The world continues to watch the horror unfold in Darfur two yearsafter the Bush Administration declared that the atrocities committed in the region amounted to genocide.  On the anniversary of that declaration, hundreds of activists congregated with Africa Action in Lafayette Park on Saturday, September 9th to demand immediate deployment of a UN peacekeeping force.  The rally coincided with the release of Africa Action's new Darfur report, "A Tale of Two Genocides: The Failed U.S. Response to Rwanda and Darfur."

While the U.S. has made historic investments in the fight against global AIDS,  the critical shortage of health care workers and weak health systems remain key bottlenecks to scaling up access to AIDS treatment in resource poor settings. Sustained commitment and creative action are necessary to develop and support the health workforce needed to secure the right to health and progress in the fight against global AIDS.

Humanitarian organization International Rescue Committee reported this week that more than 200 women have been sexually assaulted in the last five weeks alone around Darfur’s largest displaced camp, Kalma. This alarming trend is yet another sign of the region’s plummeting security situation.

The Sudanese Catholic Bishops released a statement on July 25 calling for a more rigorous implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as more concerted efforts for peace throughout Sudan. The statement was openly critical of the widespread corruption within Sudan and the “minimal efforts being exerted by the Government to enforce law and order.