Obama Can Make a Difference in Darfur

By John Prendergast | April 12, 2009

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The stories are beginning to trickle in from displaced-persons camps in Darfur: increasing hunger, epidemics and — the quietest killer — a shortage of water in the Sahara.

Last month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. His response was to expel international aid agencies that provide a lifeline to Darfurians, and with that, "never again" is being made into "once again" through a continuation of genocide by other means. But Mr. Bashir’s deadly gambit provides an opportunity.

The ICC judges were split on whether to include charges of genocide, but they left the dossier open so additional evidence of intent could be added. Mr. Bashir’s expulsion order should provide evidence of intent, because the aid organizations were keeping specific groups of Darfurians alive. Thousands will die even if a compromise is implemented that allows some agencies to return but leaves the causes of the crisis unaddressed.

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