In Focus Sunday May 28th, 2006 . . .SABC2 18:30

A CHALLENGE CALLED DARFUR

It’s hot – very hot - and dusty. Few locals speak English. The food isn’t exactly tasty. And Darfur is very far from home. 

South Africa has contributed more than 400 soldiers and police members to the African Union’s Mission in Sudan – also known as AMIS. 

AMIS was deployed in the war-ravaged Darfur in June 2004 after warring parties signed a ceasefire agreement. 

The 7 000-strong AU force has to “monitor the peace” in Darfur - an area roughly the size of Botswana. There has however been no peace to monitor as a result of numerous ceasefire violations by government soldiers, rebels, Arab militia and smaller tribal factions. Long-distance travel is only possible by air as the roads are in a poor state.  The AU mission is also under funded and under resourced, compromising the continental body’s mandate.  

But the South Africans say they are up to the challenge. As military observers, protection forces and civilian police, they investigate ceasefire violations, protect AU staff, provide safe passage for humanitarian NGO’S and train the local police. Most of the South Africans are deployed in Sector 6 in Northern Darfur – where, according to the AU’s Special Representative to Sudan, they’ve proven to be the most self-sufficient of the contributing countries.

South Africans like Major Phumla Mjikeliso perform emergency Cesareans under difficult conditions while Major Joep Joubert trains fellow AU soldiers to become expert marksmen.   

The bigger picture is to pave the way for stability and economic prosperity in Darfur – working towards an African Renaissance as envisaged by president Mbeki. 

Darfur’s 2 smaller rebel groups have until the end of May to support the peace agreement that was signed earlier this month by the Sudanese government and the Sudanese Liberation Movement. There’s mounting pressure on the United Nations to take over the AU’s mission and South Africans could be asked to help.  

Focus producer Karin d’Orville and cameraman Dudley Saunders have had the rare opportunity to spend a week behind the scenes of the South African peace keeping effort in Al Fasher and Kutum in Darfur. In a special 2-part documentary the South Africans share their personal experiences.