Netherlands to deploy 35 peacekeepers in Sudan
Nov 22, 2055 (AMSTERDAM) — The Dutch government yesterday decided to strengthen the UN peace mission in southern Sudan (UNMIS) by deploying 35 Dutch military and police personnel to help implement UN Security Council resolution 1590.
Fifteen military observers and fifteen police officers will serve for one year in the region around Juba, the regional capital of southern Sudan. In addition, five staff officers will work at the UNMIS headquarters in Juba and in the national capital, Khartoum.
The Dutch contingent will leave for Sudan as soon as it has been established that the agreed security requirements will be met and medical facilities provided. The expected departure date will be in January 2006.
The deployment will cost the Netherlands around ?1.5 million.
UNMIS consists of a stabilisation force of 10,000 troops, including 750 military observers. Their main task is to supervise compliance with the peace agreement signed on 9 January 2005 by the Sudanese government and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
The military observers will carry out their duties in small teams with representatives of the two previously warring parties. The teams’ safety will be guaranteed by the UN Protection Force. The teams will talk with all the parties concerned, make their observations, and report to the UN on whether the two sides are sticking to the peace agreement.
The observers will be unarmed and work entirely within the area controlled by the UN Protection Force, whose task is to ensure the observers’ safety, if necessary by force of arms. The police officers will join the staff of the UN Special Representative in Khartoum.
The Netherlands has long been involved in the peace negotiations and implementation of the peace agreement in Sudan.
(ST)