The Role of the Netherlands in the International Response to the Crisis in Darfur

Abstract

We discuss the role of the Netherlands in the crisis of Darfur during 2003-2005. The Netherlands was active as major donor and tried to facilitate political solutions since the breakout of the Darfur crisis. During the period July-December 2004 it acted as EU President and was as such involved in creating a common EU line. Additionally, it acted as EU representative in Khartoum for an extended period, while several Dutchmen were at high positions at the EU and UN. We discuss how policy was made and which domestic actors had influenced its foreign policy. Subsequently, we see how its foreign policy worked through international politics, especially within the EU. We conclude that the Netherlands was partially successful in establishing a more active EU position regarding Darfur. However, we also find evidence that eventually the EU has lagged behind the response of the UN Security Council, despite being a major donor to emergency relief and the African Union mission in Sudan.