March 26, 2008 (3:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 64
MINISTER BERNIER ANNOUNCES MAJOR CANADIAN ENGAGEMENT FOR PEACE IN SUDAN
The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, while visiting Sudan, announced Canadian support for peace efforts in that country, as well as financial support to address the humanitarian and early-recovery needs of people affected by war there.
“Canada is at the forefront of international efforts to promote peace in Sudan, and Darfur in particular. Canadian airlift and other assistance was vital to the operation of the African Union Peacekeeping Force in Darfur, which has now been replaced by UNAMID, the African Union-United Nations hybrid mission,” said Minister Bernier. “I am proud to announce that Canada is taking another step, as we will invest up to $275 million in Sudan during 2008-09 in three areas: security, diplomacy and aid. This includes our assessed contributions for UN peacekeeping missions there.”
Referring to his meetings on March 25 in Khartoum with the Sudanese Foreign Minister, Deng Alor Kuol, and with presidential adviser Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister Bernier said, “I had productive and frank discussions with Sudanese officials in Khartoum. I conveyed to them Canada’s concern about the violence and humanitarian crisis in Darfur and the need for swift and full deployment of UNAMID. I called upon them to do their utmost to bring peace to Darfur. I also underscored Canada’s concerns about the human rights situation and with the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Southern Sudan.”
“Our government is deeply concerned with the security and well-being of the Sudanese people,” said the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation. “This major Canadian contribution will alleviate malnutrition, and increase access to water, education and health services in communities welcoming displaced persons in Darfur and across the rest of the country. It will also improve the security of the Sudanese by supporting demining efforts.”
Minister Bernier travelled to El Fasher in Darfur on March 26, where he met Canadian peacekeeping troops with UNAMID and visited an internally displaced persons camp.
“Part of our contribution will be $40 million for equipment and training for African troops with the hybrid force, making Canada the second-largest voluntary financial supporter of UNAMID,” Minister Bernier added. “Having witnessed first-hand the plight of civilians displaced by fighting in Darfur, I stressed the urgent need to establish security in the region by increasing UNAMID’s operating capacity.”
The Minister will travel to Juba in Southern Sudan on March 27, where he will meet officials of the Government of Southern Sudan in order to demonstrate Canada’s support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
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A backgrounder follows on Canada’s contribution to peace and human needs in Sudan.
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Backgrounder
CANADA’S CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE AND HUMAN NEEDS IN SUDAN
Canada will maintain a strong profile in Sudan, shifting from focusing on African Union peacekeeping to a broader whole-of-government, country-wide strategy.
Canada will invest up to $275 million in Sudan in 2008-09, in three areas: $155 million for security, $20 million for diplomacy, and $100 million for aid. This includes Canada’s assessed contributions for UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan. It builds upon Canada’s existing support for peace efforts, humanitarian assistance and early recovery in Sudan, for which Canada has provided over $388 million in voluntary contributions since January 2006.
Canada’s goal is achieving genuine progress on peace and human rights in Sudan, as well as addressing the humanitarian and early recovery needs of the Sudanese people. This assistance is a concrete means for Canada to advance those objectives. Assistance is channelled through international organizations such as the UN system and respected non-governmental organizations. The Minister’s visit to Sudan is an opportunity to convey to Sudanese authorities at the highest levels Canada’s support for efforts to bring peace to Darfur, and for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended Southern Sudan’s decades-long civil war in 2005.
Assessed contributions refers to the non-discretionary amounts paid by UN members to cover the costs of operations. Based on current estimates, Canada’s share of the budgets for the two UN peacekeeping operations in Sudan, the African Union-United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID), and the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), could be up to $84 million.
Security
Canada will allocate up to $71 million in voluntary support for the UNAMID and UNMIS peacekeeping missions in Sudan. This will include up to $40 million from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) to provide equipment, training and logistical support to African troop-contributing countries in UNAMID.
The Department of National Defence will allocate up to $26 million to deploy up to 50 Canadian Forces personnel to UNAMID and UNMIS, increase the professional expertise of UN peacekeeping troops, and continue the loan of over 100 armoured personnel carriers to UNAMID troop-contributing countries. A portion of this contribution may be offset by reimbursement from the UN. The RCMP and DFAIT will allocate up to $5 million to deploy up to 25 civilian police to the two peacekeeping missions.
Canada’s contribution will make us the second-largest voluntary financial supporter of UNAMID after the United States, which has announced a $100-million contribution. Unlike the African Union Mission in Sudan, UNAMID will receive financing from the UN system through assessed contributions. Canada has provided approximately $200 million in voluntary support to peacekeeping missions in Sudan since January 2006.
Diplomacy
DFAIT will provide $20 million to support peacebuilding and diplomatic activities. This will include a peacebuiding component of $17 million to support the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements, justice and security sector reform, disarmament demobilization and reintegration. It will also include up to $3 million to support Canada’s own diplomatic presence and activities aimed at promoting peace in Sudan.
Aid
Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, will provide up to $100 million in humanitarian assistance, early recovery and governance to address the needs of the conflict-affected people of Sudan. This is an increase from $71 million in 2007-08.
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