UN Peacekeepers in Darfur

A lot of banter, a few unsuccessful attempts, diplomatic pandering and lot of patience and hard work later....we have an authorization from the UN Security Council to send peacekeepers into Darfur. UNAMID is born as a "hybrid operation."

A combination of an escalated version of the current African Union (AU) troops currently stationed there and additional peacekeepers supplied from countries as varied as France and Indoneisa, UNAMID will end up at a total of 26,000 military and police personnel. The protection of civilians in Sudan is paramount to the effort.

“By authorizing the deployment of a hybrid operation in Darfur, you are sending a clear and powerful signal of your commitment to improve the lives of the people of the region, and close this tragic chapter in Sudan’s history,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

Some problems to point out with this wonderful piece. UNA-USA President Bill Luers pointed out to the advocacy committee today of the logistical problems associated with redistributing 26,000 troops into a region and having the outfit become operational. The cost may be much more than expected and since the US has staunchly stood behind the notion of a UN Peacekeeping force in Sudan, we must be prepared to help foot the bill. An additional issue mentioned by UNA-USA Co-Chairman of the board, Bill McDonough, the length of time that it will take the troops to get there en masse, will probably be used by the Janjaweed and other rebels to "kill off" the victimized civilians faster.

The UN must tread lightly and move quickly. Efficiency is key to save as many lives as possible. The additional damage caused by the recent flooding in southern and eastern areas in Sudan has created a state of emergency, above and beyond the humanitarian disaster and the UN is already beginning to deliver aid to the 1.5 million affected. The impacts of this natural disaster will likely last through the months ahead and the UN must be prepared to deal with this as they are trying to set up the largest peacekeeping operation in their 62 year history.

“We favor a UN mission [in Darfur] which has the quality of sustainability that comes from the whole UN peacekeeping system."
- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

"One thing is clear: Whatever external force is sent to Darfur can provide at best only temporary security to the people there. Only a political agreement among their leaders can secure their future and the return of 2 million of them to their homes."
- Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan