Naval reservist off to Sudan for UN work
Stephanie Burr
Staff writer
March 17, 2008
Stephanie Burr
Lookout
Lt(N) Jim Parker and his piles of kit are heading to the heart of Africa’s Sudan this week to begin a six month tour as a United Nations Military Observer. Armed with only his blue beret and negotiating skills, Lt(N) Parker will join 24 other Canadians to monitor and observe interactions between the Muslim and Christian Sudanese.
This week, navy reservist Lt(N) Jim Parker will trade in his naval uniform and reserve peak cap for the blue of the UN beret and desert CADPATs.
Lt(N) Parker is heading into the heart of Africa’s Sudan to spend six months as an unarmed United Nations Military Observer.
His tour begins with two weeks of orientation at the United Nation (UN) headquarters in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, with other new military observers.
“I’m not really sure what to expect. I know it will be hot and humid, but other than that I’m leaving all expectations behind,” says Lt(N) Parker.
He applied for the job in Africa after much thought, but says finding out he’d been chosen couldn’t have come at a better time. He recently retired as Physical Education teacher, and his 20 years work with the naval reserves at HMCS Malahat is part-time.
“I began to re-examine my life and what I was doing with it,” he says. “I came to the conclusion that I needed to shake things up and find a way to give something back.
Writing a cheque to my local charity is just too easy. Although tough and nasty, this tour will be a perfect way for me to contribute.”
Lt(N) Parker will join 24 other Canadians stationed throughout southern Sudan to monitor and observe interactions between the Muslim and Christian Sudanese. He will help locals resolve minor disputes and report any hostile activities to the UN.
UN Military Observers do this unarmed, using their wits and diplomacy to thwart any potential conflict.
To prepare for the assignment, Lt(N) Parker spent five weeks at the Peace Support Training Centre in Kingston, ON., for classroom studies and hands-on scenarios. This will be followed by the two weeks in Khartoum for mission-specific briefings and training.
Spending six months in a war torn country, armed with only negotiating skills is an interesting challenge says Lt(N) Parker.
“Hopefully not being armed will reinforce that we are an impartial, non-threatening resource for the locals,” he says. “The absence of weapons reiterate that we are there to help them rather than keep them in check.”
Tucked in his kit will be photos of his partner Heather Cairns and their dog Judd to help him cope with what he says will be inevitable bouts of homesickness.
“I will miss my family, but I know they’ll be fine when I gone. I’m also very aware that those left behind really have to work harder in the absence of their deployed partner,” he says.
Lt(N) Parker will arrive in Sudan just as the country heads into its hottest time of the year. On average, a summer day in the Sudan reaches 42 degrees Celsius.
“I’m trying to get into the habit of constantly hydrating myself,” he says. “I can only imagine what the temperature will be like paired with the humidity of lush southern Sudan.”
Although he will miss the comfort of a morning coffee with Cairns and a Sunday stroll around James Bay, Lt(N) Parker says he is looking forward to experiencing a drastically different culture.
“I am going to do my best to leave my Canadian ideals behind because I don’t think it’s possible to apply my beliefs and living standards to what I am about to experience,” he says. “I’m in their country and I will learn to do things their way.”
With the days counting down until his plane leaves, Lt(N) Parker is spending his time soaking up the West Coast scenery and going over his gear one last time.
“I’m still wary that I will get there and have forgotten something. But overall I just can’t wait to get there,” he says. “I’m really looking forward to doing something that might, in the long term, help the Sudanese and be a life-changing event for me. I totally believe that a positive attitude can achieve great things.”
History of Sudan
For 23 years, Sudan has endured a devastating civil war between the mainly Muslim north and Christian south. Nearly two million people have been killed. Millions more have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in 1985.
Talks eventually culminated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by both the Government of Sudan, representing the North, and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA), representing the South on Jan. 9, 2005.
“These people need help in rebuilding and stabilizing their country and communities. The UN mission offers them that aid,” says Parker.
Following the signing of the peace agreement, the UN Mission in Sudan began. About 700 military observers, 24 from Canada, are currently stationed throughout the country to monitor both sides and to ensure they follow the peace agreement.
