The UN Security Council Approves New Peacekeeping Force in Sudan

News from Refugees International, (http://www.refugeesinternational.org/):

The UN Security Council Approves New Peacekeeping Force in Sudan

This past week marked a significant step for peace in the Darfur region of Sudan. The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved the use of 26,000 peacekeeping troops for the Darfur conflict. The new force will supplement the current 7,000 AU troops sometime later this year. Resolution 1769 calls for “early and effective implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement” and authorizes the force to “prevent the disruption of its implementation and armed attacks, and thus to protect civilians, without prejudice to the responsibility of the government of Sudan.” Refugees International is calling on the United States to use its influence and resources to ensure this mission is successful by continuing to pressure the Sudanese to abide by and fully support the terms of the agreement. Refugees International Peacekeeping Officer, Mark Malan, cautioned that the effectiveness of the force will depend on how the force commander and his troops “will face the challenge of responding to threats in a hostile environment where there has been little peace and safety for more than four years.”

• Click here for Mark’s testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs about the new U.S. Africa Command
• Read RI's recommendations for the new peacekeeping force for Darfur