The world’s failure to end the killing in Darfur may soon be compounded by renewed fighting in southern Sudan.
Another genocide cannot be allowed to The new threat centers on the oil-rich region of Abyei, which is claimed by both Sudan’s government and the semiautonomous government of South Sudan.
Several hundred people have died there in recent clashes between a large group of Arab nomads, the Misseriya, and South Sudan’s armed forces.
Like the janjaweed militias that unleashed Darfur’s horrors, the Misseriya are armed and encouraged by Khartoum.
We are encouraged that President Bush has appointed a new envoy, Richard Williamson, a lawyer who is already goading the United Nations and the White House to do more about Darfur’s nightmare.
The Security Council had promised to send 26,000 peacekeepers by the end of last year.
So far, there are only 9,000 because of Khartoum’s obstruction, United Nations red tape and the fecklessness of all the major states.
Mr.Williamson’s goal ? another 3,600 peacekeepers by the end of May ? still falls pitifully short of what is needed.
He will also have to find ways to salvage the north-south peace deal before it is too late.
The international community must find more effective ways to pressure Khartoum.
China, Sudan’s major oil client, has leverage but has not done nearly enough.
Beijing and Russia must suspend arms sales.
The United States must keep sanctions in place and consider a no-flight zone over Darfur.
Major players ? including Europe and Sudan’s Arab allies ? should make clear that Khartoum will pay a stiff price if it attacks the South.
The United Nations should increase monitoring of flashpoints in Abyei and work to prevent local clashes from escalating.
The United States and others also need a fallback plan.
They need to do a lot more to help southern Sudan build up its government and economy and, if necessary, its ability to defend itself.