Please don't let up on the President

The hybrid United Nations / African Union force known as UNAMID is set to deploy on January 1st. The US and its allies pressured the UN to approve this new peacekeeping force, but are now failing to support it. Last week UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting 24 helicopters for UNAMID. Despite his plea, “no member state has come forward to provide these vital assets,” he told the press.US officials claim that the US helicopters are tied up in Iraq, Afghanistan and in training. This is unacceptable. If peacekeepers are to protect the Darfuri victims, they must be provided with adequate heavy weaponry to carry out their mission. Read more.

Additionally, President Bush continues to drag his feet in signing the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act (SADA). SADA is the next step in pulling US investment dollars out of Sudan. Read more.

Please take 15 minutes this week to call and write the president with two requests:

1. Lead the way in providing helicopters for UNAMID
2. Sign SADA into law