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TechnoratiPlans are currently underway to deploy a 26,000-strong hybrid A.U.-U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur to secure the region against attack from Arab militias known as janjaweed. The process has been painstakingly slow with delays caused by objections and protests from Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
For months, activists have participated in the Darfur-Olympic torch relay which had traveled around the world to sites of past genocides – including Rwanda, Cambodia and Armenia – before reaching the U.S. capital. In the United States, the campaign was held in some 60 cities including New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
The Washington rally was especially aimed at pressuring China – Sudan’s strongest business and political partner - to use its position to end the violence and humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Human rights activists argue that Beijing – the host of the 2008 Olympic Games – should stand up for peace and use its influence to bring peace to Darfur.
Celebrities and Olympic stars present at the Chinese embassy in Washington, where the relay concluded, included Hollywood actress Mia Farrow; U.S. Olympic Gold medalist (speed skater) Joe Cheek; “West Wing” actress Melissa Fitzgerald; and U.S. Olympic Athletes Nathaniel Mills (speed skater), Vince Poscente (skier), and Nikki Stone (skier.)
