(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in Canada believe their soldiers should be deployed to the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 48 per cent of respondents would support sending Canadian troops for military support if the United Nations (UN) requests them.

Sudan has been ravaged by food shortages and deadly attacks in the Darfur region, where two black African armed groups—the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)—are fighting the mainly Arab central administration and pro-government militias known as Janjaweed. According to the UN, the conflict has led to the deaths of at least 200,000 people, and the displacement of more than 2.5 million inhabitants. 48 per cent of respondents feel they are reasonably informed about the conflict in Darfur, and 31 per cent think providing financial aid is the best way to help out the people in the region.

On Jul. 31, the UN announced that the Sudanese government has agreed to the deployment of a joint UN-African Union (AU) mission with 26,000 troops. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon discussed the situation, saying, "As we recognize the importance of today's resolution, and redouble our collective efforts to strengthen peacekeeping in Darfur, we must also acknowledge that it is only through a political process that can we achieve a sustainable solution to the conflict."

On Aug. 2, Canadian foreign minister Peter MacKay announced that Canada's humanitarian aid to Darfur would total $415 million U.S. over three years. Several countries—including France, Denmark, Indonesia and Norway—have pledged soldiers to the hybrid UN-AU peacekeeping force in Darfur. Canada has not been asked to deploy soldiers to the region. 64 per cent of respondents believe Canada's armed forces are committed to too many efforts abroad.

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