No UN Darfur Mission Before Jan 2007

Posted on June 13, 2006
Filed Under General Thoughts |

A top UN official just announced that UN troops will not be deployed in Darfur anytime before Jan 2007. The reason is because the rainy season runs from May to September in Darfur, making dirt track roads virtually impassable and deployment difficult. I find it to be such a funny reason especially since people have been traveling up and down to convince the Sudanese government on approving the troops. As usual, the Sudanese government is still continuing with its refusal.

Khartoum paints a picture of a Western invasion attracting jihadi militants. Al Qaeda deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri criticised the government as “spineless” for even allowing the assessment mission in.

Analysts say the government is worried that U.N. troops would be used to arrest officials and government-allied militia leaders likely to be indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), investigating alleged war crimes.

I find the first scenario troubling but I would love to see the second one happening. By the way incase you didn’t know, the opposition is so strong because the UN is pressing for troops coming into Darfur under chapter 7 which will give them the authority to engage in battle. It is very difficult to predict what exactly will happen. I don’t think UN troops will be able to bring stability in the region and in fact I think the opposite will happen. It’s bad enough the Darfuris are hostile towards AU peacekeepers who have been accused of raping women in Darfur recently. Imagine how the situation could turn out with non-African troops being deployed under chapter 7. Cultural sensitivities and the tribal mentality of the people of Darfur must be taken to account before making any major decisions regarding UN troops deployment.

Comments

One Response to “No UN Darfur Mission Before Jan 2007”

  1. Tsedek on June 14th, 2006 4:53 pm

    Drima, I hate to dissappoint you on the merits of the UN, but I, personally, don’t hold them very high. I actually think they’re a bunch of weaklings that give the “not at home” sign when things get a little dangerous for themselves….

    Tse.

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