In the news the UNSC decided to terminate the mandate of the UNAMID) on 31 December 2020, withdrawing all uniformed and civilian personnel other than those needed for liquidation by 30 June 2021.
The UNSC urged the government of Sudan to protect civilians in Darfur in accordance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
It underscored the need to build local community confidence in the ability of rule-of-law institutions to deliver justice, ensure accountability and provide legal protection to vulnerable communities.
On the other hand the Sudanese government affirmed its keenness to provide security and stability to all Darfur citizens besides promoting the transitional justice and rule of law.
Obviously the UNAMID exit will have its negative impact on the considerable stability in Darfur unless rapid replacement occurred timely with its exit considering that the UNAMID pull out will leave a security vacuum which is supposed to be filled by the peace troops agreed on in Juba peace agreement.
According to the security arrangements of Juba peace agreement around 20 thousand joint troops to include the regular forces and the signatory armed struggle movements are supposed to be deployed to replace UNAMID troops, but this seems to be difficultdue to the lack of funds and the expected delay in implementing the security arrangements on the ground.
As the UNMID exit is inching, it is very crucial to find out an emergency plan to fill the vacuum following its pull out until the implementation of the security arrangements of Juba Peace Agreement.
We believe that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with its trained, well equipped and disciplined troops, besides its experience in resolving the tribal conflicts and protecting the citizens could be the appropriate replacement to UNAMID troops.
It is good that the commandment of the RSF organized several training sessions and workshops to prepare its troops for the mission including humanitarian law and human rights issues.
We urge the government to take advantage of the RSF troops to fill the vacuum of UNAMID exit, at least till the completion of the security arrangements stipulated in Juba peace agreement and the formation of the joint peace forces.
