Ethiopia hails its participation in peacekeeping missions

August 26, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — The increasing participation of the Ethiopian army in the multi-national peacekeeping missions has positively impacted the international image of the country, said the army chief.

The Ethiopian army has won appreciation for its valiant performance and consideration of culture and values of people in areas it has been deployed said Chief-of-Staff, General Samora Yunus in a press briefing he held in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

Ethiopia has provided more than 1800 soldiers in Darfur peacekeeping mission including infantry battalion, medium transport company, a multi-role logistics company contribution and a number of staff officers. They are mainly based in West Darfur.

In 2003 Ethiopia also took part in an African peacekeeping mission in Burundi to help disarm, demobilize, and integrate Burundi’s ex-rebels into new defense and security forces.

Gen. Yunus further said diplomatic and economic significance of the Ethiopian army in international peacekeeping missions, duty-bound performance feature are the major qualities of the army to be in the forefront in peacekeeping missions in Africa.

As the number of U.N. peacekeeping missions has surged in recent years, the international community has looked to regional powers to fill the gap. NATO has played a key role in the Balkans. Australian troops have taken the lead in East Timor. But African missions have been problematic.

However, with the support of UN Security Council particularly the USA, some African countries like Rwanda, and Nigeria are developing their armies to be able to respond to the increasing demand of participation in peacekeeping missions particularly in Africa.

(ST)