Canada must lead in Darfur
Ben Fine and Josh Scheinert
National Post
Monday, September 18, 2006
On August 31, the United Nations moved one step closer to bringing about an end to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. It passed Security Council Resolution 1706, calling for up to 20,600 troops and police to help stabilize the troubled region and protect its vulnerable civilians.
To make this protection a reality Canada will have to answer the call.
Currently, violence in Darfur continues, displacing and uprooting thousands of innocents. There are 3.6 million Darfurians dependent on aid, which is at its lowest amount since the conflict began, due to a lack of funding and security. The number of weak and unprotected people increases every day. But the UN resolution has given us an opportunity to step in. It is time for Canada to offer troops and resources -- to do more, in other words, than making ephemeral statements outlining our concern for the people in Darfur.
Resolution 1706 refers to Sudan's "responsibility to protect" its civilians, a Canadian diplomatic initiative adopted by the UN's General Assembly one year ago. Given that Sudan has manifestly failed to protect its population from ethnic cleansing, the resolution rightfully "invites" the Sudanese government to consent to the troop deployment, rather than requiring it.
The success of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) deployment to Darfur depends on military and diplomatic leadership. Troops and resources from developed nations are vital if UNMIS is to fulfill its ambitious mandate. Diplomatically, the mission requires the leadership of nations other than Great Britain and the United States, both of which are militarily tied down elsewhere.
Enter Canada. A recently publicized report states that in addition to the troops in Afghanistan, the Canadian military has a 1,200-strong task force reserved for international crises such as Darfur. As well, Canada could supply a squadron of CF-18 fighter jets (12-18 aircraft) and the appropriate support and logistics elements in order to ground Sudanese aircraft, preventing attacks on civilians.
What is more, we have the world behind us. Nations from around the world have grown impatient with Sudan's constant rejection of the need for an international protection force in Darfur. Sweden and Norway are prepared to contribute. African nations are already there; Asian troops are in south Sudan. All that's missing is a credible leader.
We have the resources. We have the allies. The question thus becomes, do we have the will to lead? Canadian citizens do. Yesterday, "Global Day for Darfur" rallies were held around the world, and Canadians gathered in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax to call for Canadian leadership in Darfur.
There is, therefore, no more fitting time than now for the Government of Canada to take the lead in bringing about an end to an awful humanitarian crisis. This is the moment for Canada to prove itself and its ideals to the people of Darfur, to the international community and, most importantly, to us -- Canadians at home who know our country can and should be doing more.
- Ben Fine, the executive director of STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) Canada is a student in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. Josh Scheinert, STAND Canada's communications director, is a student at Osgoode Hall Law School.
....er, cut it out! Keep it on track, dammit. 
