CANADA SUPPORTING PEACEKEEPING
IN DARFUR: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
Canada has a long-standing record of support to peace operations worldwide in order to assist in bringing security and stability to conflict and post-conflict situations,
and helping to lay the ground work for reconstruction and development. One of
Canada’s ongoing contributions is the significant support provided to African Union
peacekeeping efforts in Darfur.
AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SUDAN
After the conflict arose in Sudan’s Darfur region in 2003, the African Union
took the lead in the peace process and in deploying personnel to monitor the
situation. The African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) was established in July
2004 with a mandate to monitor the ceasefire and provide security to civilians
in the region.
Canadian Forces “Husky” armoured recovery vehicle arriving
in Sudan.
From the outset, Canada was one of the key financial contributors to AMIS.
Most of the funds provided were used to contract helicopters and fuel support
for use by AMIS, which have been described as the backbone of the mission.
Canada also helped provide equipment and much-needed technical assistance
through the deployment of military personnel and civilian police officers to assist with command and control, air movements planning, and the training of
police and military observers.
Canada also loaned 105 armoured vehicles, provided training and maintenance assistance, and personal protective equipment in support of AMIS. The
100 “Grizzly” general purpose armoured vehicles and five “Husky” armoured
recovery vehicles were used by AMIS troops from Nigeria, Rwanda and Senegal.
AFRICAN UNION-UNITED NATIONS HYBRID
OPERATION IN DARFUR
A Canadian instructor trains an African Union soldier to drive
the “Grizzly” general purpose armoured vehicle.
Established in 2007, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid operation in
Darfur (UNAMID) assumed responsibility for peacekeeping operations in
Darfur from AMIS on January 1, 2008. UNAMID is the largest peacekeeping force in UN history and the first UN-AU hybrid mission. With a view to
burden sharing, Canada is bolstering African capacity to contribute to peace
and security in both Sudan and South Sudan. Close to 50 nations contribute
military, police and civilian peacekeepers to this mission.
Canada continued to provide air support during the transition period from
AMIS to UNAMID.
Canada continued to provide air support during the transition period from
AMIS to UNAMID. Canada deploys Canadian Forces personnel serving alongside African Union troops in Darfur, as well as civilian police who seek to promote the rule of law and protect civilians.
TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT SUPPORT
FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES DEPLOYING MILITARY
AND POLICE TO UNAMID
In addition to assessed contributions provided to the United Nations to finance
international peacekeeping operations, Canada provides, on a voluntary basis,
training and equipment for African countries deploying civilian police, military and Formed Police Units (FPUs) to UNAMID. Canada provides essential
training to prepare personnel and units to face the challenges of such a mission. Part of this training was conducted in 2008 by the Pearson Peacekeeping
Centre, a Canadian organization, which conducts specialized courses such as
Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Investigation, Staff Skills Enhancement
and Logistics Training. In addition, Canada provides GILA-armoured vehicles
as well as non-armoured equipment to African FPUs from Senegal and Burkina
Faso deploying to UNAMID.
A GILA-armoured vehicle being assembled.
One of the Mil MI-8 helicopters used by AMIS.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by the hybrid mission, Canada cochairs the “Friends of UNAMID” group along with the United States. Since
2006,
Canada has provided $255 million in voluntary support for peacekeeping
in Sudan, over and above its assessed contributions.