Egypt to bolster UN peacekeepign missions in Sudan

February 26, 2009 (CAIRO) — Egypt will send 1600 soldiers to the UN peacekeeping operations in Darfur and Southern Suda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt stated Thursday.

The spokesman for the Foreign Ministry stated that the future increase of Egyptian participation is scheduled to be carried out soon. He disclosed that 940 additional soldiers will be sent to Darfur in West Sudan, where the UN – African Union hybrid operation is deploying.

Additionally, Egypt will send 660 soldiers to the peacekeeping mission in Southern Sudan, UNMIS, which monitors the 2005 peace agreement.

The spokesman highlighted that such an increase came in the framework of Egypt’s international commitment in the field of peacekeeping on the African continent, affirming its pioneer and vital role in this field.

One Egyptian battalion is currently deployed in Darfur in Umm Kadada in eastern Darfur, in addition to a signal company and an engineering company in Al Fasher. The Egyptian deployments last year were faced with serious delays.

Egypt participates in ten UN peacekeeping missions: seven in Africa, two in Asia, and one in Central America.

(ST)