Russian peacekeepers to join UN mission in Sudan

Feb 10, 2006 (MOSCOW) — A Russian military contingent of 200 soldiers and four Mi-8 military transport helicopters will join a UN peacekeeping mission patrolling southern Sudan, President Vladimir Putin said Friday.

“I order a military contingent of 200 soldiers with four Mi-8 military transport helicopters from the armed forces of the Russian Federation to be sent to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Republic of Sudan,” Putin said in a written order released by the Kremlin.

The contingent would remain in Sudan at least until the UN peacekeeping mission’s current mandate expires on March 24, but is likely to stay longer, Putin said.

The United Nations Mission in Sudan, created by the UN Security Council in March, is set to expand to a maximum of 10,000 soldiers and 715 police officers.

The force is overseeing the implementation of a peace treaty signed by Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in January, which ended more than 21 years of civil war.

(ST/AFP)