Saturday, October 2, marks 100 days before Sudan will decide whether or not to divide itself in two. Preparations are woefully behind and civilians are at real risk of escalating violence and a potential return to war. To draw attention to the urgency of the timetable, and to ensure that the Obama administration does all it can to ensure peace before, during and after the vote, Sudan Now, a campaign led by a group of prominent anti-genocide and human rights advocacy organizations, has launched a grassroots initiative encouraging Sudan activists around the country to take action over the next 100 days.
The first action is to sign an online petition to President Obama. Participating activists will also be asked to take actions via Twitter, Facebook, phone and email as well as offline actions throughout the 100 day period.
Participants will call upon administration officials including President Obama, Ambassador Rice, Secretary Clinton, National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and others to take specific steps to help achieve peace, protection, justice and accountability in Sudan.
Specifically, the initiative will press for the appointment of a high-level diplomat as envoy to Darfur, unimpeded access for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations and robust independent human rights monitoring throughout Sudan, the imposition of consequences for negative behavior, and support for justice and accountability including the ICC arrest warrants, including the arrest of Ahmed Harun, an architect of the genocide in Darfur and currently governor of Southern Kordofan.
"Sudan activists have been encouraged in recent weeks by the Obama administration's increased attention to Sudan," states Gabriel Stauring, Director of Stop Genocide Now. "However conditions on the ground in Sudan are still unacceptable and the referenda bring an increased risk of danger to civilians. Through the 100 days of action we hope that activists throughout the U.S. will help spur the administration to take further concrete steps toward peace including appointing a ambassador level envoy for Darfur and working with our international partners to bring Ahmed Harun to the Hague."