Challenges for Bangladeshi peacekeepers – Darfur experience

BANGLADESH is recognized as one of the leading contributors to peacekeeping operations around the globe. The role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in promoting peace has been recognized as a role model by the United Nations. But the experiences of Bangladeshi peacekeepers are a mixture of challenges and appreciations. In fact, peacekeeping in Sudan was as challenging and complicated as any other conflict prone area of the world. 

Till 2014, Bangladesh Sector Reserve Infantry Company 5 (BANSRIC/5) was the only Bangladeshi military contingent performing peacekeeping role under UNAMID (African Union/UN Hybrid operation in Darfur) having strength of 175 only. Later, in August 2014, Force Reserve Infantry Company (BANFRIC) was inducted. Besides, there are fewer than 50 military observers, staff officers and civilian staff officers holding appointments at various levels. It is to be mentioned that this number is trivial in comparison to the total member of UNAMID (around 26,000) which is the largest in the history of its kind. Moreover, the overall security situation is not very favorable for UNAMID due to various reasons. Even with such meager strength Bangladeshi peacekeepers are performing their role with utmost dedication, hard work and sincerity. And this is appreciated by all UNAMID members. The local people also have very high impression though they blame UNAMID for not doing enough to establish and promote peace in Darfur. Due to this negative approach towards UNAMID, contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers are sometimes diluted as a whole. 

Threat from militia group (Janjaweed) and various armed factions is another major challenge to the implementation of the peace process. Perpetrators of attack, ambush and other armed actions against UNAMID cannot be identified since they always act in disguise. Taking advantage of this, one faction always blames the other. Such blame game seems to be intentional as Government of Sudan (GoS) doesn't take any measure against these groups. Frequently, miscreant groups seek opportunity to commandeer arms, ammunition, vehicles and other military equipment by conducting harassing acts on UNAMID military forces to use those at opportune moments to fight each other. So far, almost all troop-contributing countries have come under their deadly attacks except Bangladesh. The death of Tanzanian soldiers in July 2013 is the most recent example. In that incident, an unidentified armed group ambushed a Tanzanian patrol and brutally killed 7 soldiers while 17 others were critically injured. On 03 July 2013, a Nigerian patrol was attacked by an unidentified armed group and 3 soldiers received bullet injury. A robust patrol from BANSRIC/5 was sent to rescue and evacuate the Nigerian patrol. The patrol reached at the quickest possible time, reinforced the Nigerian patrol and evacuated the injured soldiers to hospital. Such quick and prompt actions were appreciated by all. BANSRIC/5 also took the leading role in evacuating UNAMID and other international staff during the sudden unrest in Nyala city. In April 2013 when a rebel group operating in KHOR-ABECHE (a UNAMID team site, 80 km east of Nyala), was desperate to capture UNAMID camp as well as GoS forces, BANSRIC went to augment them and displayed exemplary valour in saving the entire camp from an imminent disaster. Due to sheer confidence on them, higher headquarters prefer to send Bangladeshi peacekeepers to negotiate critical situations. Thus a very small contingent is performing its role over a vast area that is three times the area of Bangladesh.

The situation is often complicated by adverse weather condition, language barrier, rugged terrain, unpredictable security situation and fear of the unknown. These challenges are also worsened by denial of access and restriction of free movement by GoS. Sometimes verification patrols are forced to cease operational activities especially in those remote areas where it is speculated that the armed militia groups are conducting killing and other brutal crimes on opposition groups or their local sympathizers. Even flying of helicopter after dusk is put under restriction which causes severe difficulty in movement of emergency logistics, transportation of peacekeepers or even medical evacuation. These are clear violations of memorandum of understanding (MOU) and breach of the UN mandate. 

Despite all the adverse conditions, Bangladeshi peacekeepers are fully committed to performing their designated tasks in Darfur.

The writer served as Operational Officer of Bangladeshi Contingent in Sector South, Darfur from 2013 to 2014.