African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur

On 31 July 2007, the United Security Council passed Resolution 1769 to authorise the establishment of the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to bring stability to the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan while peace talks on a final settlement continue. The mission was to create a joint peacekeeping force of 26,000 troops, including 9,000-strong African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). The peacekeepers was allowed to use force to protect civilians and humanitarian operations.

China was invited to contribute to the mission in April 2007. Previously China had already contributed 460 peacekeepers to the U.N. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). The Chinese government has long been criticised by United States, European Union and human rights groups for turning a blind eye to the ongoing conflict and genocide in the Darfur region, where 450,000 people have died from violence and disease and about 2.5 million have fled their homes. Beijing rejected ideas of international sanctions against the Sudanese government. China won credit in early 2007 for persuading Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's president, to accept a peace plan proposed by the former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan.

A unit of 315 engineer and medical staffs selected from an engineer regiment and a mechanised infantry division of the Jinan Military Region, and a water supply regiment of the Beijing Military Region was formed in June 2007. The unit was equipped with 6 armoured personnel carriers and 219 vehicles and machinery including bulldozers, grabs, and other construction machineries, as well as small arms for self-defence. As well as the basic military and engineering training, the troops have also received training in English language, local customs, and operations in Sudan’s heat and dry conditions.

Currently China has a 315-man engineer unit in Darfur. Their main responsibility is to build roads and bridges and dig wells to prepare for the deployment of the hybrid international forces for Darfur. Due to the harsh environments and poor living conditions, this mission was regarded as the most challenging peacekeeping operation ever for the PLA.

Last update: 9 February 2009