Save Darfur Blasts China’s Ongoing Military Links with Genocidal Regime

Atallah: It’s unclear whether China is wilfully violating the U.N. arms embargo, is turning a blind eye to the consequences of its support, or is simply being manipulated by al-Bashir

WASHINGTON – Amjad Atallah, senior director of international advocacy and policy for the Save Darfur Coalition, responded to yesterday’s BBC report revealing “the first evidence that China is currently helping Sudan’s government militarily in Darfur.” The report noted that, following the 2005 U.N. arms embargo, China exported 212 army trucks to Sudan – some of which can now be found in Darfur. The report also uncovered evidence that “China was training fighter pilots who fly Chinese A5 Fantan fighter jets in Darfur.”

“Beijing’s military support of Khartoum – in addition to its economic and diplomatic support -- has been troubling for many years, and Sudan and China’s tight lid on information has made it difficult to discern the true nature of their current relationship. The BBC evidence uncovers the ongoing nature of that military support – though the full extent remains unclear. It also remains unclear whether China is wilfully violating the U.N. arms embargo, is turning a blind eye to the consequences of its military support, or is simply being manipulated by al-Bashir’s government.

“What’s clear is that China, and other nations, must end their military relationship with a regime whose president was just accused by the chief prosecutor of the ICC of bearing criminal responsibility for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against his own people. No nation can provide such support to, an individual and regime behind the cruel acts committed against millions of Darfuris, and still claim to be a responsible member of the international community. Long after peace is achieved in Sudan, the long-suffering Sudanese civilians will remember which nations helped Sudan achieve peace and which prolonged its anguish. ”