African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS)

As part of the N'Djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement, the AU's Peace and Security Council was called upon to monitor the ceasefire brokered between rebel groups and the Sudanese government in April 2004. AU forces were first deployed to Darfur in October 2004.  As both rebel and government parties began to violate the ceasefire, the AU decided to strengthen its unarmed observers with troops and police.  The African Union also assisted with negotiations of the Darfur Peace Agreement in Nairobi in May 2006.

Currently, the African Union has about 7,700 personnel deployed in Darfur to oversee the ceasefire and protect the monitoring force on the ground. The mandate of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) does not extend to the protection of civilians whose lives are in constant danger; AU troops can only protect civilians from imminent threats during accidental "encounters.” At first, AU troops engaged in "preventive deployments" and established a presence at locations of expected attacks.  Today, AU soldiers conduct investigative and escort patrols to aid humanitarian work and help facilitation conflict resolution within the refugee campus.  The deteriorating security situation in Darfur has left both Darfurians and AU soldiers vulnerable to attacks by the Janjaweed and other violent actions sanctioned by the Sudanese government. Several AU soldiers have been killed as a result of the violence and attacks in Darfur.

In September 2006, the AU Peace and Security Council decided to extend AMIS’ mandate through  December 31, 2006, and increase its  number of forces on the ground to over 10,000. The U.N. and Arab states have agreed to contribute more funding, logistical and technical support to the already cash-strapped and stretched resources of the AU mission.

Citizens for Global Solutions and other foreign policy leaders recommend that the African Union forces be incorporated into a U.N. peacekeeping force as soon as possible.

+ DARFUR RESOURCE CENTER
 

Updated October 2, 2006