Peacekeeping Helicopter is Attacked in Darfur

News today that a UNAMID helicopter was attacked in Darfur is the latest evidence of the need to enforce and expand the Darfur arms embargo. UNAMID is the name for the beleaguered United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur. While unconfirmed, it appears that the helicopter was attacked by rebels operating in Darfur. For too long rebel groups have faced little criticism or negative consequences for the role they play in helping to sustain the violence in the region as most attention is on the Government of Sudan. It is time for the Security Council to get serious about enforcing the Darfur arms embargo by punishing all violators. Without tough concrete action on the part of the Security Council more attacks on UNAMID are likely to occur.