UNAMID police in Darfur reach 60% of its strength

August 23, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Police forces working within Darfur hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) have reached 60% of its authorized strength following the arrival of police officers from different countries.

United Nations Security Council resolution 1769, in July 2007, authorized the deployment of an appropriate civilian police component consisting of more than 3,500 police officers, with 19 formed police units comprising up to 140 personnel each.

The UNAMID on Sunday received a boost in its police deployment with the arrival of 124 police officers from Tanzania, the Phillipines and Cameroon. In addition, over 20 Nigerian police officers have arrived in Khartoum almost a week ago and are waiting for their deployment to Darfur.

With these new arrivals, the UNAMID police strength is over 2, 000 personnel (60%) of its authorized force.

The details of today’s police arrival are: 51 Tanzanian police officers, 29 Filipino police officers and 44 Cameroonian police officers. All of them arrived today to the capital of South Darfur, Nyala, to begin work with UNAMID. They will begin induction training before they are deployed across the region.

(ST)