U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS FAILS TO JOIN SECURITY COUNCIL DELEGATION TO SUDAN/DARFUR

“We are deeply disappointed that Ambassador Bolton failed to join this mission. His presence would have sent a clear signal that the United States remains fully committed to addressing the Darfur crisis.” – Fatema Abdul Rasul is a Peace and Security Program Coordinator at Citizens for Global Solutions.  

Citizens for Global Solutions was disappointed to learn that neither Ambassador Bolton nor any other high-level U.S. representative joined the U.N. Security Council mission to Sudan. The delegation arrived in Sudan today to hold meetings with Sudan’s top government officials in Khartoum, a senior U.N. envoy and representatives of non-governmental aid organizations.  In addition, the delegates are slated to visit Darfur and Sudanese refugees in Chad to explore ways of providing assistance.  

The Security Council delegation, led by British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, includes ambassadors and deputy permanent representatives from Argentina, the Republic of Congo, Ghana (confirmation pending), Greece, Peru, Qatar, Slovakia, Tanzania, France, China, Denmark, Japan and Russia. The United States is represented by Ambassador Jackie Wolcott Sanders, the Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs for the U.S. mission to the United Nations.  

The absence of Ambassador Bolton or another high-level U.S representative is a missed opportunity for the Bush Administration to demonstrate its commitment to ending the crisis in Darfur, assess facts on the ground and constructively engage with other Security Council members.   

When the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed last month, President Bush stated, “America will not turn away from this tragedy. We will call genocide by its rightful name, and we will stand up for the innocent until the peace of Darfur is secured.”  

Unfortunately, the President’s words have not materialized in visible, concrete action. Although the presence of Ambassador Sanders is noteworthy, a visit by Ambassador Bolton would have sent a clear message to Sudan about U.S. commitment to resolving the crisis in Darfur.

+ DARFUR RESOURCE CENTER


Updated June 07, 2006