Sudan’s UN Peacekeeping Force: A Solution to the Country’s Crisis?

The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan’s recent recommendation to send a peacekeeping force to protect civilians in areas of explosive conflict between the army and “rapid support” forces has sparked a major divide within Sudanese society.

Supporters believe the move will end violations against thousands of civilians and improve human security and food conditions, thereby ending a war that has killed tens of thousands of people. However, detractors argue that it is merely a pressure card to force the Sudanese government to return to the Saudi-mediated-US-sponsored Geneva talks.

Security Threat

Shihab Ibrahim al-Tayeb, the official spokesman of Sudan’s National Alliance Party, stated that the recommendations presented by the Fact-Finding Mission on the Sudan War confirm two important points. Firstly, the warring parties have committed heinous crimes that amount to war crimes. Secondly, the warring parties are unable to protect civilians, either through lack of will or lack of control over ground forces.

Al-Tayeb emphasized that the UN recommendation constitutes a considerable pressure factor for both warring parties, and that the Islamic movement must be classified as a terrorist group due to its clear influence on the military’s decisions and its call to continue the war.

A Formal Existence

Major General Motassem Abdel Kader, a researcher on military and political affairs, stated that the United Nations cannot intervene in a country unless the existing authorities in that country agree to form forces with powers of military action under Chapter VII.

Abdel Kader emphasized that the current situation indicates the difficulty of the arrival of such forces in Sudan, and that the presence of international forces in areas controlled by rebel forces will expose them to the same looting, killings, and robberies that UNAMID forces did in Darfur.

Complex Situation

International law expert Ahmed Al-Mufti explained that the issue of arms embargo and the sending of peacekeeping forces to Sudan is only within the jurisdiction of the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the chapter.

Al-Mufti emphasized that the failure of the UN mission would be certain due to the current military situation being extremely complex, with the size of the forces participating in the war numbering in the thousands and spread over many regions.

One of the war-torn Sudanese refugee camps (Reuters)

War Crimes

The UN fact-finding mission in Sudan indicated that both sides of the conflict committed large-scale violations that could be considered war crimes or crimes against humanity.

The mission’s 19-page report, based on 182 interviews with survivors, their families, and witnesses, said Sudan’s army and rapid aid forces were responsible for attacks on civilians and torture and forced detention.