Ethiopian police fly to join Darfur peacekeeping troops

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

April 12,2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia today sends a first group of police officers to Sudan to take part in the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in the war-torn Darfur region.

Addressing at farewell party, federal police commissioner, Workuneh Gebeyehu said “a group of 15 police officers, who were under high preparation, will leave for Darfur tonight”

The commissioner called on the police officers to effectively carry out their responsibility while in duty.

Ethiopia has offered 5,000 troops for Darfur but 3,000 of them are so far accepted to be deployed, hence in principle, a big number of troops doesn’t have to come from a single nation for the proposed UN/AU hybrid force, to effectively carry out the mission.

Commissioner Workuneh also called on the departing peace keepers to promote Ethiopia’s image by playing tremendous role in maintaining peace and security in Sudan.

“Ethiopia is taking part its share in an international peacekeeping mission” the commissioner said adding “Ethiopia has given a bigger attention in assuring peace and stability in the horn of Africa’s region and internationally as a whole.”

The departing police officers to their side pledge to effectively carry out the responsibility they are taking on behalf of the Ethiopian people and the government of Ethiopia.

This is the first time in its history Ethiopia to deploy police officers to an international peace keeping mission.

The officers rank from assistant inspector to commander. It was learnt.

Ethiopia, in recent weeks, has been transporting military logistics to Sudan ahead of its troop’s arrival.

Ethiopia’s history of contribution to peace mission dates back from Mengust’s regime to republic of Korea and in recent years to Rwanda Congo, Liberia, Burundi, Somalia and now to the Sudan.

(ST)