Kenya dispatches 820 peacekeepers to Sudan

Oct 26, 2005 (NAIROBI) — President Mwai Kibaki today said Kenya has began playing an active role in the reconstruction of Sudan with the dispatching of 820 peacekeeping troops to that country.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell signs the Sudan Peace agreement as a witness, as Sudan’s Vice President, Ali Osman Taha, left, and Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki, right, wait, at Nyayo Stadium Nairobi, Kenya, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005. (AP).

He said the move follows the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement that was brokered by Kenya.

The President was speaking at State House Nairobi when he bade farewell to Kenbatt 15, the Kenyan contingent that will represent the country on a peace and humanitarian mission in the Sudan.

President Kibaki added that the Government has also opened a consulate in Juba, in its desire to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations with the Sudan.

He said the Government has already established instruments through which Kenya’s bilateral cooperation with the Sudan will be implemented.

“I urge Kenyans to take advantage of opportunities that stability will bring,” the Head of State said.

The President once again expressed the need to move to the next step of supporting the people of Sudan during the period of post-conflict reconstruction.

He stressed that the move would open a new era of progress in the Sudan and enable the people of Sudan and the entire region to benefit from the economic opportunities that peace and stability will avail.

The Head of State commended the Kenyan armed forces for their invaluable contribution to peace and security which, he noted, had earned them a noble reputation both within and beyond the Kenyan borders.

The President noted that that at the national level, the armed forces have continued to discharge their primary function of defending the country with distinction.

Said the President: “In addition to this primary function, we appreciate the services of our armed forces in civic engagements and in strengthening our civil authorities in ensuring peace and security.”

Pointing out that the military has provided assistance to civil authorities, President Kibaki said the armed forces have particularly been a key player in the ‘Operation Dumisha Amani’ that aims at restoring sustainable peace and security in the North Rift Districts.

“I am happy to note that under this operation, a total of 2,250 illegal arms and 3,700 rounds of ammunition have been recovered as at the end of September 2005,” the Head of State said.

On civic engagements, the President observed that the armed forces have been organizing medical camps in various parts of the country, adding that they have also availed graders in West Pokot and Samburu for road construction works and have developed two water pans in Oropoi.

In this regard, the Head of State thanked the Chief of General Staff, the Service Commanders and all military officers for the contributions and for maintaining exemplary standards of professionalism and discipline.

“I wish to encourage you to continue playing an active role in our joint efforts at economic reconstruction, President Kibaki said.

At the regional level, President Kibaki said Kenya has continued to play a frontline role in the promotion of regional peace and stability, adding that the Kenyan armed forces have been a valued partner in the activities, many of which are continuing to bring peace, hope and progress to the region.

He said as part of the Government’s commitment to peace, the military is party to the East African Community Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Defense.

“Under this Memorandum of Understanding, immense progress has been made in forging closer ties between the East African Community countries,” President Kibaki said.

The President said Kenya is also party to the African Union protocol establishing the Peace and Security Council and the Policy Framework establishing the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the Eastern Africa region in April this year.

He said: “Indeed, the planning for the operationalization of the Eastern Africa Standby Brigade is taking place at our Defense Staff College at Karen, Nairobi.”

Saying Kenya has participated in 26 missions in 21 countries worldwide since the first involvement of Kenyan armed forces in peacekeeping operations in Zimbabwe in 1980, President Kibaki assured the Kenyan contingent to Sudan that the Government is committed to providing the necessary resources to support the tasks they were embarking on.

“As you proceed to Sudan, I would like to remind you that Kenya has played a leading mediation role in the conflict of the Sudan. Our efforts, together with other IGAD Partners, resulted in the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement early this year,” he said.

The contingent which will be in Sudan for one year includes a humanitarian de-mining company with 104 men whose specialized task will be to minimize the suffering of civilians by making their farms, roads and fields mine-free to allow resumption of economic activities.

The ceremony was also attended by Minister of State John Michuki, the Chief of General Staff General Jeremiah Kianga and service commanders.

(KBC/PPS/ST)