Coalition Calls for Action to Address Darfur Genocide Crisis

A coalition of Canadian MPs and a prominent human rights organization has issued a critical call for action regarding the ongoing genocide in Darfur, warning that the situation could worsen. During a press conference in Ottawa on October 3, 2023, Irwin Cotler, a former Liberal MP and current human rights advocate, emphasized the urgent need for Canada and its allies to intervene in the conflict-ridden region of western Sudan.

Cotler, who is a key member of the Save Darfur coalition founded 22 years ago, described the recurrence of genocide in Darfur as both “tragic and painful.” He stated that it is imperative for the international community to pursue peace, establish safe corridors for citizens fleeing violence, and extend humanitarian assistance to those affected. The coalition announced the re-establishment of an all-party parliamentary group dedicated to addressing the crisis.

At the press conference, Cotler highlighted the findings of a recent independent inquiry conducted by the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR). He pointed out that the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Darfur was foreseeable, stating, “It’s not as if the compelling horrors were not known. It’s that they were not acted upon.”

Mutasim Ali, a legal advisor at the Wallenberg Centre, warned that the violence in Darfur places approximately 7.5 million people at risk. This region, which has experienced turmoil for over two decades, is embroiled in conflicts driven by political power struggles and ethnic rivalries.

The RWCHR’s report, titled A War on Children, A World Complicit, focuses on the dire situation of child victims amid escalating violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The inquiry reveals that what began as a power struggle over two years ago has now escalated into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

The report outlines grave atrocities, including mass starvation, forced displacement, targeted violence against vulnerable populations, sexual violence, and systemic murder. It notes substantial evidence that the RSF and its allied militias are committing acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing against non-Arab groups in the region, particularly around the city of El Fasher.

Moreover, the report implicates several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, and Chad, for their roles in supporting or enabling these atrocities. It also alleges that nations such as China and Russia have supplied arms to both sides of the conflict, further exacerbating the violence.

Children have suffered disproportionately in this struggle for power, with humanitarian organizations like UNICEF facing significant challenges in providing essential aid to the local population. Currently, around 15 million children require life-saving assistance, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention.

In light of global events, Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, expressed concern that conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine are diverting attention away from the dire situation in Darfur. The coalition’s call to action aims to refocus the international community’s efforts on this humanitarian crisis and encourage a collaborative response to alleviate the suffering of millions in the region.