Security Council extends mandate of peace-keeping force Criticism of lacking effectiveness of UN Blue Helmet soldiers in Sudan

The Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV) has described the discussion in the Security Council on an extension of the mandate of the UNAMID peace-keeping force for the west of Sudan as „disappointingly lacking in substance”. „Instead of asking why the Blue Helmet mission provides so little help for the civilian population the Security Council contents itself with a simple extension of the mission for a third year”, criticised the GfbV Africa consultant, Ulrich Delius, on Friday in Göttingen. „What use is that to the 2.7 million refugees in Darfur?” The foreign soldiers are concerned first and foremost with protecting their own lives. Without transport helicopters and air reconnaissance they are not in a position to prevent new attacks on the civilian population. „Instead of providing the Blue Helmets at last with proper equipment the Security Council is appealing for the 25th time to the readiness of the conflict parties to make peace.” On Thursday evening the Security Council in New York extended the mandate of the UNAMID for a further year.

„The UNAMID mission has no more than an alibi function if the international community does not at last provide the urgently needed 24 helicopters”, said Delius. The UNAMID had for almost two years been appealing urgently for help, but nothing ever happens. The international community must not then be surprised if the effectiveness of the peace-keeping force leaves a lot to be desired.

It is a disastrous fact that the joint peace force of the United Nations and the African Union two full years after the decision of the Security Council is still not properly fit for action. There are still 8,000 soldiers and policemen missing to make up the number of 26,000, which have been planned and are required.

„The Security Council has not mentioned with a single word the fact that the Sudanese authorities are now hindering more than ever the work of the UNAMID”, criticised Delius. Sudanese UNAMID workers have even been arrested and tortured. This is all the more scandalous in view of the fact that their inclusion in the force had been agreed with the authorities. The freedom of movement of the international soldiers is being progressively curtailed and hundreds of visas for UNAMID personnel have still not been granted.

Since February 2003 approximately 3,300 villages of the black African population have been destroyed by the Janjaweed militia and the Sudanese army. It is estimated that about 400,000 people have been victims of the genocide.

Ulrich Delius can also be reached at u.delius@gfbv.de