETTER TO ARAB LEAGUE
+ READ HOUSE LETTER TO ARAB LEAGUE

+ DARFUR RESOURCE CENTER