Protection of civilians in African peace missions: The case of the African Union Mission in Sudan, Darfur

This paper discusses various aspects of the African Mission in Darfur, and how these affect civilian protection in the embattled region of the Sudan.

This paper discusses various aspects of the African Mission in Darfur (AMIS), and how these affect civilian protection in the embattled region of the Sudan. It spotlights the politics involved in its deployment and functioning, as well as specific operational dynamics on the ground. By examining these and other elements, the paper concludes that AMIS, as currently constituted and mandated, is severely handicapped and thus largely unable to protect civilians in the face of continuing atrocities in the embattled region. The paper further examines the challenges to the proposed UN force, and the prospects of a hybrid force involving the AU and UN.

About the author

Peter Kagwanja is an African Fellow and Director of the Democracy and Governance Programme at the Human Sciences Research Council (Pretoria), President of the Nairobi-based Africa Policy Institute (API), and Senior Associate at the Centre for International Political Studies (CIPS), University of Pretoria.

Patrick Mutahi is a Senior Researcher and Director of the Eastern and Horn of Africa Project of the Africa Policy Institute (Nairobi, Kenya).