Danish Sudan troops delayed

COPENHAGEN, May 10, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The contingent of 45 Danish soldiers which is being posted to Sudan as part of a UN mission has been delayed. They are all expected to be in place in June, the Danish radio reprted.

Right now five soldiers are starting up the mission’s headquarters in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. Once this has been done soldiers will be sent out continuously as the headquarters are extended.

Six soldiers will depart in mid-May, including the commander of the Danish force, Lieutenant-Colonel Claus Henrik Pedersen.

The reason for the delay is that it has transpired that existing buildings could not be used for accommodation. The Italian troops who are building the camp have had to start from scratch as a result.

All construction materials for the camp are being flown in via Khartoum. The airport in Khartoum is currently closed to large freight carriers but is expected to open at the end of May.

The Danish troops will be charged with assisting the UN military supreme command, and will help plan operations and provide technical aid among other things.

They will take part in the United Nation’s peace-keeping force there after the peace agreement Khartoum signed with the rebels in south Sudan on Sunday January 9, 2005.