UN to complete deployment of troops to Sudan in January

Nov 11, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has said that it is working towards completing the deployment of its estimated 10,000 force to support peace in Sudan by January 2006.

During a press conference in Khartoum on Wednesday 9 November, the spokesperson of UNMIS, Radhia Achouri, said the number of forces deployed to Sudan so far is 3822 and represents 40% of the total number.

Achouri said militia activities in the south particularly by the Lord Resistance Army would have a negative effect on the deployment of the international force, as it may impede UN efforts to clear the main roads used to transport and deploy the forces.

Achouri said the UN demining team is still continuing with its operations in the region and the process currently being carried out along the Juba-Yei road. Achouri said the demining device has been placed in some chosen areas in the south.

(ST)