As violence escalates in Darfur alongside rising tensions in south Sudan, there is a renewed need for a permanent, full-time U.S. diplomat to Darfur. Working alongside the diplomatic team negotiating the CPA between north and south Sudan, this diplomat must be someone experienced in African affairs who is willing to help towards a peaceful Sudan. 

The need for a Darfur diplomat comes at a time when nationwide issues and regional security problems are tying regional conflicts together. Peace in south Sudan and Darfur cannot be successfully negotiated separately at different times, as the past several years of violence, genocide, and civil war have proven time and time again. 

The Darfur diplomat must work towards the following:

placing Darfur back into the media spotlight, securing unfettered access for UN peacekeepers and aid workers across Darfur, neutralizing the Lord's Resistance Army by working with regional partners, the United Nations, and the US diplomatic team in south Sudan, ending human rights abuses against civilians in Darfur, ending air assaults and arms shipments into Darfur, bringing all parties to the negotiating table , empowering civil society leaders to work with relief agencies towards developmental aid practices, and increase civil protection by empowering UNAMID with direly needed equipment donations, from the United States and other countries, such as helicopters, intelligence gathering equipment, and additional communication equipment, connecting with other UN peacekeeping mission heads and sharing best practices, and lastly promote justice and accountability in Darfur.

Significant gains must be made soon to ensure Darfur can be stabilized, civilians protected, and rebuilding to begin.