afrol News, 2 November - The deployment of the United Nations and the African Union peacekeepers in Darfur, Sudan, has been confirmed.

The UN-AU Joint Special Representative for Sudan, Rodolphe Adada, said the joint mission will begin operations early next year.

Dubbed UNAMID, the mission's headquarters was inaugurated in the outskirts of Darfur's Al-Fasher city.

The mission, whose mandate includes monitoring future cease-fires and protecting civilians, is expected to comprise of at least 26,000 peacekeepers.

Khartoum authorities have consistently opposed the deployment of non-African troops, fearing a re-colonisation of the western powers. But already some non-African countries are willing to offer infantry troops for the mission.

The major Sudanese rebel groups, including Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Army Movement, decided to snub the peace talks in the Libyan town of Sirte, blaming Khartoum of not respecting the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Accord.

The Darfur conflict started four years back and has claimed over 200,000 lives as well as displaced over two million people.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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