Sudan: Nigeria Leads 12,000 Peacekeepers in Darfur

2 January 2009

The United Nations (UN) yesterday announced that 12,374 peacekeepers have so far been deployed to UN-AU hybrid force in Sudan's Darfur region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the UN reports that the peacekeeping force, known as UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is expected to have 26,000 troops, police and civilian personnel at full deployment.

Nigeria has about 3,000 troops and police personnel in Darfur.

"The United Nations is pleased to confirm that 12,374 uniformed personnel have been deployed to UNAMID, representing 63 per cent of the mission's authorized military strength of 19,555 personnel," the UN said.

This was contained in a statement to mark one year of the hybrid force in Darfur.

It said that the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, applauded the efforts of the troop-contributing countries.

It said that "in reaching this target in the face of serious difficulties, including the volatile security situation in Darfur".

According to Ban, the cooperation of the Sudanese government in achieving this level of deployment, while also stressing the need for the continuation of the cooperation, however, stated that, "to ensure the mission continues to grow and reach full strength, troop-and-police-contributing countries will have to work together with the United Nations."

It said this was to "expedite the deployment of all outstanding capabilities".

It called on member states to step up efforts to provide the shortfall in troops, helicopters and other logistic support to enable the force to ensure peace and security in the war-torn region.

It also quoted the UN chief as calling on the international community to commit themselves to the volatile region, in order to counter the escalating threat to peace and security.

UNAMID was set up by the UN Security Council in 2007 to protect civilians in Darfur.

It is estimated that 300,000 people have been killed and another 2.7 million displaced following hostilities between rebels, government forces and allied militiamen, known as the Janjaweed, in 2003.

Nigeria's Gen. Martin Agwai is the force commander and the Chairman of the Darfur Ceasefire Commission.

NAN recalls that Ban recently warned that clashes between the warring factions in Darfur was threatening the UN-AU peacekeeping mission.

He urged all parties to end hostilities and work towards a comprehensive political solution in the region.