India deploys a platoon of women peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Sudan: India deployed a platoon of women peacekeepers in the Abyei region of Sudan on 6 January as part of the Indian battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA).
An overview of the news
Since sending its first all-female force to Liberia in 2007, this is India’s largest single contingent of women peacekeepers in a UN mission. In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an entirely women contingent for a UN peacekeeping mission.
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Police units formed in Liberia provided 24-hour guard duty, night patrols in the capital Monrovia, and helped increase the capacity of the Liberian Police. The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 other ranks, will form part of an engagement platoon and specialise in community outreach; they will also undertake extensive security work.
United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA)
- By adopting resolution 1990 on June 27, 2011, the United Nations Security Council swiftly responded to the deteriorating situation in the Sudanese Abyei region by forming UNISFA.
- The UN Security Council was deeply concerned by the violence, rising tensions and population displacement.
- UNISFA was established after the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) reached an agreement in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
About UN Peacekeeping
- UN peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorised the deployment of UN military observers in the Middle East.
- It helps to bring countries from conflict to a difficult path of peace.
- It deploys soldiers and police from all over the world for peacekeeping.
- India is one of the largest military and police contributors to UN peacekeeping operations.
- There are currently more than 5,700 Indian peacekeepers deployed in nine of the 12 UN peacekeeping missions.
