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U.S. GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT | American Views on Darfur Crisis

AMERICANS POLLED ON CRISIS IN DARFUR, SUDAN

July 20, 2004 -- The Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) working with Knowledge Networks recently published a poll on the American public’s stance on issues concerning the crisis in the Darfur, Sudan.

Since the conflict began, the U.N. has estimated over one and a half million Darfurians have been displaced from their homes with at least 30,000 people having been killed. If the situation in Sudan is not contained, the death toll could reach well over 300,000 and up to one million. In the meantime, the fighting between government forces and rebels has been ongoing creating a security concern which has kept humanitarian aid organizations out of the region.

Overall there is a lack of awareness among the American public about the volatile situation due to minimal media coverage; yet surprisingly, most of those polled support sending U.S. troops to Sudan (provided other nations contribute 75% of the forces necessary) to protect the civilians being raped and murder by the Sudanese Government supported militia - the Janjaweed. The support for intervention was incredibly high despite over 50% of those polled saying they have heard nothing at all about the situation in Darfur.

Currently there is debate among institutions on whether or not the violence in Sudan be labeled “genocide.” The legal implications of that term would bind UN member states to the Genocide Convention calling for immediate action in halting further hostility. The poll shows that if it were established that genocide was taking place, 69% of those polled favor the idea of U.S. intervention through the U.N. “to stop the genocide even if it requires military force.”

The numbers show clear support for a de-escalation of the situation. Principle Investigator of the project, Steven Kull hypothesizes that the high numbers in favor of intervention could be high due to the public’s regret in not acting to stop the genocide in Rwanda a decade ago.

+ READ PIPA POLLING DATA REPORT
+ READ MORE ABOUT THE CRISIS

Last Updated July 26, 2004

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