2005 – African Union Peacekeepers Deployed to Sudan

On May 29, 2005, the African Union expanded its peacekeeping mission in Darfur, Sudan, responding to escalating violence against civilians amid a humanitarian crisis. Though not widely remembered in mainstream Western media, this deployment represented a growing assertion of African-led conflict resolution. Black nations organizing to protect Black lives marked a new phase in continental sovereignty and collective security. The mission sought to stop ethnic cleansing and protect displaced persons, even as logistical challenges remained. May 29 marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of African continental unity and self-determination. Though the crisis in Sudan is ongoing, the AU’s efforts in 2005 laid groundwork for future peacekeeping models driven by African leadership. This date highlights the importance of Black internationalism in global governance and the continuing efforts of African states to uphold peace and justice on their own terms.