A global coalition of Muslim groups has urged the Arab League to act urgently to address the crisis in Darfur. In an open letter to the League's Secretary General, Amr Moussa, Arzu Merali, the groups said, "Arab nations must take a stand to prove their claim that they are not taking 'ethnic sides' in the violence in Darfur."
The coalition of more than 20 Muslim groups criticised lack of attention paid to the crisis so far, saying, "The crisis has cost the lives of at least 200,000 Muslims yet it has not yet captured the attention of the Muslim world in the way that it should."
The letter also accused the Sudanese government of obstructing the full deployment of the UN peacekeeping force. The Muslim groups appealed to the Arab League to call for an end to the obstructions on the deployment and call on those countries which have the capability to offer their own resources and manpower to support the protection of civilians.
The Arab League should also contribute much more to the humanitarian effort and put pressure on all sides to engage honestly in the talks and encourage all sides to show flexibility.
"In the wake of increasing attacks in the past month, particularly in West Darfur, we call on the Arab League to speak out against the violence. President Bashir has said he would consider a ceasefire but we also know that many such ceasefires have been broken in the past. The Arab League as well as calling for a ceasefire should speak out against anyone, government or rebels who break it," the letter said.
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