UN justifies withdrawal of troops from Darfur

The new head of UN peacekeeping operations has defended the world body’s decision to withdraw troops from Sudan.

With reduced fighting in most of Darfur, these areas will have fewer men in uniform. But places where affairs remain tense and unpredictable, the soldiers will remain in place.

For Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who was appointed in February this year to the new post, this is part of the reforms in peace and security programs.

"The fact that there is much less fighting in most of Darfur is why the Security Council has decided that in most areas of Darfur, except the Jebel Marra area where the situation remains complicated and more tense, those other areas of Darfur the uniformed presence particularly military presence be reduced".

“The fact that there is much less fighting in most of Darfur is why the Security Council has decided that in most areas of Darfur, except the Jebel Marra area where the situation remains complicated and more tense, those other areas of Darfur the uniformed presence particularly military presence be reduced”, Lacroix said.

The UN Security Council last month approved a resolution to extend the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) by one year and reduce its manpower by over 50 percent, including the police, and military components. Costs may be cut but as Lacroix clarifies, it is not the main motive behind the implementation.

“This is not new, there has always been pressure on this budget, particularly as these budgets had become very important one compared with previous years”.

UNAMID was approved as a United Nations Security Council Resolution to bring stability to the Darfur region of Sudan in 2007. It’s main mission has been to facilitate the “delivery of humanitarian assistance and ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel”.

It has been employing military, police and civilian personnel, who work to deliver security, democratic and peace-building support.

Source: AfricaNews