UNSC proposal to replace Unamid during Sudan’s transition to democracy

The UN Security Council is considering a new peace-building mission that could replace the current UN-AU peacekeeping mission Unamid. The mandate of the new mission would be to assist Sudan to prepare for democratic elections, and to compile a new constitution. The proposal follows a request in January by the transitional government for such a mission.

The draft resolution seen by Radio Dabanga this week, suggests that as early as May 1, the current Unamid mission that came into existence in 2007 could be disbanded. The primary mandate of Unamid, that of protection of civilians, would be transferred to the Sudan’s interim government.

Form May 1, a new “a political, peace support and peace-building mission,” entitled United Nations Political and Peacebuilding Integrated Mission in Sudan (UNPPIMS) would be set up for an initial period of one year.

It would deploy 2,500 police officers and a battalion of a rapid reaction force (between 500 and 800 personnel).

The current Unamid mission deploys more than 4,300 soldiers, 2,100 police officers, and around 1,500 civilian employees.

Unamid drawdown

As reported by Radio Dabanga in February, Sudan’s transitional government has asked the UN Security Council to establish a Special Political Mission/Peace Support Operation to assist in the peace process and help Sudan to mobilise international financial assistance.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres dated January 27, signed by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, and seen by Radio Dabanga, deals with political developments in Sudan and the government’s position on what might occur following the scheduled drawdown of the Unamid Darfur peacekeeping mission.

The Sudanese government “requests the United Nations to seek a Security Council mandate to establish, as soon as possible, a Chapter VI peace support operation in the form of a special political mission with a strong peacebuilding component,” he wrote in a letter seen by Radio Dabanga.

Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter stipulates that the international assistance aims to support the maintenance, monitoring, and building of peace, but not the use of force to prevent violent conflict as it is the case of Chapter VII.

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