China boosts peacekeepers in Darfur
Loading ...A new company of Chinese engineers deployed to Sudan’s war-torn western region of Darfur on Thursday, boosting the number of UN-led peacekeeping troops to 8,000, a mission spokeswoman said.
“They’ve arrived; 172 arrived so that brings the number of the Chinese contingent to 315,” said Josephine Guerrero, spokeswoman for the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission UNAMID.
The Chinese flew into Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. Their deployment brings the total number of peacekeeping soldiers in the war-torn region of western Sudan from 7,828 to 8,000.
An advance party of Chinese engineers have been in Nyala since November, tasked with building roads and bridges, and digging wells in order to prepare for further troop arrivals.
Thursday’s deployment comes one day after the killing of the ninth peacekeeper since the UN took over the peacekeeping efforts six months ago.
UNAMID is on high alert amid fears of a backlash after the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor on Monday sought an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir for alleged war crimes in Darfur.
China, which has close ties with Sudan as one of the main buyers of the African nation’s oil and a key investor in its economy, expressed concern over the ICC move and warned the move might upset peace hopes in Darfur.
Human rights groups have tried to use the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, which begin in August, to push China to do more to end the crisis in Darfur.
Since UNAMID took over from an African Union force on December 31, barely a third of the projected 19,500 soldiers and 6,500 police have deployed.
The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated regime and state-backed militias, fighting for resources and power in one of the most remote and deprived places on earth.
The United Nations has said that 300,000 people have died in Darfur and more than 2.2 million been displaced. The Sudanese government puts the death toll at 10,000.
Last 10 posts in Africa
- Mbeki seeks to save Zimbabwe deal
- Egypt desert hostages freed after 10-day ordeal
- Sudan`s president visits Ghana
- Diamond found in Lesotho among largest ever: company
- Zimbabwe replaces $10 trillion banknote
- Mbeki steps down
- S Africa's ANC says Mbeki must go
- UN Boss: Liberia still needs help to protect unsteady peace
- Mugabe rival 'needs to reflect'
- Mugabe says talks `inconclusive`
Popularity: 1% [?]
Post a Comment