In an open letter, Dallaire advises Agwai that he has little chance of successfully protecting the people of Darfur with the 26,000-strong force he is due to command in the area.

He said the mission will only be successful if there is a clear chain of command, if proper resources are made available and if Agwai watches his back; factors that were all sadly lacking during Dallaire's mission in Rwanda.

Dallaire was a lone voice from the international community when he was prepared to argue strongly for a strong international force to protect the people who were massacred in the Rwandan genocide. He was ignored. As a result Dallaire tells Agwai that he can expect to be let down by "everyone on whom you depend for support".

There is little evidence to suggest that the international community, despite all the rhetoric and pledges, are truly committed to ending the suffering of these vulnerable people of Darfur.