PRESIDENT BUSH NAMES SPECIAL ENVOY FOR DARFUR

On September 19, 2006, President Bush named former U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator, Andrew Natsios, as his Presidential Special Envoy for Darfur. The appointment of a special envoy was called for by Congress and Darfur advocacy groups to exert more U.S. pressure on the Sudanese government to stop attacks on the Darfuri population.

As special envoy, Natsios brings with him considerable experience with USAID, including a history of clashing with the Sudanese government over humanitarian aid. He visited the Darfur region with then Secretary of State Colin Powell in July 2004, shortly before Powell called the atrocities in Darfur "genocide." Natsios also spent 5 years as vice president of World Vision from 1993-1998, a faith-based relief and aid agency that has provided considerable assistance to the people of Darfur since the beginning of the genocide in 2003.

Natsios' appointment as envoy is a positive step taken by Bush to show his Administration's resolve to end the violence in Darfur. Many are skeptical of Natsios' ability to overcome political obstacles and put genuine pressure on the Sudanese government to end the violence in Darfur. But Natsios' appointment ensures that the United States is utilizing its diplomatic resources to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1706 and help bring peace to the Sudan. In addition to pressuring the Sudanese to allow for the deployment of UN peacekeepers, Natsios will work for additional U.S. funding for humanitarian aid and support for security measures, as well as the enforcement of a no-fly zone in Darfur.

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Updated September 28, 2006