New US Policy on Sudan

Last week the United States Department of State partially unveiled its newly formulated policy on Sudan. The policy is composed of a combination of what have been referred to as "sticks and carrots," most of which remain classified. Sanctions against Sudan will remain in place. The US Government will still not deal directly with ICC-indicted President Omar al Bashir. The word "genocide" continues to be used to describe what has taken place in Darfur, but is now referred to in the past tense. Unspecified incentives will be offered for cooperating and advancing peace, undisclosed penalties will be imposed for the failure to do so.

The new US policy has three stragetic objectives:

1. A definitive end to conflict, gross human rights abuses and genocide in Darfur.
2. Implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south that results in a peaceful transition a post-referendum Sudan in 2011: either a unified nation or two separate states.
3. Ensure that Sudan does not serve as a safe haven for terrorists.

The policy will reportedly be implemented on a "verify, then trust" basis, with the goal of engaging rather than isolating the national government in Khartoum.

In his official statment on the policy, US President Barak Obama said:

"For years, the people of Sudan have faced enormous and unacceptable hardship. The genocide in Darfur has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and left millions more displaced. Conflict in the region has wrought more suffering, posing dangers beyond Sudan’s borders and blocking the potential of this important part of Africa. Sudan is now poised to fall further into chaos if swift action is not taken.
Our conscience and our interests in peace and security call upon the United States and the international community to act with a sense of urgency and purpose... Going forward, all of our efforts must be measured by the lives that are led by the people of Sudan. After so much suffering, they deserve a future that allows them to live with greater dignity, security, and opportunity."