On February 17th, President Bush announced a proposal for greater international intervention in Darfur. He called for reinforcing the 7,000 African Union troops with an equal number of troops from the U.N. The Bush administration has concluded that peace talks alone will not be enough to solve this ongoing conflict between the Sudanese government and the rebel groups. President Bush is hoping to make up for the U.S.'s less-than-effective previous position concerning Darfur. Despite proclaiming the war as genocide over a year ago, the subsequent American efforts have produced minimal results in aiding the refugees.

The President's statement included a proposition to Congress for $500 million for aid to Darfur, as well as increased support from the UN. Though the US is the president of the UN Security Council this month, there are many difficult issues that will need to be worked out before UN approval can be achieved. The council's African members do not wish to discuss UN intervention, in accordance to the AU's conviction that an African problem must have an African solution. However it is easy to see that the AU does not have the resources necessary to deal with the crisis.

Hopefully, this recent speech by the American president signifies a shift in the U.S. policy to a more active role in aiding the people of Darfur. Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is grateful to President Bush for this initiative and urges him work as quickly as possible to secure protection for the people of Darfur, as they are in immediate danger. Damanga also commends Ambassador John Bolton of the United States, who is currently chairing the Security Council, for his excellent work in pressuring other Security Council members and Kofi Annan to act quickly to execute this mission to Darfur.