These days it seems that good news is hard to come by.  When I open the paper in the morning I usually brace myself for another onslaught of destruction and desperation – whether that be Iraq, Iran, or the many conflicts in Africa.  However, today I was greeted by the good news that it seems that the largest rebel group operating in Darfur has been convinced to sign onto a peace agreement.  I’ve written previously that this horrible genocide deserves immediate action by both Democrats and Republicans and I feel somewhat encouraged by events in the past week that this actually happened. 

On Sunday I attended the Save Darfur rally on the national mall.  I’ve been to my share of political rallies before.  Most of the ones that I’ve attended draw a similar cadre of people – usually those who would consider themselves on the political left.  This rally, however, was certainly a much more diverse group.  There were the expected internationalist do gooders, but also substantial representation from fundamentalist Christians.  There also were a large number of Jewish groups in attendance.  The speakers at the rally also were an interesting mix that included both Democrats (Nancy Pelosi, Barak Obama, Jon Corzine) and Republicans (Frank Wolf, Michael Steele).  While the speakers overall tended Democratic, I was encouraged by the Republican representation. 

On Sunday night it seemed that the peace talks had broken down because the rebel groups had rejected the proposed agreement.  Granted, it seems that the Sudanese government supported the agreement only after it was clear that it wouldn’t pass due to rebel opposition.  Nevertheless, the Bush administration made a last ditch effort to salvage this agreement.  Robert Zoellick, who has been very personally invested in the issue, was sent over to help renegotiate this seemingly doomed deal.  After several extended deadlines, Zoellick’s participation along with that of Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo seemed to provide the final push necessary to save the deal.  I don’t pretend that the rally on Sunday in Washington DC and other cities across the country was the major factor that saved this peace deal.  However, I do believe that the tireless work by millions of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, who have spent the past several months contacting their elected representatives and the President did make a difference.  During the past several months the President has been increasingly direct about the need to end this genocide and his willingness to take action to do so.  Now the hard part comes.  The Sudanese government has said that they will allow UN peacekeepers in the country after a peace deal is signed.  Although it makes sense that these peacekeepers come from African or other Muslim nations, the bill for such a force will be substantial.  We now will need the same bipartisan commitment that brought us the peace deal to financially support a UN force.  The process of peace building and reconstruction will be a long arduous process with many setbacks.  We must maintain our resolve to see this through to the end.  That will require constant support from both Democrats and Republicans.   

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