Darfur and the African Union

Dear Editor: I have been following the insightful and comprehensive discussion on the issue of genocide that has been taking place in Pambazuka. I am now more informed of the causes and the challenges facing those seeking to solutions to the crisis in the Western Sudan region of Darfur. I have also closely followed the actions being taken by the African Union and have been very disappointed to note that so far its intervention has been chaotic. I have no doubt that if the AU is to continue being the lead organization seeking the solution to the Darfur crisis the results would be catastrophic for the Darfurans. I have come to this conclusion after hearing the statement of Mr. Sam Ibok, the AU Director of Peace and Security Department, distancing the AU from US Secretary of State Collin Powell statement that genocide is taking place in Darfur. Mr. Ibok went further and not only challenged the US to take action, as per requirement of international law, but also confirmed that the AU would not declare what is happening in Darfur as genocide until it has carried out its own investigations! I think we have now reached a point where we need to determine whether the AU is becoming an obstacle to the solution of the Darfur crisis. Its erratic actions and statements so far point to only one thing: its incapability to solving the problem in Darfur. I hope voices are raised to challenge AU's incompetence and calls are made for more forceful international intervention.