CANADA SUPPORTING PEACEKEEPING IN DARFUR: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE Canada has a long-standing record of support to peace operations worldwide in or-der 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.

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 as-sist with command and control, air movements planning, and the training of police and military observers.

Canada also loaned 105 armoured vehicles, provided training and mainte-nance 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

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 peacekeep-ing 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 along-side African Union troops in Darfur, as well as civilian police who seek to pro-mote the rule of law and protect civilians.

 

Canadian Forces “Husky” armoured recovery vehicle arriving in Sudan.

A Canadian instructor trains an African Union soldier to drive the “Grizzly” general purpose armoured vehicle.

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, mili-tary and Formed Police Units (FPUs) to UNAMID. Canada provides essential training to prepare personnel and units to face the challenges of such a mis-sion. 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.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by the hybrid mission, Canada co-chairs 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.

 

 

One of the Mil MI-8 helicopters used by AMIS.

A GILA-armoured vehicle being assembled.