Prioritizing and Sequencing Peacekeeping Mandates in 2019: The Case of UNAMID

The UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the United Nations–African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) in June 2019. As Sudan undergoes an uncertain political transition and security gains in Darfur remain tenuous, these negotiations represent a critical moment to reflect upon the Security Council’s strategic engagement in the country.

In this context, the International Peace Institute (IPI), the Stimson Center, and Security Council Report organized a workshop on May 23, 2019, to discuss UNAMID’s mandate and political strategy. This workshop provided a forum for member states, UN stakeholders, and outside experts to share their assessments of the situation in Darfur. The discussion was intended to help the Security Council make more informed decisions with respect to the strategic orientation, prioritization, and sequencing of the mission’s mandate and actions on the ground.

The workshop focused on the evolving political and security situation in Darfur, the implications of Sudan’s ongoing national political transition for the Darfur region, divisions within the international community, and the challenges facing the mission’s drawdown and reconfiguration. Among the recommendations emerging from the discussion were for the mandate to provide UNAMID the flexibility to maneuver, consolidate recent gains, and articulate a clear political strategy that prioritizes long-term peacebuilding and development.