On Wednesday, July 30, Team Darfur achieved an exciting benchmark towards our work on the Olympic Truce for Darfur! A group of bipartisan US Senators introduced a resolution calling for a cessation of hostilities and renewed efforts toward peace in Darfur, as well as in neighboring Chad and The Central African Republic.
The Senators believe that the Olympic tradition provides an opportunity for China and the International Community to press for an end to the conflicts in Sudan. Team Darfur is excited that the following Senators introduced this crucial resolution: Russ Feingold (D-WI) Norm Coleman (R-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), John Kerry (D-MA), Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Tim Johnson (D-SD). We sincerely thank them for their support and activities towards ending the horrific genocide in Darfur.
Here are what some of the Senators had to say about the Olympic Truce Resolution:
Senator Feingold: "With the world watching, we must take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Olympic Games to recommit ourselves to ending the conflict in Darfur and the wider region."
Senator Whitehouse: "As China works to clear the air in Beijing, it must also use its time in the spotlight to push for an end to violence in Darfur and Central Africa."
Senator Cardin: "For the people caught in the midst of strife or war, our hope is that this Olympic Truce can lead to constructive dialogue and a longer lasting peace."
Senator Kerry: We should leverage the global cooperation and unity of the Olympic Games to push the international community to demand an end to the suffering in Darfur and the wider African region."
Team Darfur is optimistic about the affect of this progress. "This Resolution is an important step towards achieving peace in Darfur," said Joey Cheek. "The Olympics are a time when athletes come together in peace and solidarity, and the Olympic Truce period is a time when the international community can come together in peace and solidarity. With the U.S. behind the Olympic Truce, we hope that more countries will join in the efforts to give the people of Darfur a chance at lasting peace." The resolution specifically encourages the new joint African Union-United Nations mediator's efforts to revive a comprehensive peace plan, while urging that the U.N.-A.U. Mission in Darfur and the U.N. Mission in Sudan be fully equipped and deployed.
Read the Senators' full press release .
