UN’s Annan: Sudan peacekeepers would cost $1B in first year

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 23, 2005 (AP) — The cost of deploying U.N. peacekeepers to help enforce an agreement ending a 21-year civil war in Sudan will top $1 billion in the first year, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report Wednesday.

The estimate is based on the phased deployment of 10,130 military personnel, 755 civilian police, 1,018 international staff, 2,623 national staff and 214 United Nations Volunteers, Annan said.

The Security Council is considering a resolution drafted by the United States to send U.N. peacekeepers to help monitor the peace deal between the government and rebels in southern Sudan which ended Africa’s longest-running conflict.

The resolution would allow the peacekeepers to help African Union troops restore peace in a separate conflict in Sudan ‘s western Darfur province only if Annan approved.

Council members have scheduled informal meetings Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the draft, with members still divided over sanctions and referring those accused of war crimes to the International Criminal Court, which the U.S. vehemently opposes.

Annan’s report to the U.N. Security Council recommended that all 191 U.N. member states should share the cost, based on a formula where rich nations like the U.S. pay the most.

According to the report, the 10,130-strong military force would include 750 military observers, 5,070 troops, a force protection unit of 4,150 troops and 160 headquarters and staff officers.

Annan said the U.N projects the mission will cost just over $1 billion for the first 12 months, comprised of $862.3 million in recurrent costs and $147.5 million in non-recurrent costs.