A new estimate on Darfur’s death toll has been released from the United Nations. Instead of the possibly death toll being at 200,000, it is at 300,000. This is a major difference between this estimate and the original estimate. While the death toll is at the six figures, the number of those displaced is in the seven figures. Perhaps the number of those displaced will be at a higher number due to these recent estimates.
But, the estimate was criticized by Abdalmahmoud Abdalhaleem, Sudan’s UN Ambassador. Abdalhaleem said that the numbers were an exaggeration. He said that the numbers the UN has given out has no scientific bearing. However, UN Under-Secretary General John Holmes said that 300,000 was a reasonable estimate. He said that the figure must be much higher right now as it is 2008. The 200,000 figure was given from a 2006 study.
But, Abdalhaleem said that Holmes’ explanation neither helps nor gives credibility. He is given the indication that he wants Holmes to come forward with the details on how this new estimate was made. However, Holmes insisted that the death toll is at least 300,000. But, Holmes suggested that the death toll could be higher. Holmes held back because he was trying to be conservative and reasonable.
Sudan is awaiting the rest of the anticipated 26,000 strong UN-AU peacekeeping force.
Asides Tibet and China’s record of human rights violations, the issue of Darfur is another thing that looms over China in what could become a PR nightmare as it is due to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.
During the CNN Democratic Debates back in 2007, New Mexico Governor and former Democratic hopeful Bill Richardson explained that China is Sudan’s number one buyer of oil. He gave the suggestion that the United States threaten to boycott the Olympics to pressure China to do more to end the violence.
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg resigned from his post as a creative adviser to the Olympic Games in Beijing. During his resignation speech, Spielberg cited Darfur.
Before going on his Africa trip, US President George W. Bush said that the US would not boycott the Olympics. He said that he would remind Chinese President Hu Jintao that there is more that can be done.