In the year since the deployment of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, we have seen the force struggle to deploy and fulfill its mandate. It has faced obstructionist tactics by the Sudanese government, a lack of resource support from U.N. member states, and increased banditry in the region.
Even as the force struggled, it did not fall short of leaving an impact on the lives of Darfuri civilians. And we haven’t stopped calling for its full and effective deployment because we know how much greater that impact could be. For over a year, the Save Darfur Coalition, our international partners, and millions of concerned citizens worldwide have called on the international community to overcome barriers, muster political will, and effectively support civilian protection in Darfur.
Today, just over a year since UNAMID took over in Darfur, we saw the force take a proactive approach to saving civilians from attack. The U.N. News Centre reported that a UNAMID patrol was able to thwart an attempted abduction of six women who were collecting firewood outside the Hassa Hissa internally displaced persons camp in West Darfur.
This is just one example of UNAMID’s potential ability to provide desperately needed protection to Darfuri civilians. If fully equipped and empowered to fulfill its mandate, the force’s impact would increase exponentially.
At a moment when it might seem easier to declare UNAMID a failure in the face of downgraded deployment targets and a year’s worth of struggles, it is more important now than ever to keep pressing for a fully functional force.
Next month, you have an opportunity add your voice to this pressure and make a difference. Take a look at www.savedarfur.org/women today to see how people across the country are coming together on one night, with one voice to demand protection for the women of Darfur. You can host an event to spread the word and take action to make sure that stories like we have heard today are not few and far between, but rather, an everyday reality.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
