Find Out When Candidates Are Coming to You...

Check the websites for John McCain and Barack Obama to find out when they'll be in your area!

...And Ask Them How They'll Stop Genocide in Darfur

The following are both open-ended and specific questions that you can ask the candidates about Darfur. Developed by policy experts at the Genocide Intervention Network, the ENOUGH Project and the Save Darfur Coalition, these questions will help you address the most critical issues of the conflict.

Specific Policy Asks

The following paragraphs outline the five basic policy points of the Ask The Candidates campaign. Also included are sample questions that you can ask candidates to elicit "yes/no" answers. This creates a clear public record of where the candidate stands on each policy point. We hope that you will record the questions you ask, and the answers you receive at all campaign events you attend, so we can keep a running, public record.

Use these questions during events where the candidate only has a few moments to answer questions.

1) Multilateral Targeted Sanctions

Impose multilateral targeted sanctions through the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) against those responsible for any of the following: continued perpetration of atrocities, obstructing the deployment of peacekeepers as mandated in UNSC resolution 1769, or impeding the peace process.

Sample question:

"The situation in the Darfur region of Sudan is desperate, but the international community has taken an important step to kick-start a peace process by authorizing United Nations (UN) peacekeepers into Darfur. However, the Government of Sudan continues to delay the deployment of the peacekeeping force. As president, would you work with the international community to impose targeted sanctions that would ensure that no government official or rebel leader continues to commit atrocities, impedes the peace process or obstructs the deployment of a peacekeeping force?"

2) United Nations Financial Obligations

Commit the United States to meet our financial obligations to United Nations Peacekeeping, including making up unpaid bills of more than $1 billion.

Sample question:

"More UN Peacekeepers are deployed around the world than at anytime in history, risking their lives to prevent conflict, monitor peace agreements, and protect civilians. The Africa Union-UN hybrid peacekeeping force called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1769 is the largest and most logistically complex in history. As president, will you commit to supporting this critical force and others by paying off IN FULL our financial obligations to UN peacekeeping, which amount to more than $1 billion?

3) High-Level Diplomatic Team to Darfur Region

Deploy a high-level diplomatic team to work full-time in the region to ensure that a fair and lasting peace is forged.

Sample question:

"In the past year, the UK, France and China have all indicated a greater commitment to stopping genocide in Darfur. The international community now has a real opportunity to restore peace to Sudan. As president, will you deploy a high-level diplomatic team to work full-time in the region to ensure that a fair and lasting peace is forged?"

4) International Criminal Court

Support the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutions of senior Sudanese officials, Janjaweed militia, or rebel commanders who have sanctioned or committed genocide or crimes against humanity through proactively sharing intelligence.

Sample question:

"In July 2008, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecute Luis Moreno-Ocampo sought a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir for alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide committed in Darfur. As president, will you support the ICC prosecutions of rebel, militia or government officials who have committed genocide or crimes against humanity?"

Open-Ended Questions

In discussions that we have had with experienced campaign staff, it is apparent that campaign policy directors determine policy based on two processes: 1) discussions with selected "experts" and 2) in response to a specific request from the candidate.

The following "open-ended questions" are intended to test the candidates' abilities to demonstrate a more detailed and nuanced understanding of the situation in Darfur and in the event that they do not have a good answer to persuade them to go back to their campaign's policy director with a request to formulate a position that deals with the question. This is in contract to the specific questions, which are intended to push the candidates to make very specific commitments for the public record.

Use these questions during events where the candidate has more time to expound on the issue of Darfur. You might also want to follow up with one of the specific policy asks, especially if the candidate gives a vague answer.

1) Issue: Peacekeeping

"In August of 2007, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) authorized a hybrid AU/UN peacekeeping force for Darfur. Yet still today only a few hundred troops have been added to the pre-existing, overwhelmed AU force. The peacekeepers who are on the ground lack the equipment and helicopters they need to have a real impact. What can the United States do to ensure that the UN peacekeeping force immediately deploys and is equipped and resourced to effectively protect civilians in Darfur?

2) Issue: The peace process

"Many experts believe that the only sustainable way to protect Darfurians is to solve the underlying issues that drove Darfurian rebels to take up arms against their government. How, specifically, would your administration support a peace process that will lead to a lasting agreement between the government, rebels and Darfurian civil society? How would you ensure that the mistakes made in negotiating the first Darfur Peace Agreement are not repeated?"

3) Issue: Punitive sanctions

"Given the Sudanese government's record of making and breaking promises to the international community, what do you believe the U.S. can and should do to ensure that Khartoum does not obstruct forward momentum on the peace process and the deployment of the hybrid force? How can the U.S. work with other governments to apply the necessary international pressure to make sure that both remain on track?"

4) Issue: Chinese leverage

"China is a major supporter of Sudan (China buys roughly two-thirds of Sudan's oil, and has invested $7 billion in development/infrastructure projects). How would you engage with China's leaders to ensure that China uses its leverage with the Sudanese government to help end the genocide in Darfur?"

5) Issue: ICC punishment

"How can the United States and the international community work to ensure that the perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur are brought to justice? What can the United States do to hold those responsible for atrocities to account?"

6) Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)

"Darfur is not the first time that the Bashir government in Sudan has committed mass atrocities against its own people. 2 million people died in a brutal 20-year war between the government and Southern rebels. During President Bush's first term, the Administration mobilized the forceful leadership and focused diplomacy necessary to produce the peace agreement that brought peace to Southern Sudan. Many believe that agreement is now at serious risk. As president, how will you ensure that this peace does not unravel? How will you extend it to the whole of Sudan?"