Canadian Consortium on Human Security

Local Context

Darfur’s Sudan Problem

Gérard Prunier

openDemocracy (09/2006)

Synopsis: Outlines how Sudan’s complex history and factious internal relations will complicate efforts to solve the crisis in Darfur.

The Failed States Index 2007

Foreign Policy (08/2007)

Synopsis: In its annual index of state instability Sudan tops the rankings, in part because of the spillover effects of the conflict in Darfur.

Sudan: State Fragility or Regime Fragility

David Ambrosetti

Synopsis: Discusses the Sudanese government in the context of failing and fragile states: “If the Sudanese state is fragile as a nation-state, it is because of the Sudanese regimes’ unwillingness to organize a peaceful share of power and wealth on the basis of accepted rules of citizenship at a national scale. But it is by no means in its ability to keep on mobilizing resources and ruling a large part of the country, even in a situation of multiple-civil wars.”

Divided They Fall: The Fragmentation of Darfur’s Rebel Groups

Victor Tanner and Jérôme Tubiana

Small Arms Survey, HSBA Working Paper 6, 07/2007

Synopsis: Outlines the history and implications of the fragmentation of Darfur’s rebel groups.

Who's who in the war and peace talks

Africa Confidential (08/2007)

Synopsis: Outlines major players in the ongoing peace talks.

Darfur, Saving Itself

Julie Flint

Washington Post (06/2007)

Synopsis: Describes the complexity of the local context of the conflict and argues that Darfurians are “saving themselves,” with or without the aid of the international community.

Peace by piece: addressing Sudan’s conflicts

Issue editors Mark Simmons and Peter Dixon

Conciliation Resources (2006)

Synopsis: A series of articles addressing major Sudanese peace processes and agreements.

Sudan: Unresolved North-South Conflict Risks New Crisis Beyond Darfur

Simon Roughneen

World Politics Review (06/2007)

Synopsis: Examines the relationship between the conflict in Darfur and the future of the fragile North-South peace agreement signed in 2005.

Role of the United States

Has intelligence impacted U.S.’s Darfur Stance?

Ann Curry

NBC News (03/2007)

Synopsis: Provides differing perspectives on the extent to which U.S. intelligence cooperation with Sudan has affected American efforts to solve the Darfur crisis.

US declares sanctions against Khartoum

Suzanne Goldenberg

The Guardian (05/2007)

Synopsis: Outlines the motives behind additional US sanctions imposed against Sudan in May 2007.

Role of China

Explanation of Vote on Security Council Resolution on Darfur, Sudan by Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Ambassador Wang Guangya

Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations (07/2007)

Synopsis: Offers an explanation for China’s vote to authorize Resolution 1769.

Arms, Oil and Darfur: The evolution of relations between China and Sudan

Small Arms Survey

Human Security Baseline Assesment, Sudan Issue Brief #7 (07/2007)

Synopsis: A survey of available public information on China-Sudan relations, with emphasis on the arms trade, the oil economy and the conflict in Darfur.

Is China Good for Africa? Lessons from Sudan

Christian Science Monitor (06/2007)

Synopsis: A special series focusing on the dynamics of the relationship between China and Sudan.

Darfur Crisis Sparks Louder Call for 2008 Olympics Boycott

Darren Taylor

Voice of America News (06/2007)

Synopsis: A five-part series examining the dynamics and impact of the call for a possible international boycott of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing over China’s support of the Government of Sudan.

Why China Won’t Save Darfur

Morton Abramowitz and Jonathan Kolieb

Foreign Policy (06/2007)

Synopsis: Argues that pressuring “an indifferent Beijing” helps Western governments “evade responsibility for a humanitarian crisis that they could do far more to stop.”

Sudan Activities

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China

Synopsis: Official account of Chinese government activities in Sudan.

Role of the United Nations

Security Council authorizes deployment of hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force in Darfur

UN News Centre

Synopsis: Provides details of the newly-authorized deployment of an AU-UN peacekeeping force for Darfur.

Darfur: No time to take the pressure off

The Economist (08/2007)

Synopsis: A brief overview of the implications of the July 31st UN resolution authorizing the deployment of up to 26,000 troops and police in Darfur. Contents that though this development is welcome, the real difficulties lie in putting this resolution into practice.

Interview – UN gave in to Khartoum on Darfur resolution - Pronk

Reuters Alertnet (08/2007)

Synopsis: Describes the content of an interview with Jan Pronk, former head of the U.N.’s Sudan mission. Pronk contends that though the resolution is “better… than not doing anything,” he believes that the UN “gave in” to the Sudanese Government, allowing it to alter and water-down the recent deployment agreement.

Darfur/Sudan

Security Council Report

Synopsis: Report of United Nations Security Council activities related to Darfur/Sudan.

United Nations Mission in Sudan

Synopsis: Official website of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), mandated to monitor and support the implementation of the North-South CPA and provide political and logistical support to the African Union Mission in Darfur (AMIS).

Role of Canada

Afghanistan, Darfur and the Great (Unexpected) Debate Over Canada’s Military Role in the World

David Rudd

Policy Options (06/2006)

Synopsis: Discusses the feasibility of a Canadian contribution to a U.N. mission in Darfur. Argues that Canada’s army is overstretched by the mission in Afghanistan, but Canada’s tactical helicopter fleet could provide support to a future mission.

Darfur and Afghanistan: Canada’s Choices in Deploying Military Forces

Ambassador David S. Wright

Munk Centre for International Affairs Briefing (09/2006)

Synopsis: Argues that Canada can and should engage in Darfur, but “we would need real engagement by other serious allies… This is not an issue of resources for us. It is an issue of political will on the part of all democratic countries.”

Canada Should Lead in Darfur: ‘Responsibility to Protect’ More Than a Slogan

David Mozersky and Allan Rock

Published in Toronto Star, available from International Crisis Group (10/2006)

Synopsis: Argues that as a “principle architect and advocate of the ‘responsibility to protect’ doctrine,” Canada should “play a key role in galvanizing international action;” outlines five steps for Parliament to take in order to begin to do so.

History will judge Canada, not Sudan, on the fate of Darfur

Roméo Dallaire

Published in The Globe and Mail, available from SaveDarfur (09/2006)

Synopsis: In an op-ed piece for the Globe and Mail, Retired Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire argues that Canada should be doing more about Darfur.

The Responsibility to Protect: Moving the Agenda Forward

Maria Banda

United Nations Association in Canada (03/2007)

Synopsis: On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the deployment of the first UN peacekeeping mission, describes the next steps in the putting the R2P agenda into action. Includes commentary on Canada’s role and on the current situation in Darfur.

Canada: active in Sudan

Government of Canada

Synopsis: An overview of Canadian government contributions to diplomatic, humanitarian and peace operations activities in Sudan.

Next page - Human Security News and Publications