Debate: International military intervention in Darfur

Should the international community intervene militarily in Darfur?

Background and Context of Debate:

Genocide? Can the violence in Darfur be considered Genocide?

Yes

• Argument:The violence in Darfur could be considered Genocide

• Argument:NATO should intervene militarily in Darfur

No

• Argument:Military success in Darfur is doubtful
  • Sudan's air-force would be a formidable threat to any intervening force

• Foreign intervention in Sudan would violate Sudanese sovereignty - Any intervention would require the consent of the Sudanese government.

• Argument:There is not enough international political support for military intervention in Darfur

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Yes

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No

• Argument:The Darfur crisis does not constitute a threat to international peace and security

Organizations pro and con

Yes

• STAND - Student Anti-Genocide Coalition.
• Position: International Crisis Group on military intervention in Sudan
• US Committee for Refugees

No

International leaders on the pro and con sides of this debate

Yes

• Position:Kofi Annan on military intervention in Darfur U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said that military action may be needed in Sudan to halt "ethnic cleansing". Yet, he is accused of not living up to such assertions.[1]

• Position: Hilary Clinton advocated military action in Darfur

• Anthony Lake, former National Security Adviser to President Clinton, said in 2006, "It’s time to get tough with Sudan". [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/02/mil-070206-voa04.htm

No

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Yes

• Peter Beinart. Editor at large for the New Republic. "How to Save Darfur". Time. September 24, 2006
• Gareth Evans (BRUSSELS). Former Chair of co-chair of the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty (ICISS) “The world should be ready to intervene in Sudan”. International Herald Tribune. May 14, 2004 - "The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, has called it 'ethnic cleansing.' President George W. Bush has condemned the 'atrocities, which are displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.' Others are starting to use the word genocide. Whatever you want to call what is going on today in Darfur, in western Sudan, the time for forceful outside intervention is unmistakably approaching."
  • "The Responsibility to Protect"
• Eric Reeves. Professor at Smith College. "Humanitarian Intervention in Darfur: Powerful Voices Make the Inescapable Demand". May 14, 2004

No

• Joschka Fischer. Former German foreign minister and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005. "The EU must act in Darfur. Targeted sanctions would be a real step towards stopping the killing." April 19th, 2007 - Does not consider military action a good option.

References:

External links:

• "How to Save Darfur". Time. September 24, 2006
• "Bush under fire for delaying action on Darfur". The Raw Story. April 11, 2007
• "Pentagon: No US Military Action Planned for Darfur". Al Pessin. Global Security.org. February 6th, 2007