Deadline on Darfur

Sudan | The UN placates Khartoum, leaving Sudanese hungry and homeless | Priya Abraham

The United Nations gave Sudan's government 30 days to stop attacks on Darfur's civilians, but as the deadline loomed both had stalled on their promises. Days after the July 30 Security Council resolution passed, UN special representative Jan Pronk placated the Khartoum regime by making elastic the 30-day notice. In the meantime, aid and rights groups reported that the government-backed Janjaweed militia was still targeting displaced Darfuris.

The Sudanese government, however, did just enough to stave off international anger—and potential trade sanctions. Officials promised the UN that they would not coerce Darfuris into returning home. A week before the deadline they also participated in talks with Darfur's two main rebel groups, mediated by the African Union. But negotiators still refused to allow African Union peacekeepers into Sudan's western state to keep security and disarm both Janjaweed and rebels. That led to a virtual stalemate.