peacekeepers resign

June 27, 2008

        According to reports released on June 27, 2008, Jan Eliasson, current leader of the UN’s peace efforts in Sudan, and Salim Ahmed Salim, his African Union counterpart will be standing down from their positions in order to make way for a new set of negotiators. According to Eliasson, the mission in Darfur is in a dire state, the United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force has been failing in its attempts to control the violence. While it is true that they are understaffed and under supported, even this seems to make little difference at this point as neither side is ready or willing to sit down together and make the necessary compromises for peace. One of the biggest problems faced by peacekeepers is the fragmentation of rebel groups. Eliasson had been hopeful last year when representatives from eight groups came together to settle on a common position. Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy has been, for all obvious reasons, distressed by the lack of progress with the situation in Darfur. We have the most sincere hope that strength will be renewed with the coming of new peacekeepers with fresh ideas and rejuvenated motivation. We encourage the public to offer their support to these new peacekeepers in order to provide them with all the resources they might need to bring peace and stability to the region.