The sometimes problematic nature of China's relationship with Africa is nowhere more stark than in Beijing's engagement with Sudan (see also here, here, here, here, and here). Over at The New Republic Eric Reeves, one of the foremost authorities on the crisis in Darfur, has a piece telling us to be wary of China's support for UN Resolution 1769, in which the United Nations Security Council authorized a joint UN-African Union (AU) force to intervene in Darfur.
Although China did vote to support the resolution this year (last year they abstained so as not to breach Khartoum's sovereignty, or so they would have had you believe) Reeves would not be so fast to heap praise on Beijing for coming around: “Winning China's support came at a significant price. Khartoum's staunchest ally voted for the resolution only after it had helped to secure the elimination of key provisions.” Reeves also shows that there is blame enough to go around among Western powers and not just China.
It will be seen if this resolution proves to be another half-measure that falls short in reality. One hopes that a demonstrable use of force — the threat of which really has been the only stick to which Khartoum has responded consistently — will set the stage for a long-term solution in Darfur. But until we are given reason to believe otherwise, skepticism will rule the day. Nonetheless, the authorization of troops and the willingness to use force signals a vital step forward if the troop presence comes to pass.
