ZAMBIA: Lusaka to send peacekeepers to Sudan

[applegrove]

ZAMBIA: Lusaka to send peacekeepers to Sudan


This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=47431&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=zambia

JOHANNESBURG, 1 Jun 2005 (IRIN) - Zambia is to send peacekeepers to Sudan by the end of June, according to official sources in the capital, Lusaka.

"We will send a company, which is about 180 to 200 soldiers," a defense official told IRIN.

The Zambian troops will be part of the UN Mission in Sudan, established after the UN Security Council passed a resolution on 24 March to send a 10,000-strong peacekeeping force to southern Sudan to monitor the January peace accord.

Zambian Defense Minister Wamundila Muliokela was this week quoted in the daily newspaper, Times of Zambia, as saying that as a UN member the country was obliged to ensure international peace and stability. "No negative allegations have been made against our soldiers, who have been going for peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world," he commented.

Apart from 20 observers as part of the AU mission in Sudan's western Darfur province at present, Zambia has participated in peacekeeping missions in various countries, including Mozambique, Rwanda, Angola and Sierra Leone.

The war between the southern-based Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army and the Sudanese government erupted in 1983, when rebels took up arms against the authorities based in the north to demand greater autonomy. The fighting killed at least 2 million people, uprooted 4 million more, and forced some 550,000 to flee to neighbouring countries.

[Just Me]

1. 180 to 200? Geez.

:shrug:

[applegrove]

2. There are at least 50 countries in Africa. I know we want big troops

in there. And AU is already making a difference & documenting from witnesses.

Let's hope than we get 200 from many more countries.