One of the most needed missions in Darfur, Sudan could come to an end if the the join African Union-UN peacekeeping force are provided with some 24 helicopters and a fleet of lorries.
Jean Marie Guehenno, head of the UN Peacekeeping Operations has said that six attack helicopters and 18 transport helicopters are needed to perform the mission’s duties effectively.
Guehenno worries that the mission will not be able to “robustly carry out its mandate” without these transportation support.
Amidst so much talk about deploying fresh troops in thousands of numbers by the end of this year, now the UN officials have warned that the joint peacekeeping forces are not prepared to takeover in Darfur.
On the other hand, Sudan continues to object using outside peacekeeping forces. The inclusion of peacekeepers from Norway, Nepal and Thailand has added to their unhappiness. In August, AU Commission Chairman Oumar Konare had said that there was no need for outside infantry because the African nations had pledged enough.
Peace on this side of Africa does not seem will come so easily. However, utmost efforts are yet to be made.
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