Failing Darfur

The UN Security Council resolution on Darfur is a pathetically half-hearted response to the world's worst humanitarian crisis. A commission to investigate whether the killings constitute genocide, and a nebulous threat of sanctions if killings continue, will hardly convince the government of Sudan that the UN means business. It is now six weeks since the UN gave Sudan 30 days to disarm the pro-government militias. Since then, there has been no evidence of any progress. The UN's failure to muster unanimous support for action in such a desperate situation calls into question its ability to act effectively in Africa or, indeed, at all.

The UN Security Council resolution on Darfur is a pathetically half-hearted response to the world's worst humanitarian crisis. A commission to investigate whether the killings constitute genocide, and a nebulous threat of sanctions if killings continue, will hardly convince the government of Sudan that the UN means business. It is now six weeks since the UN gave Sudan 30 days to disarm the pro-government militias. Since then, there has been no evidence of any progress. The UN's failure to muster unanimous support for action in such a desperate situation calls into question its ability to act effectively in Africa or, indeed, at all.