Magic For Darfur

MitchellStafiej · CEO Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 116 Location: Montreal, Qc

Taken from www.SaveDarfur.org

On December 31, the long-awaited hybrid United Nations-African Union mission officially took control of the peacekeeping operation in Darfur. But the transition from African Union peacekeepers to this new hybrid mission was largely ceremonial. The people of Darfur are still waiting for the promised protection of the U.N. after nearly five years of death, displacement, rape and broken promises.
What is UNAMID?

* In July 2007, the United Nations Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, passed Resolution 1769, which authorized the U.N.-A.U. Mission in Darfur, known as UNAMID.
* UNAMID was authorized to consist of up to 19,555 military personnel, including 360 military observers; and up to 6,432 police personnel. If fully deployed, there would be approximately 26,000 uniformed troops in Darfur.
* UNAMID is the first-ever “hybrid” mission between the U.N. and A.U. Troops will be predominantly African, with contributions from other countries if African nations are unable to meet the force requirements.
* If it reaches full strength, UNAMID would be the largest U.N. mission ever, estimated to cost roughly $2.6 billion a year, in addition to start-up costs. U.N. member states will fund the mission through the U.N. assessment scale.
* The United States is expected to contribute 27 percent of the mission’s costs.

Why UNAMID is Failing

* 9,000 peacekeepers are currently in Darfur – a third of the total force promised. Of those 9,000 peacekeepers, 7,000 were already in Darfur as part of the beleaguered African Union force.
* Approximately 1,800 new soldiers have deployed, including a battalion each from both Rwanda and Nigeria.
* Additional support units deployed include a 140-member police unit from Bangladesh and 200-member Chinese engineering unit.
* The Sudanese military attacked UNAMID less than two weeks after its inauguration. UNAMID was unable to defend itself or respond.
* The Sudanese government is obstructing deployment in four ways: refusing to approve the troop composition list provided by the U.N. and A.U., refusing to approve the status of forces agreement, restricting troop movements and communications and refusing to provide land for bases.
* U.N. member countries have not contributed equipment, including dozens of heavy trucks and 24 helicopters.

What Must Be Done

* The United States should work with France, the United Kingdom, China and other countries to create a united diplomatic front to demand Sudan’s immediate compliance with UNAMID deployment.
* The Security Council should impose targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for obstructions to UNAMID, including Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
* U.N. member states should immediately contribute the equipment necessary for UNAMID.
* The United States, France and the United Kingdom should lead an effort at the Security Council to convene an emergency session to address Sudan and the international community’s failures.
* The United States should further strengthen its targeted sanctions on the Sudanese regime.
* The United States should offer to help pay for the member states that are contributing the helicopters and other necessary equipment if the cost of the equipment is a barrier.

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