A Proposal for Darfur

Lots of folks are expected to rally this weekend and call for action to end genocidal violence in Darfur. I agree that it might be a just cause to come to the defense of the victims of violence, but I do not agree that governments should deploy soldiers. That would involve using funds coercively taken from people who may or may not want to contribute to the defense of the victims. Moreover, military personnel are not free to refuse to deploy to Sudan, and many of them were induced (albeit fraudulently) to enlist based on the assumption that they would be deployed in the national security interests of their countries.

It is my understanding that it will require some 15,000 soldiers to keep the peace in Darfur. Assuming for the sake of discussion that it costs $1 million a year to pay and equip one mercenary, a force of 15,000 soldiers of fortune could be had for $15 billion a year. If 100 million concerned individuals contributed $150 a year each, they could field a defense force. If 1 million wealthy concerned individuals contributed $15,000 a year, they could field a defense force. If 1,000 concerned Hollywood stars and moguls ponied up $1.5 million each, that would do the trick.

Also, mercenaries may be able to work more efficiently than government troops such that you might get by with 10,000. And you could hire and train local people to take over the defense of the area with a view to ending the mission of the mercenary force once the locals are trained and equipped. As local forces came on line, the number of more expensive mercenaries might be reduced.

A non-profit should be organized to solicit contributions and retain a private army.