The United Nations has said that Sudan's government and pro-government militias are still attacking Darfur people.
Refugees were also said to be coming under attack in the southern part of the region from the pro-government Janjaweed militia.
The lobby group Human Rights Watch has also accused Sudan of breaking pledges to control the militias and said that the international community had failed to prevent atrocities taking place.
More than one million people have fled their homes in 18 months of conflict.
Read a selection of your earlier comments.
This debate is now closed. Thank you for your e-mails. The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:
The UN can do nothing without the support and input of its members and the people of Darfur desperately need it too. Troops, money, personnel - they all come from member states. The UN is not a world government, it is a group of nations bound by treaty. Now, can member states stop pointing the finger at each other and just do something.
Katherine, London, UK
Same story over again. Everybody will sit back until hundreds of thousands die, then the UN or some other military will march in "triumphantly". It will be too late for the victims! March in now, get rid of the militias and their masters, or live with the consequences. The world should be ashamed. We have seen it all before in Rwanda, Bosnia, you name it. The dead do not come back.
Zelko, Canada
The UN and the African Union should immediately coalesce to enforce peace in Darfur. In my view, the Sudanese government is colluding with the militia and should be relieved of any possible "responsibility" in stopping the militia. It will be on the conscience of the whole world if we do not take the initiative to protect the people. Lastly, where is President Bush who went to war to eliminate the evil Sadam? Is this evil regime more acceptable?
Carolyn G. Peabody, Orient Point New York US
The crisis in Darfur cannot be solved by making false allegations of genocide when all official reports of EU and State Dept tell the opposite. The suffering of the people of Darfur as well as the people of other parts of Sudan are due to injustice of Education and medical services. Instead of sending troops to Sudan, send aid immediately.
Osman Abdalla, Khartoum, Sudan
Once again, after ten years, a genocide on Africa soil. The deadline given to the Sudan government doesn't have an effect on the death of civilians. More and more will die as we await the expiration of the deadline in order to take action. With Arabs backing the Sudanese government on extension of the deadline and more arms to the Sudan government to disarm the people it armed, shows that it is more likely that we will see more deaths. Sudan has failed to resolve the crisis and it needs an equal and opposite force to change the direction of events in Darfur. The Africa Union and more especially Sudan's neighbours should give first aid as we wait, since the UN has never stopped a genocide in its lifetime.
Justus K, Kigali Rwanda
Some lines to a George Harrison song go "beware of darkness" and "beware of greedy leaders". I've always felt this particularly pertained to the continent of Africa. Why is there so much more focus on the insanity in the Middle East, for example? I don't really think "the world" gives a damn about the Darfur crisis. And if "the world" does give a damn they sure aren't going to do the right thing.
Rose, New York, USA
Like so much of what happens in the region, it would be laughable, if the results were not so tragic, to see the difference between what happens when real horrors take place in Sudan's Darfur and the international outrage devoted to false accusations against Israel. Considering the Sudanese regime weakness and bankruptcy, it shouldn't take much pressure to stop the killings.
Marwan Al-Osman, Doha, Qatar
In the current situation the poor and miserable people of Darfur need help to come to a peaceful solution. Sanctions of any sort will add up the miseries of commoners, and military intervention will only act as fire on the fuel. We need to give a fair chance to the Sudanese government to sort out this crisis in their own way. The world should support them to stop the human rights violation and to root out the rebels from the region. Even God gave chances to humans to make up for their ill-deeds and Sudanese people should be given a chance to work out this problem. The UN needs to play its role in an effective manner. If a military intervention is required it should be with the consent of United Nations.
Ayesha Riaz, Peshawar, Pakistan.
The conflict in Darfur is known to be tribal. The exacerbation of the situation over the last few months is the doing of the armed militia on both sides and it is fuelled by the unbalanced western media reports. Sending troops will add to the suffering of the innocents. All the people of Darfur are Muslims. Darfur is in the heart of Africa. Give the AU and the Sudan people a chance to do their homework. The EU and the US can help by giving medical aid and food, and help finalize a political solution once and for all for all Sudan.
Osman Abdalla, Khartoum, Sudan
These people are allowed to suffer like this because the world powers are afraid of upsetting Muslims. That's the real reason and everybody knows it.
Nick, Brighton, UK
There are three choices for the world,
1) do nothing and cry because of the genocide,
2) send in troops to stop the genocide and risk possible war,
3) beg the US to do something and then complain when they do. Take your choice.
Richard T. Ketchum, USA
It is high time that United Nations acted and a peace keeping force intervened in Darfur. Senseless killing and seizing assets by one cast over another (whether whites taking Arab land or Arabs taking black community land) are despicable.
Paul Ignatius, Jackson, USA
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It is time for the UN to take appropriate action towards the resolving of the problem
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The people of Darfur have suffered a silent persecution - genocide, kidnapping, slavery - for a long period of time, and the different forms of succeeding Sudanese government were aware of it. It is time for the UN to take appropriate action towards the resolving of the problem by establishing UN peacekeeping force headquarters in the area. The international community should not be wasting time debating on the credibility of the present government.
Botros, Canada
This crisis should be left as a challenge for the AU. It's high time for African leaders to show that they are good for something.
Cheikh Diop, Dakar, Senegal
Why does it always appear to be Britain that offers up aid to every humanitarian crisis in the world? Why do we pay the UN at all? Without wishing to sound harsh and uncaring, why doesn't the Arab League donate aid? It's not as if its members can't afford it, is it? We have enough problems with the homeless and unemployed in our own country, why don't we concentrate on that for a change instead of putting money into the pocket of a government that has no intention of helping its own people?
Paul, UK
Isn't the entire world waiting for America to "fix it" as they usually do only to sit back and criticise us when it fails? Why don't the European nations get together and lead by example for a change.
Debbie, CA, USA
The United Nations and the rest of the world should have intervened months ago. Kofi Annan has tried not to call the ethnic cleansing 'genocide' as that would need a multinational presence that he doesn't have the support for. It is deeply saddening and equally infuriating that the developed world hasn't intervened and fully backed going to and helping Sudan. It seems we are only used to picking up the pieces, never preventing disasters.
Jason Robinson, Dublin, Ireland
Any logical person cannot suggest the Sudanese government should be left to resolve this crisis. In the first place the government is the financer and organiser of these crimes against humanity. For God's sake let these innocent, poor people of Darfur be rescued from the hands of these butchers.
Joseph Lasuru, Glasgow, UK
Yes, all the neighbouring Arab nations should intervene. The intervention should be first diplomatic then military if diplomacy doesn't bring about any results.
Irfan Haqqee, Mississauga, Canada
The unfortunate incident in Darfur has once again shown in the insincerity of African leaders. The government in Sudan has been speaking from both sides of the mouth on the conflict which is an indictment and a reflection of the bad leadership style that is prevalent in Africa. Everything must be done including sanctions to stop the carnage which is claiming lives in thousands on a daily basis.
Adekola Kolawole, Lagos, Nigeria
UN must stop dithering and start doing something for once.
David Burke, Singapore
Sending in peace keeping troops is only done in a time of war not genocide. The UN, US, UK and EU have been delivering a clear message which is commendable. The rot stops at the AU's door, what has it said? Let it be clear that no one should support any government in power that kills its own people. That is why it keeps on occurring in Africa because Africans themselves are unwilling to put a stop to it. Morocco in the Western Sahara and Zimbabwe are classical examples.
KT, Harare, Zimbabwe
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We Africans are the worst enemies of ourselves
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As an African I am very bitter that innocent children and women are suffering while countries like Algeria, Pakistan, Russia and Brazil claim the Sudan government needs time. Aren't military orders given and followed instantly? We Africans are the worst enemies of ourselves. The African Union has failed. For how long will we be tossed left and right by people who are only after their own economic interests? Since when did Russia, Brazil and Pakistan have the welfare of poor languishing and dying Africans at heart?
Patrick, Leeds, UK
I lived for many happy years in the Sudan and unless you are aware of the vast size and inaccessibility of parts of the country you can't begin to understand the size problem. Whatever we think of the Sudanese government it is the people in Darfur we should be concentrating on. We should be sending aid to them first and foremost and help in their suffering. I don't think that imposing sanctions would help end the conflict in fact I would think that it would probably make it worse.
Katie, Edinburgh
Its about time the super rich Arab world stepped up to the plate and helped instead of relying on the USA and UK
Peter Hewett, Toronto Canada
I believe that UN should against all normal protocols, send aid as soon as possible to save them, and not deliberating on the possibility of sanction.
Umeh Patrick, Nigeria
The Darfur crisis has all the earmarks of a genocide; including the world community again sitting back and wringing their hands while hundreds of people are killed in the most brutal fashion. The world stood by while hundreds of thousands were killed in Rwanda, the DRC and Sierra Leone. Yet the West intervened in Bosnia and Kosovo. I can deduce nothing from these facts save that a life in Europe is worth a lot more than that of an African to the nations of the world. Why?
Wallace Ryan, St. John's, Newfoundland
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Send in the Peace-Keepers now
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Can someone remind again what we have the UN for because frankly I see little point in having just another talking shop. Sanctions! Right, so those poor people starve even more. Send in the Peace-Keepers now! I cannot bear to see another child die of starvation on TV, knowing we are doing nothing.
Rebecca , UK
Take our troops out of Iraq, we're not wanted there, forget about the oil Mr President, and send our troops to Sudan. The whole world can get behind this!
Kimberly, Los Angeles, USA
This Third world country ethnic cleansing our people who're already deprived is unthinkable! Their blood cry is without consolation.
Kwasi Adade, Ghana
This is a tribal conflict. One group says the other group started the chain of event, and they just responded to protect themselves. Most of the death now is due to lack of food, clean water, medical and shelters. The more basic need reach the needy people, there will be less death. Economic sanction doesn't help anybody. Sending troops will lead to bloodsheds that are not easily stopped?
Mohamed Daud, Malaysia
I've read some of the comments and had to stop before I put my fist through the screen. The crusades were over 500 years ago... Let's give UN some teeth use it's forces to create real safe havens so the aid workers can operate safely. And use whatever means necessary to ensure that the Sudanese government starts to act responsibly. We must not allow the cynical and the naysayers stop us from doing what is right.
Ged, Liverpool
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It only hurts the ones that are suffering
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This is indeed genocide. Where ever there is mass killing and as organized plan to do same is genocide. The international body will do little by imposing sanctions. It only hurts the ones that are suffering. They should use force on several fronts: send in troops, block government officials' bank account, and ban them from travelling while at the same time sponsor peace talk. It worked in Sierra Leone and Liberia, it will work in Darfur.
Arthur Berrian, Freetown, Sierra Leone
As sanctions and actions (?) seem more and more likely in Sudan, I'm just waiting for Europeans to rally to Darfur as human shields for the government and the militia groups who might be targeted by this contemptible western colonialism. I mean, they went to Iraq to defend Saddam...
Anders L, Stockholm, Sweden
As I see it, the Darfur crisis is really a planned atrocity which the International Community has to do something about to stop the killing of those poor human beings.
Angelo Wello Agwa, Khartoum, Sudan
Doesn't it seem as if Sudan wants to be invaded? Threatening to fight if foreign soldiers step on their land, as if they're capable of stopping anything more dangerous than an armed boy-scout troop! Now that the world has once again remembered Sudan and the famines, perhaps Bush will signally ignore it because there's no oil, gas, terrorists, etc there to interest him...
Ian, Brit in USA
Africa and the peoples that live there should and must be left to sort out the mess themselves, and that means no intervention or back room deals from the West or the Middle Eastern Muslims. The countries and people of Africa are grown ups or claim to be. We cannot baby-sit them any longer.
Feargus Breakspear, Halifax, Canada
Until the world gets authorization from the UN Security Council there is nothing the world can do so don't even think about it or implying (threatening) Sudan with it. Sanctions which will directly cause the deaths of children - they are a sovereign nation and not in my name will the cowboys launch this attack on a sovereign nation. And if you do, I demand you be dragged before the ICC. All Europe can do is take the refugees in, especially since you are closer than the USA, and you colonized them - perhaps you should send ships to evacuate them?
Debbie Curnes, Phoenix, United States
When is the world ever going to let Africa solve its problems? We have been milk fed for so long. America, Europe, Asia etc have learnt to solve their own. This is a challenge to our (African) leaders to start being responsible to their countrymen. What is the use of the so called African Union and the so proclaimed superpowers of Africa?
Bukenya, Kampala, Uganda
The powers that be should create a safe haven in Darfur like they did in Iraq for the Kurds. These people are faced with far worse atrocities than the Kurds faced under Saddam.
Maxwell Kawere, Kwekwe, Zimbabwe
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Maybe now you understand why the fact of there being no WMDs in Iraq didn't bother most Americans
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You know one thing I have noticed on this message board. The people from the US, for the vast majority, are anxious, eager, and willing to go into the Sudan and stop the violence. The rest of the world seems to be cynical, saying if we help them now they will just screw up later. One guy even said that condemning what's going on in the Sudan is anti-Islamic. This is ridiculous. Maybe now you understand why the fact of there being no WMDs in Iraq didn't bother most Americans. We were happy to overthrow a ruthless regime responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands and we are willing to do it again.
Michael, Texas
When are we going to get aid to these people - who are just like you and me! How soon do you think we would go in if there were mass rapes in Europe? Please help these families, children! Get in and help.
Jackie Ainsworth, Bath, UK
This is the way it all started in Rwanda and the world was busy talking and not acting, now in Darfur, people are dying and we are debating on whether to intervene or not. This is no time for sweet talk, but action, action, and action. When are we really going to stop all the sweet talk and act? Something has to be done, and now!
Barry, Abuja, Nigeria
I'm disappointed the Islamic world isn't speaking out against this manmade catastrophe.
Shawn, Washington DC, USA
To Shawn, Washington DC: I too am disappointed with the Islamic world for not doing anything to help in Sudan... but what did the Christian world do for the even bigger crisis in Rwanda? Nothing.
Fraz, Loughborough
It is about time the UN became the superior world power and started policing the planet. The world's armed forces and other agencies could be mobilised to deal with any emergency swiftly. Unworthy governments should be removed from power, forcibly if necessary. If we don't grasp the nettle, this disaster will not be the last by any means.
Dave, UK
No one will do anything. The UN has proven itself to be ineffective at keeping the peace, so even if they sent in troops, nothing would be done. Even though the US wants to impose sanctions, this is a token gesture. The US will send no military force into the Sudan, because it will not benefit them in anyway, even though the situation there is much worse than it was in Iraq. At most the western world will send a few hundred ill-equipped peace keepers who are forbidden to do anything, and 10 years later we will be remembering this just like Rwanda, and crying "We should have done something".
Mark, Brisbane, Australia
Military intervention or leave them alone? It matters not a jot - African states have been on a spiral of self-destruction, genocide, and civil war for years. No amount of external intervention will stop this. Your great great grandchildren will be contributing to this debate and nothing will have changed.
Rick, Tintagel, UK
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I have no problem whatsoever with using force to remove anyone who would willingly allow the deaths of the people they are supposed to govern
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Sanctions will do little good, and neither will the plane loads of aid, for the simple reason that the current government does not want interference or criticism. If we truly want a change, it will not come about by diplomatic means. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is a good example of just how useless sanctions are unless the whole world applies them, and the Sudanese government are following the example he set. As long as one country continues to supply or support the current government in any substantial way, the common people will not receive the help they need. All we are doing is creating a continent full of people who expect to be allowed to do whatever they want, and leave their people to expect hand-outs from abroad. There has to be a better way. I have no problem whatsoever with using force to remove anyone who would willingly allow the deaths of the people they are supposed to govern.
Peter, Hastings, UK
Here is the opportunity and chance for all the Arabs to express their dislike in the name of Islam, against the killings committed by Arab militias, supported by the Sudanese government. They could do it easily, as they did it kindly during Afghanistan war on the Taliban.
Vladimir, Slovakia
With the increasing media coverage of the Baghdad crisis, I sincerely hope that attention will not be drawn away from Sudan. This situation has been cast aside for a year now and no more time should be wasted.
Emmanuel Quartey, Tema, Ghana
Well, as Bush moves to countries just for oil and power, why for a change don't we send our soldiers to try and save some human lives?
Corso, Florence, Italy
I worry very much how some of your contributors have seen the choice as one between military intervention or nothing. The cost of providing humanitarian aid pales into insignificance next to the military budget for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Besides aid, diplomatic efforts could and absolutely should be the next step. Economic sanctions, as in Iraq, tend to punish the population as a whole, and I fail to see how starving more Sudanese villagers will bring the government in Khartoum to heel. Threatening the government is not going to be any more beneficial than it was in Kosovo, where the bullying of Milosevic clearly led to the sudden acceleration of atrocities, as was predicted before the event by General Clark. Aid first, then we can begin to think about influencing the government to change their policies. We can't just shoot our way in, and to do so would be to set a precedent for military solutions to every problem. A debate over the pros and cons of military action is a total insult to the thousands of starving people who need food and shelter, which we should be providing without question.
Charlie Bosworth, London, UK
As I understand the African problem, the more aid we give the great the famine. We continue to throw good money after bad straight in to the hands of the corrupt.
Alwyn Powell, Leeds England
This latest Darfur marketing campaign is nothing more than an extension of war against Islam. OK there is no question that crimes due take place there as they do in the rest of African conflicts. They are fuelled by the west and crimes take place in the entire world - the US with the highest murder rate in the world. But to single out Sudan is hypocrisy. If the US and UK are bringing war and oppression to Muslims, the Muslims will react adequately and will defend themselves.
Ali, Austria
The answer to Darfur lies in geology not in diplomacy. Send in the geologists - find oil and Western countries will suddenly become interested in resolving the problem.
Danny, London, UK
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Backing one side or the other will only leave resentments for a later conflict
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Leave them alone to sort it out themselves, backing one side or the other will only leave resentments for a later conflict. All money, aid, or sanctions are a waste of time. It is an internal problem, they are not invading other countries so stop being so meddling.
James, London, England
I don't know what good sanctions are supposed to do, I don't know what good the UN are, I do know this is genocide and any world leader with an army available can prevent the rapes and killings. Let's not go running to the UN, they have shown before, even with genocide, they will be reluctant to act. If I were a world leader I'd be on the phone to every other world leader to see who would join us in stopping the genocide.
Rob, Manchester, UK
Both the US and EU are "talking the talk", threatening sanctions and the like, but neither are "walking the walk". Likewise, China, Russia and the Arab nations are conspicuous in their absence. Time for the UN to call a spade a spade thus forcing action. This is genocide and nothing else.
Matt, Amsterdam, Netherlands (ex UK)
The world cannot afford another Rwanda or Burundi. The World through the UN must send a clear message to the Sudanese government that in the event that genocide occurs in Sudan, they would stand trial at the Hague.
Charles, Lagos, Nigeria
Sanctions just do not work - look how they were broken by various countries in the case of South Africa and Rhodesia. But, this is an exact replay of Kosovo in 1999 - the alleged genocide was taking place and the West and Nato went to war. Why is the West sitting on its hands by talking about punitive sanctions, when people are dying in great numbers? Ten years ago in Rwanda, the UN did nothing but hesitate and the worst genocide since 1945 was allowed to go ahead unchecked. Personally, I believe that the West has the chance to redeem itself in African eyes after the Rwandan debacle and yes, intervene in Darfur before it is too late. And if that means military action against the medieval theocratic regime in Khartoum - then so be it, as this has more criteria for a humanitarian intervention then the previous wars in Kosovo and Iraq will ever have. We must act now before other world dictatorships feel safe to persecute minorities, safe in the knowledge that the Western industrialised world is always reluctant to intervene.
Phillip Wedgwood Brand, London, England
Humanitarian aid can only help with the symptoms. The UN must send peacekeeping troops in now to root out the militia. This is a far more urgent situation than Iraq was, yet so far nothing is being done.
Jez, Herts, UK
UN peacekeeping troops should be brought in.
James, London, England
I've never seen before that waiting, and talking, and more waiting and talking, ever halted a genocide. The Sudanese have a group of murderous thugs on their hands, and don't appear willing to do anything about it. Rome is burning while the Neroes at the UN fiddle about. If the world cares enough, the world will take concrete action instead of just talking. The U.S. is otherwise engaged, but I hear the German, French and Spanish military don't have anything going on at the moment...
Melanie Willis, North Carolina, USA
Time for the Arab and African nations to do something constructive. Yes the west can help but if we wait for the UN we will wait forever and have another genocide on the world's conscience. Everyone really should now pull together for the common good.
Carole, UK
An international intervention force should be sent in to pacify the situation. There have been too many reports of mass murder and rape to ignore the plight of the Sudanese people. The UN will probably fail to act again so it will have to be a voluntary movement of willing nations to help. Let us learn from the past, quit squabbling over political scraps, and help these people.
Brian Quinn, Pittsburgh, USA
The international community needs to act quickly and decisively to prevent another African genocide. The Sudanese government's reluctance should be dealt with harsh economic sanctions and even possibly with a military intervention.
K Mansoor, Livermore, USA
I agree with the US Congress resolution and think the international community should rush to intervene whatever the cost before things get any worse. The international community has shamelessly avoided the word genocide to ease their conscience and prevent action, much like with what occurred in Rwanda which was only labelled a genocide after it was over. The sad truth is that the genocide continues to occur because the international community seems not to value human life enough to intervene.
Josh, Austin, TX USA
The UN should respond appropriately with a multi-national peacekeeping force. Other countries should contribute from the African region - perhaps South Africa? That would dispel the myth that "western" countries (particularly the UK and USA) intervene in conflicts because of their economic, or strategic geographical interests; this has been the belief of many Arabic people in countries such as Iraq and Turkey.
Daniel Curwood, Annesley Woodhouse, UK
Where are Arab leaders? Why do they not speak out against this? Islam needs to show a compassionate and responsible side to more than just their own people.
Carma, Los Angeles
Have we lost our collective response to cruelty? We now sit in shame as a country and a world that did nothing for Rwanda's genocide. 10 years later, we've learned nothing. If we do not act, again as a country and a global people we will again have our 'tail between our legs' in 10 years. This is a disgrace and I am ashamed this is even considered a discussion!
Marysol, Nashville, TN, USA
We must go in immediately. The international community, not always USA but the Commonwealth too, needs to provide a new determination to stamp out genocide and crimes against humanity wherever they occur. This is particularly true where those countries which once formed part of the British Empire were not satisfactorily prepared for self-government. We should eventually become teachers and friends, nothing more, But sound military intervention will be necessary first.
Rosemary Alabaster, Assisi, Italy
Yes, what the Sudanese Arabs are doing in Darfur is a clear case of genocide. The US Congress deserves praise for applying an imprimatur to this manifest fact. The "international community", unilaterally led by the USA if necessary, ought to break up Sudan into separate regions, by building a barrier between the Arab North, and the Black South, and Darfur in the West. The Southern Christian areas ought to be given their independence. Sudan is the largest country in Africa, in terms of area, and there is enough land to allow it to be broken up. Doing so would make a powerful example of those brutal regimes who think that they can practice genocide with impunity. In the end, just as was the case with Serbia, the thugs will lose everything.
David, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Once again the UN stands by the wayside. I am vastly disappointed as well in the lack of involvement from France and Germany. How long are all of the so called nations of morality such as France going to use apathy as an excuse? This is why the USA and the UK always end up policing these horrible problems. Wake up France, Germany, China and Arab nations! If you truly strive for peace, you would help those in crisis. Its about time you proved your words.
Dustin, Detroit , MI Area, USA
The peace loving world should work and help the government of Sudan to solve this humanitarian disaster. There are countries which want to capitalise on this tragedy for their own vendetta. I am someone who has been in the region of Western Sudan (Darfur areas). I know the politics and the culture of the people. Creating it as Afro-Arab problem is not helpful. Working with the Sudanese Government will end the tension and the poverty (the main problem). As of now, emergency relief is the answer, and then point fingers later.
Mike Aziz, Vancouver, Canada
The UN should be the only group intervening on an international scale, because this will help to prevent war profiteering like that in Iraq. Sudan rightfully does not want profiteers on their soil, perhaps fearing that Halliburton and McDonalds and Wal-Mart will end up owning their natural resources!
David Stephen Ball-Romney, Seattle, USA
A million people were butchered in Rwanda while Kofi Annan deliberated the semantics of "genocide". The same dithering and inaction cost thousands of lives in Srebrenica. And yet the UN was quick to denounce US intervention in Iraq at a time when we were being told that up to a million children had died of starvation there as a result of UN sanctions. I hope the US will just do what needs to be done and ignore the usual anti-American armchair protesters.
Paul, London
Because it's a matter of life and death, the US (with help from anyone wanting to help) needs to go in and act swiftly. I would love to put pressure on France, Germany and Spain to do something, but lives are at stake. The US will get criticised, but again we don't care, it's the right thing to do.
Mike Daly, Miami, FL, USA
I only realised the extent of the crisis in Darfur thanks to reading the BBC website. Obviously, in North America the crisis is not getting the attention it merits. For the international community to turn the blind eye to the situation is a moral injustice.
Amalia Jimenez, Winnipeg, Canada
Sanctions and arms embargo on Sudan.
Ilya, Waltham, MA, USA
Over 10 years of sanctions - economic, trade and medical - imposed by the US and UK in Iraq was seen by many commentators as genocide. Although, nothing will be better for the beleaguered Bush and Blair to start a new "Operation Restore Hope" style pantomime to try and salvage some votes as both are willing to send in the troops as long as the opposition are a poorly trained, badly organised rag bag army, like in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Phil , UK
The extent of the participation from the US will be food donations. There is no way Bush is going to send military personnel to defuse the situation prior to the election. Sadly enough, the inept UN will do nothing and the US/UK will likely be blamed for the suffering.
Jeff Block, Chicago IL
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This is an opportunity for America and Britain's global influence
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What is happening in Darfur is the early stages of genocide and that is most certainly the intent of those behind these actions and their sponsors. This is an opportunity for America and Britain's global influence and military might to be applied in a way that makes the world a better and safer place; yes, an opportunity to do the right thing for once.
Shawn, Knoxville, USA
Save havens should be set up similar to what occurred in Kurdish Iraq. I hope more than just the US and UK will contribute.
Vinay, Sweden
Well, Europe, this is your opportunity to show you truly care about the former colonies in Africa that you destroyed over the past couple of centuries. Instead of waiting and criticizing every move the US makes, this, how about actually doing the right thing for humanity's sake?
Jagan, US
Haven't we heard this before? The UN imposed sanctions on Iraq 10 years ago, Citizens carried on being starved and killed, America got the blame.
Paul Weaver, London, UK
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The ANC should respond immediately and with force
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If in fact there is genocide being committed then the ANC should respond immediately and with force if necessary, and if they fail to act, which is most likely, then the UN should act. Genocide should not be tolerated.
Greg, Bermuda
If the systematic displacement, raping, killing and starving of thousands of members of one unarmed ethnic group by another armed and government-supported ethnic group isn't ethnic cleansing, then what is? Officials don't want to call it ethnic cleansing because it might obligate them to do more than just wringing their hands together.
Max, Indianapolis, USA
Bosnia...Rwanda...Chechnya... It is painfully obvious that the UN is incapable of learning from past experiences. They continue to under react and create excuses while the slaughter goes on. When will the world ever learn?
DS, Daytona Beach, USA
"It's too early to send troops" says Blair whilst genocide wipes out thousands of lives. So when is the right time? Once they're all dead? Unfortunately, there is no oil there, no reconstruction contracts to be had, no strategic advantage to be had from intervention and no brownie points with the US...just poor Africans dying.
ML, London, England
To ML, London - Actually there is quite a bit of oil in Sudan. France is heavily invested in making sure that oil flows uninterrupted. That is why the French have been against invoking the word "genocide". Their people at the UN are calling this a "civil war" even though one side is hardly equipped to fight any kind of war. France can veto any UN action, which is one of the reasons why the UN is not taking this issue seriously.
Jim , NJ, USA
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There is oil, construction contracts, and strategic value to Sudan
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To ML of London: There is oil, construction contracts, and strategic value to Sudan. Just ask the French among others, who as usual seek to block UN actions to protect their oil interest.
Tom, Baltimore, MD, USA
First: the world must acknowledge that the UN is totally irrelevant. Rwanda, Kosovo, Sudan, etc are clear example of such a phoney institution. Second: European countries such as France and Germany as usual will say it's not our problem. Third: The world will look up to US for leadership and help. UN must act now to stop the murder of women, children and innocent.
Kevin, SF, USA
Innocent civilians are dying while the EU and the UN fiddle around and look the other way. I'm sure the US will be denounced by the usual voices as unilateralist for the Congressional resolution, but splitting hairs over whether or not this is genocide is just absurd. As evidenced by this tragedy, Rwanda, and other similar tragedies around the world, the so-called "international community" is impotent and spineless to truly help suffering people.
Roger, Illinois, USA
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It is time the Arab countries did something towards world peace
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The UN needs to send in a strong force of Muslim troops to prevent the janjaweed from carrying out genocide. It is time the Arab countries did something towards world peace.
Ron, Manchester UK
The best solution would be for a 'no fly' Zone in the West and South of Sudan and an International ban on Khartoum oil export and arms import. A final solution could be regime change. 200 US commandos would topple the government.
Kuol Deng, Twic County, New Sudan
The world needs help with food, medical resources and military forces to protect people who need protection. Having done that Sudan needs to be forced to act to provide justice and security. Sanctions is not the answer. It falls very short in dealing with the problem, it shows our failure to understand other people's cultures and needs
Ahmad Hmoud, Jordan, Amman
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Once again America has to shoulder the burden
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Of course the Darfur crisis is genocide. Why hasn't the EU or the UN stepped up to the challenge? Why is it once again America has to shoulder the burden? All anybody in the "international community" wants to do is smugly criticize the US for well, anything. This lack of action from the international community and perpetual backstabbing in the face of crisis after crisis is the reason so many people in the US want America to pull out of the UN, myself included.
John, USA
I keep asking the question, "Where is the Arab World's response to the genocide?" This is a crisis caused by Arab militias. It is the perfect time for Arabs and Muslims to prove to the world that Islam is a religion of peace and charity and stop these murders and provide aid. Yet, as far as I can tell, there is silence. In addition, where is China's response? China is now a modern thriving economy with stellar GDP growth rates. Is it not time they "pitch in" and assist when humanitarian disasters occur? Why does the world expect the UK and US to always be the world's "police force" and "charity"?
Alistair Asquith, NJ, US / London, UK
We do not need another illegal US invasion to "help" Africa. This is no business of the US or the UN, it is an African problem. Any interference with Muslim actions will only cause bad reactions.
Amir, Sudan
The international community should do nothing. It would be hypocritical to go into Sudan when the world has condemned intervention in Iraq to rescue people from Saddam's cruel, murderous dictatorship.
Alan, Manchester, UK
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The UN will drag its feet until the genocide is completed
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The conflict in Darfur once again proves that colour matters. If the poor people of Darfur had been white, the story would be different. The UN will drag its feet until the genocide is completed. The UN must take action against Sudan. Sudan has carried out atrocities on the black people in the south, helped the Lord's Resistance Army inflict untold suffering on the people of northern Uganda and now their evil sword is slaughtering the people of Darfur. The UN has time to swiftly pass resolutions about the Israeli wall but apparently no time for the poor Africans! Shame on you Kofi.
Moses Kitakule, USA
To Moses Kitakule, USA: You claim that if the people of Sudan were white the UN would get involved. If that is the only reason they get involved, how do you explain the UN operations in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Western Sahara, Burundi or the DR Congo? Or the recent operations in Rwanda, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia and so on?
Andrew, London
Why is it always the US and UK who have to get involved? There are other countries in the world, aren't there? Words cost them nothing. Let's see some action from these armchair moralists.
Rob, UK
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