African Union deploys more troops in Sudan’s Darfur region

Oct 8, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — The African Union (AU) said it had completed the deployment of seven (7) full Battalions in Darfur, in implementation of its deployment Plan on 19 September, the AU announced in a statement dated October 6.

The head of Darfur Integrated Taskforce (DITF) ambassador KI Doulaye Corentin, said in a press statement, that the third and last Battalion from Nigeria and Rwanda composed respectively of 680 and 538 strong military personnel have been successfully deployed to Darfur during the period 19 September to 5 October 2005.

The AU said the deployment plan in Darfur was suspended after three weeks of “logistical pause” from Aug. 31 to September 18 due to heavy rains and a lack of jet fuel.

To complete the strength of the Protection Force, the Republic of South Africa has been requested to provide the last Battalion composed of 538 military strong men and a Reserve Company, a Light Field Engineer Platoon and an EOD Section.

South Africa has already 285 military Personnel in AMIS, Darfur.

The AU mission in Darfur began in April 2004 with less than 500 peacekeepers and has grown to 6,200 with financial and logistical support from the EU, the United States and others.

(ST)