FOLLOW THE UNAMID ‘TRAIL OF DELAYS’

Save Darfur document outlines the slow-drip process of deploying UNAMID peacekeepers

WASHINGTON - In the last two weeks, 8 peacekeepers have been killed in Darfur. Commenting on the loss of 5 Rwandan soldiers, Rwanda Defense Force spokesman Jill Rutaremara said:

"I imagine if UNAMID had better equipment, for instance, if they had attack helicopters, if they had surveillance aircraft and other logistical support, and if their number was 26,000, as it was planned, I'm sure the situation would not be the same on the ground."

These comments underscore the relationship between the unacceptably slow deployment of UNAMID, and the dangerous situation on the ground in Darfur today. UNAMID was supposed to add 17,000 additional troops to the 9,000 AMIS troops already on the ground. To date, less than 1,000 troops—or less than 6% of the total—have actually been added

But what is the story behind this unacceptably slow deployment? A review of published UN reports shows an embarrassingly inadequate effort so far:

• According to the most recent UN report, “the only deployment to be completed since the transfer of authority (from AMIS to UNAMID) has been the Egyptian Signals Company, which deployed in May 2008.”

• Since that report, a Chinese engineering unit composed of 315 individuals has also deployed after months of waiting for their equipment to arrive in Darfur. The Chinese Engineering Company’s equipment was originally scheduled to arrive in Nyala by the end of December 2007. The deadline was pushed back to April, and the equipment finally arrived just before the July 7 Secretary General’s Report.

• The Egyptian Engineering Company’s deployment was delayed 4 times from mid-February to July 2008 and is now delayed indefinitely until damaged equipment is repaired.

• The Egyptian Transport Unit was delayed 5 times from mid-February to late August 2008, and the Bangladeshi Logistics Company was also delayed to August. The original deadline was late March 2008.

• The first Ethiopian battalion – approximately 800 troops originally scheduled to be fully deployed by 15 May 2008 –is now slated for deployment “before October.”

This is simply unacceptable. The people of Darfur desperately need a comprehensive and rapid deployment. Although UNAMID provides the framework for an appropriate response, a robust mandate is not enough. UNAMID needs supplies, equipment, police, hospitals, and military support now - not tomorrow, if it is to satisfactorily fulfill its mandate.

Both the UN and the Government of Sudan bear responsibility for these delays. UNAMID needs political support from UN member states to overcome hurdles erected by the Government of Sudan. Once this support is granted, change will come at a more rapid pace; deadlines will come closer to being met; lives will be saved; and Darfur will move one step closer to peace.

The complete document is available on our blog at http://blogfordarfur.org/2008/07/23/trail-of-delays/