On July 31, 2007, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the creation of an African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) hybrid peacekeeping force of 26,000 peacekeepers for the Darfur region of Sudan. The force, known as the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), is scheduled to be deployed no later than December 31, 2007.
Peace Process Moves Forward
Shortly after the deployment of the peacekeeping force was announced, peace talks were conducted August 3-5, 2007 in Arusha, Tanzania among various rebel groups operating in the Darfur area. However, one of the primary groups, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) was not represented at the meeting. Despite the absence of all interested groupings, on August 6, 2007, the rebel groups announced they had reached an agreement on a common platform for negotiating with the National Congress Party (NCP) in Khartoum. It was further agreed that any groups absent from the meetings would be able to take part in future negotiations with the Sudanese government.
Previously the government has repeatedly attempted to divide the various rebel groups to prevent any unity that could lead to a more effective defense, as well as more effective diplomacy. This tactic was used in Southern Sudan during the 21-year war fought between Khartoum and the people of Southern Sudan. With a common platform agreed upon, the groups have announced they are seeking to conduct peace talks with Khartoum within two to three months.
Shortcomings of the Peacekeeping Forces
The UNAMID forces have authorization to protect civilians from attacks by the Janjaweed, including rape and other tactics used that constitute war crimes. However, in order to pass the resolution with China voting in favor of it, the resolution was watered down.
An early draft had called for the disarming of Janjaweed operating in the Darfur area. Despite the weaker version of the resolution, newly elected British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy along with the United States have threatened the Khartoum government with strong sanctions if they impede the deployment of the peace keeping force.
Future Concerns
The deployment of 26,000 UN-approved peacekeepers will be the largest peacekeeping force in the world. While the resolution approving the force has been tempered, the deployment of UN forces will still likely improve the situation in Darfur.
However, we remain concerned about the possibility that the government-backed janjaweed militias could attack the UN forces. We are also concerned that Khartoum will continue its past history of delaying international efforts to improve the situation in Darfur.
While the deployment of the peacekeepers is an important development for the situation in Darfur, we believe that a lasting peace is possible only through a peace process. The recent agreements between the various rebel groups is another positive development. With a united platform, the rebels will be much more effective in negotiating with Khartoum.
However, based on past actions by the government in Khartoum, we expect the Sudanese government to delay the peace process and continue its attempts to divide the rebel groups. Therefore, in the near-term we expect current levels of violence to persist until the AU/UN hybrid force is deployed and peace talks are furthered.
