Zimbabwe to send 20 peacekeepers to Sudan

Dec 30, 2005 (HARARE) — Zimbabwe police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri has said 20 police officers will leave the country next week for United Nations peacekeeping duties in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, local media reported on Friday.

During his meeting with the police officers on Thursday, Chihuri urged them to “keep the Zimbabwean flag flying high, mindful of those who needlessly seek to soil the good name of the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and Zimbabwe in general by portraying her as a country fraught with lawlessness.”

“I, thus, thrust upon your shoulders, as envoys of Zimbabwe, the duty to resolutely and steadfastly defend our integrity and sovereignty,” he said.

Chihuri said the contribution made by the police in enabling global peace over the years was continuously exemplified by the UN’s perennial requests to the government to send police officers on peacekeeping missions.

“Our officers have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other police forces from around the globe during these peacemaking initiatives, earning themselves, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Republic of Zimbabwe a permanent place in the annals of global peace keeping history,” he said.

He said the officers should exhibit the highest degree of professionalism during their tour of duty.

Chihuri urged them to shun any conduct that would defile them physically or mentally.

“Always be mindful of the prevalence of the dreaded HIV/AIDS that is wrecking havoc the world over,” he said.

(Xinhua)