Declaration of bankruptcy: Security Council is planning to reduce the number of peacekeepers in western Sudan – despite new bombings!

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) criticizes the Security Council's plans to reduce the presence of UNAMID peacekeepers in western Sudan significantly. "Even five years after troops of the African Union and the United Nations were deployed, the civilian population in Darfur is still not safe," said the STP's Africa-consultant, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Tuesday. "If the Security Council is going to decide on a significant reduction of troops in July, this would be a declaration of bankruptcy regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflicts."

"Until today, UNAMID forces are obviously busy enough with protecting themselves – as they have not even managed to ensure safety at least in refugee camps. That is why it is totally absurd to think about reducing the troops yet," said Delius. In the last few months, the number of rapes on women has increased significantly in the vicinity of the camps. "The UNAMID should ensure the protection of the civilian population and not try to carry out development projects or take care of the peace process. Without security there will be no sustainable development." There are currently about 17,360 soldiers, 591 military observers and just over 5,500 police officers stationed in Darfur as UNAMID-personnel. The police forces are supposed to ensure safety – but instead, violence and crime are escalating.

Until today, UNAMID could not persuade the Sudanese authorities to give them access to the fought over regions in order to record human rights violations. The Sudanese government even refused to allow the UN human rights expert on Sudan, Mashood Baderin Adebayo, to visit Darfur – but organized a propaganda-trip for journalists only a few days later. On June 23, the 13th Tripartite Coordination Mechanism Meeting on UNAMID took place in the town of El Fasher, during which the Sudanese government, the United Nations and the African Union held a debate on the future of UNAMID. For months, Sudan has been trying to achieve a reduction of the UNAMID troop contingent, arguing that peace has been restored. However, Sudanese Antonov-bombers flew new air raids against the villages of Kira-Kira, Sabri and Mashruh Abuzaid in northern Darfur only 24 hours after the meeting.