200 Tanzanian peacekeepers arrive in Darfur

August 12, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Some 200 Tanzanian troops arrived today in El-Fasher the capital of north Darfur to boost the deployment of the hybrid peacekeeping mission in the war ravaged region.

This group is the advance party of a Tanzanian Battalion that is expected to arrive in the Mission by mid September. They will be deployed in Khor Abeche and Muhajeria in South Darfur.

Currently Tanzania contributes 13 Military observers, 14 staff officers, and 3 liaison officers to the Mission. Tanzania also contributes 29 police advisers. With the new arrival, the total number of military forces deployed in the Mission is 14,182, representing over 70% of its authorized strength.

After a significant delay in troops deployment the Mission pledged to meet its final envisaged deployment of 19,555 troops by the end of this year. Ban Ki-Moon in his last report released earlier this month said that UNAMID plans to have more than 95% the authorized 26,000 deployed on the ground.

International experts estimate 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes in the six years of revolt in Darfur. Washington calls the violence genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use and which Khartoum rejects. Sudan says only 10,000 people have died.

(ST)