Sanctions Approved in Darfur Genocide

Too little too late, but it is still better than nothing. It's a win for US Ambassador John Bolton who has been pushing for action on the Darfur genocide since he took the post. Russia and China finally relented and chose not to veto the move.

China and Russia had initially opposed the sanctions but in the end chose to abstain instead of casting vetoes that would have killed the sanctions. Qatar also abstained, saying it did not see enough evidence that the four men were involved.

The four men who face sanctions are accused of helping orchestrate and carry out killings, rape and other rights abuses in Darfur. The conflict between rebels and government-backed militias has caused about 180,000 deaths -- most from disease and hunger -- and displaced 2 million people.

"This resolution demonstrates that the Security Council is serious in its efforts to restore peace and security in the region," U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said. "We regret that the vote today was not unanimous but we do not think it will deter the Security Council from fulfilling its responsibility."

The sanctions are the first imposed by the U.N. Security Council since it adopted a resolution in March 2005 authorizing an asset freeze and travel ban on individuals who defy peace efforts, violate international human rights law, or are responsible for military overflights in Darfur.