15 September 2007
Gordon Brown has issued a statement on the situation in Darfur where he promised to work "tirelessly" to help find a solution to the crisis.
Read the statement
On this Global Day for Darfur, it is right that the world focuses on the appalling suffering of the people of Darfur. The situation in Darfur is still totally unacceptable. 200,000 people have been killed. More than 2 million people have been forced from their homes and 4 million are dependent on aid. In the last year alone 250,000 more people have been displaced and fighting continues to severely affect the humanitarian effort.
I want to give the people of Darfur a commitment: the world will not abandon you. My government will work tirelessly to help find a solution to the crisis so you can rebuild your lives and give hope to your children.
We now have a chance to make progress with the unanimous passing of UNSC Resolution 1769, the start of the deployment of the largest peacekeeping force in the world and peace talks between all sides starting in Libya on 27 October.
But we should not be complacent. UNSC 1769 is only a first step. The next few weeks will be critical. We need make progress on five fronts:
- Speeding up the deployment of the UN-African Union peacekeeping force and before it fully deploys ensuring the current African Union force it is fully funded. And when the peacekeeping force is deployed in the field, it must use its robust mandate to protect civilians and police a ceasefire.
- Persuading all parties to take part in the peace talks and commit to making real progress.
- As the talks start ensuring all parties agree an immediate cessation of hostilities so the talks can succeed and humanitarian aid can be delivered to those in need.
- Starting to prepare now for recovery and reconstruction. As security improves and people return home we should help them rebuild their lives. After peace we should be prepared to invest in development to address some of the underlying causes of the conflict.
- Addressing the wider issues in Sudan and in the region by deploying quickly the EU force in Chad to protect refugees and continuing to support the implementation of the North South peace agreement.
But let me be clear that if any party blocks progress on these issues we shall not hesitate to move to further sanctions and other tough measures.
I want to pay tribute today to the strength and determination of the people of Darfur who have suffered so long. Their determination for peace inspires us all. And I want to thank the hundreds of humanitarian workers who continue to deliver aid and support to the people of Darfur in atrocious conditions, and the millions of campaigners throughout the world who have kept Darfur on the world’s agenda.
The tragic situation in Darfur is one of the greatest challenges that the international community faces. But I believe that working together we can and will improve the lives of the people of Darfur. And we will continue working until their suffering is brought to an end.
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