afrol News, 18 September - New United Nations (UN) peacekeeping chief has announced today that only half of UN-African Union peace force operating in war torn Sudan-Darfur region will be deployed by end of 2009.

Alain Le Roy, a French diplomat verified a report by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon late last month that it will take many more months to get joint UN-AU peacekeeping force on ground.

Joint mission took over peacekeeping operations in Darfur from a besieged 7,000-strong AU force last January.

According to UN reports, as of 31 July, it had just over 8,100 military personnel and fewer than 1,900 police officers on ground, out of 26,000 authorised.

"I think 80 percent sadly has been, as far as I know so far, a bit optimistic," Mr Le Roy told media today.

He said he expected an additional 3,000 soldiers and police to join force by end of November, primarily from Ethiopia and Egypt.

"But my guess is that Thai and Nepalese battalions who are due to come will not come by end of year. They will come a bit later," Mr Le Roy noted.

He said delay was due to lack of clarity of answer from Sudanese authorities last month, about deployment of contingents from Thailand and Nepal.

"They were prepared, but there was some hesitation, so they now have to prepare again and to order all equipment," he said.

His deputy, Edmond Mulet, added that Thailand's army now needs new authorisation from parliament to deploy its contingent. Thai leaders have reportedly been snarled for weeks in political unrest from anti-government demonstrations.

Le Roy added that peacekeeping force still lacks "firm commitments" for attack helicopters, surveillance aircraft and transport helicopters, which are essential to make Darfur mission fully operational.

In his report in late August, Mr Ki-moon cited other problems in deploying force, including growing insecurity, logistical difficulties and increasing banditry in Sudan's vast western province.

He added that engineering and construction work in camps for peacekeepers "have not advanced as anticipated."

Commander of joint peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, General Martin Agwai, said in June that he expected to have a total of 13,000 in three or four months.

Gen. Agwai, who is a Nigerian, expressed optimism that 80 percent of authorised force could be deployed by 31 December and so did Mr Ki-moon.

In July, seven UNAMID peacekeepers were killed and 22 injured when they were attacked by heavily armed militia in northern Darfur, prompting UN to move its non-essential staff to locations outside country.

Darfur conflict began in early 2003 when ethnic African rebels took up arms against Sudan's Arab-dominated central government, accusing it of discrimination. Many of worst atrocities in war have been blamed on Janjaweed militia of Arab nomads allied with government.

UN reports show that some 300,000 people have died as a result of unrest, while more than two million people have fled their homes.

Sudanese government has reportedly denied mobilising Arab Janjaweed militias to attack black African civilians in region.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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