Africa Action: Sample Letter to the Editor

Campaign to Stop Genocide in Darfur

Campaign to End HIV/AIDS in Africa

Campaign to Cancel Africa's Debt

Africa Action Student Network

Religious Action Network

Sample Letter to the Editor

December 12, 2006

Dear Editor:

Despite the news that the African Union will remain in Darfur, the world holds its breath as the Sudanese government escalates its military offensive in Darfur. Hope for Darfur rests on the implementation of the United Nations (UN) resolution authorizing a UN peacekeeping force with a mandate to protect civilians. Yet, the Sudanese government continues to veto the international responsibility to protect, denying consent for the deployment of peacekeepers.

The linchpin to break the deadlock on Darfur continues to be the United States, which has special leverage with all stakeholders. While President Bush has been on record in support of a UN intervention, the U.S. has failed to do the diplomatic heavy lifting required. Rhetoric won�t change the reality in Darfur, or stop what experts anticipate being an imminent massacre. We have the power to protect the people of Darfur. We must use it now!