U.N. RESOLUTION CALLS FOR PEACEKEEPING TROOPS

The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1706 on August 31, 2006 in response to growing threats to security in the Darfur region of Sudan. As the ninth Security Council resolution passed on the matter, 1706 is critical to the situation in Darfur due to its strong provision of more than 20,000 UN peacekeepers on the ground to protect civilians. The current African Union monitoring mission on the ground, African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), would undergo a process of "re-hatting," in which remaining AU forces would be incorporated into the UN force.

Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the security of women, humanitarian aid and UN workers, and children in Darfur, Resolution 1706 builds upon past resolutions to expand the existing United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) mandate on the ground. In its opening remarks, the Security Council reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty and independence of the Sudan and its hope to work with the current Government of National Unity. The resolution also welcomes the contributions of the African Union to peace efforts by commending all involved in the Darfur Peace Agreement signed in May 2006 and showing support for the Darfur-Darfur dialogue.

The most critical and controversial language of Resolution 1706 expands UNMIS' mandate to deploy peacekeepers in Darfur and "invites the consent of the Government of National Unity for this deployment." In many ways, this language holds the Security Council hostage to the will of the Sudanese government as it continues to support genocidal actions in Darfur. Due to national interests, China, Russia, and Qatar abstained from voting on the Resolution, allowing its passage.

However, these delegations voted accordingly partly because of the ambiguous language of "consent." More forceful language is needed for the UN to deploy peacekeepers, especially as the situation in Darfur continues to show signs of deterioration and possible broader regional conflict. The Chinese in particular have presented the largest obstacle to persuading the Sudanese government to cooperate with the international community due to Chinese energy interests in the Sudan. Therefore, the language of "consent" makes the deployment of peacekeepers an issue of political will and not UN capacity.

The proposed UN peacekeeping force would include 17,300 military troops and 3,300 civilian police without changing the mandate of UNMIS established and outlined in Security Council Resolution 1590. The Security Council requested that the force have rapid deployment capabilities and calls upon the AU, UN Secretary General and the Sudanese government to consult on a plan and timetable for AU re-hatting into a UN force.

Resolution 1706 also decides that UNMIS will implement several provisions of the Darfur Peace Act (DPA) and the N'Djamena Agreement, including cooperation with the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation (DDDC). The Security Council also invokes Chapter VII in this resolution to authorize the expanded UNMIS mandate in its deployment of forces and capabilities to protect Darfurians, UN personnel, and implement the DPA.

Although Resolution 1706 is an important step towards peace in the Sudan, the language which invites Sudan's consent for UN peacekeepers leaves the international community a resolution with additional political hurdles to overcome. Until all member states can put enough diplomatic pressure on the Sudanese government to allow for UN peacekeepers in Darfur, Resolution 1706 will not be successful.

+ READ FULL SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1706
+ DARFUR RESOURCE CENTER

Updated September 28, 2006

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