Peacekeepers to serve in Sudan

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The fifth group of medical doctors and nurses at the 2nd contingent of peacekeepers paid tribute to the Banner of Military. They will serve in the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping operation in Darfur, Sudan. Present at the ceremony were authorities of the Defense Ministry, the General Headquarters of Mongolian Armed Forces; family members of the peacekeepers and others. Representing the peacekeepers’ family members, a girl delivered a farewell speech, wishing them success for the peacekeeping operation in Sudan. In accordance with the #1769 resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in July 2007, the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping operation in Darfur (UNAMID) was established to address the humanitarian crisis in the western region of Sudan. This joint peacekeeping mission replaced a previous mission led solely by the African Union. UNAMID's mandate has been extended through July 2013. The Mission's mandate includes supporting the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA); securing access for humanitarian assistance throughout Darfur; creating an inclusive political process; protecting civilians; promoting human rights and rule of law; monitoring and reporting on the situation along the borders with Chad and the Central African Republic; and implementing the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration program (DDR). With nearly 21,000 uniformed personnel in the field, as well as a large contingent of civilian personnel, UNAMID is currently the largest UN peacekeeping mission in the world. The service of Mongolian medical peacekeepers will last there for nine months. A Lieutenant-Colonel J.Gankhuyag has been appointed to command the group of Mongolian peacekeepers.