The mind-numbing violence in Sudan’s western region of Darfur has defied diplomats’ best efforts, but the international community must continue its work.
We were glad to see that outgoing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan used his final news conference to urge the world body to keep the humanitarian crisis in Sudan a top priority.
More than 200,000 civilians have been killed and more than a million have been displaced in fighting between rebels and government-sponsored militia. The violence has spilled into neighboring Chad.
In his remarks Tuesday, Annan cited the war in Iraq and the oil-for-food scandal as among the most difficult issues of his tenure. Among his proudest achievements, he said, were progress against HIV/AIDS and the global fight to reduce poverty.
Annan leaves office Dec. 31 after a decade as head of the United Nations to be succeeded by South Korean diplomat Ban Ki-Moon. Ban’s arrival brings a new sense of optimism. We urge him to take a strong stand with the government of Sudan to end the crisis in Darfur.
