Darfur’s UNAMID to receive Ethiopian helicopters in mid February
By Tesfa Alem Tekle
February 5, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Ethiopian government today said that it will deploy five tactical helicopters within two weeks in the restive region of Darfur to support the African Union and UN peacekeeping operation (UNAMID).
The announcement comes after Ethiopian foreign affairs minister Seyoum Mesfin on Thursday held talks with the new head of UNAMID Ibrahim Gambari.
The five helicopters that Ethiopia has given to UNAMID are expected to arrive in Darfur mid February, said Noureddine Mezni, the official spokesperson of the hybrid mission. “This would enable UNAMID to minimize the problem of mobility,” he added. .
UNAMID spokesperson told Sudan Tribune that an official ceremony will be organized in Nyala-South Darfur- to receive the five tactical helicopters, adding that Nyala will be the base of these choppers. A high level delegation from Ethiopia is expected to attend the event.
Conferring with FM Seyoum Mesfin, Mr. Gambari lauded Ethiopia’s efforts for Sudan peace and its continued contributions to support the AU/UN peace force. He called on Ethiopia to further strengthen its support to UNAMID joint coordination and support mechanism in Addis Ababa.
Gambari called on Ethiopia to strengthen its support to UNAMID Joint Support and Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) with AU in Addis Ababa. This structure was established more than one year ago to strengthen cooperation and partnership with AU.
Ethiopia has so far contributed nearly two battalions of peacekeeping forces which he said, was significant.
Ethiopia’s contribution of the Helicopters is said to ease the transport and other difficulties the peace keeping activity is facing due to the large size of Darfur, equivalent to the size of France.
FM Syoum Mesfin called on the international community to strengthen its support to the hybrid peace keeping mission in Darfur.
The Ethiopian troops deployed in Darfur consists of an infantry battalion and engineering unit, as well as a multi role, reconnaissance and transport companies.
The Ethiopian troops provide transport service, conduct security patrols within area of responsibility to enhance security and encourage confidence with the local population, conduct escorts for humanitarian convoys and accomplish other peace keeping related operations.
During the past 17 years Ethiopia has took part in important peace keeping missions such as in Rwanda, Burundi and Liberia.
(ST)