Chinese peacekeepers to provide protection to S. Sudanese civilians: UN

January 15, 2015 (JUBA) – The 700-strong battalion of Chinese peacekeeper will primarily be engaged in protection of civilians in South Sudan, the United Nations said.

The peacekeepers to be deployed in South Sudan will be based in the capital, Juba and operate out of the United Nations mission in the country headquarters, the world body announced on Thursday.

The first Chinese infantry battalion to take part in a UN peacekeeping mission will be reportedly be equipped with drones, armoured carriers, antitank missiles, mortars and other weapons, “completely for self-defence purpose”.

They are expected to carry out patrols in and around Juba, escorting of humanitarian relief supplies and guarding of UN assets.

The battalion, authorised by the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 24 December 2013, will be the first ever deployment of a Chinese infantry battalion in a UN peacekeeping mission.

Currently, the UN has more than 11,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan and deployment of the Chinese will increase to 12, 500 the numbers of UNMISS peacekeepers in the world’s youngest nation.

“This reflects China’s strong commitment to promoting peace and stability for the people of South Sudan,” UNMISS said in a statement.

According to the UN mission, there are approximately 350 Chinese engineers, medics and other non-combat personnel currently serving at its base in Wau, the Western Bahr el- Ghazal state capital.

The Chinese peacekeepers will reportedly be under the overall command of the mission’s sector south commander, Col. Ning Ma.

China is Africa’s biggest trade partner, but has considerably been reluctant in its approach to the continent’s political and military problems.

(ST)