UN troop deployment in Sudan far below target

As the military and humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Sudan, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed concern over the slow deployment of troops with the UN peacekeeping mission currently underway in the politically troubled African nation. "The pace of the United Nations military deployment has increased but remains behind schedule, owing to delays in the force-generation process," Annan said in a report to the Security Council on Jan. 5. As of mid-December, the number of troops with the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) stood at only 4,291, or 40 percent of an expected total of some 9,880-10,000 troops. A total of 51 countries–including China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Rwanda, Nepal, Kenya and India–have so far contributed troops to UNMIS. According to current plans, the total number of military personnel deployed should exceed 7,000 by mid-February. "However, this is far below the foreseen requirement," Annan warned. He said the delayed mobilization of UN troops "raises serious concerns" as to whether the monitors will have the logistical and other support that is so critical to their effectiveness across the vast area of the cease-fire zone. The UN mission was established in March 2005 primarily to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which brought to a close a long-standing separatist war in southern Sudan. UNMIS also continues to work closely with the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS) that is monitoring the situation in Darfur, where violence and war crimes continue unabated. "In Darfur," Annan said, "security on the ground must urgently improve, and the search for a durable political peace, including a permanent cease-fire, must be intensified." He urged the government of Sudan and the rebel movements to work toward an early settlement in cooperation with AMIS. "Those who continue impeding the peaceful resolution of the conflict should know that they will be held accountable," Annan said. "Moreover, humanitarian relief must be increased and must be delivered unimpeded." In the final analysis, he argued, peace in the Sudan is indivisible "and cannot flourish in one part of the country if it is fledgling in another." The atrocities in Darfur–where over 300,000 people have been killed and more than 1.5 million displaced–have been committed by a marauding Arab militia called the Janjaweed. The Sudanese government has not only been accused of creating the militia but also turning a blind eye to its continued killings. The Security Council has already warned the government of Sudan it must help contain the widespread atrocities in Darfur province–or face possible economic and military sanctions by the United Nations. But the 15-member Council, which has been dragging its feet over the imposition of sanctions, has shifted its responsibility to the African Union (AU), asking the organization to strengthen its peacekeeping forces in Darfur. There is speculation in the corridors of the United Nations that veto-wielding permanent members such as Russia and China are reluctant to imposed sanctions on Sudan because of commercial and economic interests. In a statement issued on Jan. 5, the Washington-based Africa Action called on the United States to introduce a new Security Council resolution on Darfur. The proposed new resolution, which Africa Action said should be initiated during the US presidency of the Security Council in February, "must respond to the urgent need for an expanded security presence on the ground". This should be done by "re-hatting" the existing African Union operation as a UN mission with a robust mandate to protect civilians and humanitarian operations, and by authorizing a UN peacekeeping force to be deployed to the region as soon as possible. Ann-Louise Colgan, director of policy analysis and communications at Africa Action, said: "Next month, as president of the Security Council, the United States will have a unique opportunity to stop the genocide in Darfur by initiating UN action on this crisis." As civilians face increasing violence and deprivation in Darfur, and as humanitarian operations encounter constant threats, she said, a robust UN protection force is urgently needed in Darfur. "February is the make or break month for US action to stop the first genocide of the 21st century," Colgan said. She said the White House has already received more than 10,000 postcards from "people of conscience," urging the President George W. Bush to take action to stop the genocide. This week, she said, Darfur-related vigils are taking place each day in Washington to increase awareness of the ongoing crisis. Elsewhere around the country, a growing number of vigils, exhibits and religious services are highlighting the urgent need for civilian protection in Darfur, Colgan added.