Retired Canadian general Romeo Dallaire thinks Canada has the capability to send troops to the troubled Darfur region of Sudan despite concerns that the country does not have the manpower for another military mission.

Speaking on CTV's Question Period on Sunday, Sen. Dallaire agreed that the Canadian Forces have been stretched thin by years of budget cuts and the ongoing mission in Afghanistan.  But, he argued that pullbacks from other missions meant Canada could spare a force for Sudan.

"I think it is almost reflective of a banana republic if we can't, as a leading middle power, be able to move forces in those two mission and do it with the capabilities we have," he said.

"In the current situation, after the last two years where the Canadian Forces have been pulling out of UN missions in order to lick their wounds, I believe we can go in as part of a developed world contingent to reinforce the African Union (peacekeepers) for a short period of time."

More than 200,000 people have been killed and two million driven from their homes in Darfur because of a campaign of government-sponsored terror against non-Arab tribes. A ceasefire between government-backed militias and rebels went into effect last Monday and the government has indicated it would be open to UN peacekeepers getting involved.

On Monday, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor told a Senate committee that Canada is stretched too thin to send troops to Darfur. But, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Wednesday that deployment was a possibility, although unlikely.

Dallaire said Canada has not done enough to prevent the ethnic cleansing.

"We, like the rest of the developed world, did not do anything for Darfur...we sort of pussy-footed with the Sudanese government in regards to holding them accountable for what they and their militias were doing."

Rock uncertain on outcome of peace accord

Allan Rock, Canada's outgoing ambassador to the UN, said it was too early to know if the recent peace accord will succeed.

"It is just word on paper unless it is implemented," Rock told Question Period on Sunday.

"This morning there are fresh reports of attack by militia on civilians.  The agreement provides those militia are to be disarmed."

Rock, who was in Nigeria to witness the signing of the agreement, said it was crucial that other nations get involved in making sure the treaty holds.

"There's reason to doubt the sincerity of the government of Sudan, based on the record.  That's why the international community and the United Nations are going to have a very significant role to play in making sure that there's follow-through and implementation.