A contingent of Indian Air Force on Wednesday departed for Sudan to provide mobility and logistical support to UN Peace Keeping Mission in the African country.

The agreement, which encourages wealth and power sharing in the oil-rich nation, ended a civil war between northern and southern Sudan that lasted for 21 years. The contingent, led by Group Captain T A Dayasagar comprises 196 personnel and includes six Mi-17 utility helicopters.

The departing contingent is to replace the Indian Aviation Contingent headquartered at Kadugali, situated in the South-Central region of Sudan.

“Their role will be peacekeeping under UN charter 6, to carry troops and supplies from one place to another. We also have a medical detachment to help the casualties,” said Air Marshal T S Randhawa Director General (Inspection and Safety), IAF, who flagged off the contingent.

The United Nations Security Council had established United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) in March 2005 to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed by the Sudanese government and the former rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation movement/Army in January in Nairobi.

UNMIS’ mandate also includes monitoring and verifying the ceasefire agreement, helping to set up the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme for ex-combatants, as well as promoting national reconciliation and human rights. Source: (ANI)