Army part of UN mission in Sudan

Australians will deploy to Sudan.

By Cpl Simone Liebelt

MARKING 120 years since Australian troops first entered Sudan, soldiers will join a 15-strong ADF contingent deploying into the warravaged region as part of Operation Azure.

The soldiers will join members from the other Services as part of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

Headed by Australia’s first female contingent commander, Sqn-Ldr Ruth Elsley, the team will deploy to the north African country over the next six months, where they will take on the roles of UN staff officers and UN Military Observers (UNMOs).

UNMIS was authorised by the UN Security Council in March to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army.

The agreement ended a 21-year civil war in which more than two million people were killed and four million displaced. The UNMIS peacekeeping force will comprise up to 10,000 military personnel from 38 countries.

The peacekeeping force is there to monitor and observe the ceasefire agreement and will contribute to improved stability and peace in Sudan.

The UN has split southern Sudan into six sectors, which will be controlled by different troop contributing countries.

The UNMOs will be integrated into teams within the sectors, where they will work with combat troops to ensure parties accord with the terms of the peace agreement, providing dispute resolution when required.

The UN staff officers will be located at the El Obeid airport, where more than 10,000 troops will flow into the country, and will assist with logistics, planning and air movements.

Lt-Col Mick Humphreys, LHQ, said personnel were chosen for the operation based on specific skills and experience, and would not necessarily be working with other Australians.

“There are 10,000 troops involved in this mission, and we are only providing 15, so our people will be plugged into UN teams to work with the other countries that are there,” he said.

“They will be there because of the high regard with which all ADF personnel are held, with their high level of training and professionalism.”

He said the deployment would be difficult as personnel would be working in areas devastated by long-term war and famine.

“It’s fair to say that Sudan has poor infrastructure, poor communication systems, the people are desperately poor and have suffered a lot of trauma because of conflict, so their [the ADF personnel’s] working conditions will be dire,” he said.

“One of the biggest challenges will be coming to terms with a country that’s emerging from many years of war and civil strife.”

The Australian Government has approved a 12-month commitment of Australian personnel to Op Azure.

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