The Role of the African Union and the United Nations Peacekeepers in Darfur (Sudan) In Protecting Women from Conflict Related Gender Based Violence Since 2004
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Date
2020-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research examines the role of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) and the subsequent UNAMID (African Union-United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur) in protecting women from gender-based violence during Darfur conflict. Primary and Secondary data were collected in conducting the research. The secondary data sources include books, journal articles, online newspaper, and magazine articles as well as research reports. Primary data was collected through key informant interviews. The study used qualitative methodology to analyze these data. The major finding of the study is that the AU mission had taken various protection initiatives to combat gender-based violence in Darfur conflict and was partly successful. The peacekeepers provided protection on certain days that they had an agreement and in localities where they maintained presence. However, how well the individual peacekeepers performed within their mandate and capabilities still needs further research. When UNAMID peacekeepers were latter deployed, they did not improve the security of women despite they were higher in numbers than AMIS and was able to cover large areas, because of government restrictions put on the operational activities of the mission following the ICC‘s arrest warrant for the then President, Omar al-Bashir. However, activities aimed at producing impact on the behaviour of combatants not to engage in attacking civilians and women in particular were important tasks performed by the mission, yet to what extent such activities brought behaviour change on the part of violators need further research.
Keywords: AMIS, UNAMID, Darfur conflict, ceasefire agreement, civilian protection mandate, Janjaweed, women, gender-based violence
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Keywords
AMIS, UNAMID, Darfur conflict, ceasefire agreement, civilian protection mandate, Janjaweed, women, gender-based violence