Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is currently making a bid to become the next president of the African Union, the very same international organization which is trying to stem the violence in Darfur. Since 2003, rebels in Darfur have been in opposition to the government. Rather than send the military to engage the rebels, al-Bashir gave governmental support and money to the Janjaweed, militias which have carried out ethnic cleansing and led to the death and displacement of millions of Darfuris. President al-Bashir has been reluctant to cooperate with humanitarian and international organizations despite calls from President Bush and Kofi Annan to lift restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid to Darfur.

Earlier this month, Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson brokered an agreement between al-Bashir and several rebel factions in Darfur to a 60-day ceasefire. However, with allegations of breaches on all sides, the ceasefire never became effective. SaveDarfur.org is currently contacting President Bush to do more to end the ethnic cleansing in Darfur, and prevent President al-Bashir from taking control of the African Union. If Bashir is successful, the violence may never end.

Visit SaveDarfur.org to send a letter to Bush.