Originally published on the CGS blog on September 14, 2007.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon just returned from a week in Darfur and the surrounding region, and reported his findings and beliefs in today’s Washington Post . According to Ban:
I went to listen to the candid views of its people — Sudanese officials, villagers displaced by fighting, humanitarian aid workers, the leaders of neighboring countries. I came away with a clear understanding. There can be no single solution to this crisis. Darfur is a case study in complexity. If peace is to come, it must take into account all the elements that gave rise to the conflict.
No argument there. Listening. Check. Understanding. Check. No single solution. Check. Compexity. Check. Comprehensive solution. Check. This is a good start. He goes on to state:
Solutions cannot be piecemeal. The crisis grew from many causes. We must deal with all of them — security, politics, resources, water, and humanitarian and development issues.
Dealing with complexity makes our work more challenging and difficult. Yet it is the only path to a lasting solution.
Hmm…now that’s curious…no mention of international law, justice or the International Criminal Court here or anywhere in his commentary.? He does find space to applaud the Sudanese government’s “unqualified commitment to support the peacekeeping mission as well as comprehensive peace talks.” Not surprisingly, he fails to mention President Omar al-Bashir’s naming Ahmed Haroun to investigate the region’s human rights abuses even thought he is wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity. That appointment is sure to assuage the pain and suffering of Darfur’s many victims, right? Maybe lead to a just peace?
Unfortunately, Ban’s apparent quest for peace without justice is shared by a growing number of heads of state and global leaders.
Please repeat after me: There will be no lasting peace without justice. Full stop.
