Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Update: UNAMID expectations wavering

Brede Eschilman

On the ground:  Leaders of JEM (Justice and Equality Movement) have announced that they will not release the five kidnapped oil workers until troops from the UN arrive in Darfur.  Initially, they had used the kidnapping to ask China to stop investing in the Sudanese government.

Diplomatically:  General Martin L. Agwai, commander of the hybrid AU-UN force known as UNAMID to enter Darfur, shared his expectations of the force in an interview.  He told AllAfrica that he expects less than half the planned number of troop to actually deploy by the end of the year and stresses the need for military helicopters, which no countries have pledged yet.

South African president Thabo Mbeki, after meeting with Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, has announced greater South African support for the UNAMID joint peacekeeping force, primarily in providing supplies after gauging the commitment level of other African countries.

Individuals: Patrick McGrann, working for the United Nations Commisioner for Refugees and SOS Children’s Villages, will sponsor a Darfur Kite Festival to teach children in Darfur, specifically in Oure Cassoni refugee camp, to make and fly camps.  His goal is to reclaim the skies from bombers and create a sense of optimism.