U.N.-African force takes over in Darfur

A joint African-United Nations force took over peacekeeping duties in Darfur, a long-awaited change that is intended to be the strongest effort yet to solve the humanitarian crisis.

But many warn that its prospects are grim and that if it fails, it will only worsen Sudan’s 4 1/2 -year conflict, which has killed more than 200,000 people.

The force -- at 9,000 soldiers and policemen -- is only a little larger than the beleaguered and ineffectual African Union peacekeeping mission it replaces. Even in the best-case scenario, it will take months to build up to its planned strength of 26,000.