OTTAWA - April 11, 2005 --Up to 31 Canadian Forces (CF) personnel will go to Sudan over the coming months as part of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). This deployment is a result of the passage on March 24, 2005 of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1590, which authorizes the deployment of troops and civilian police to southern Sudan for an initial period of six months to help implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Canadian Brigadier-General Greg Mitchell will be the UNMIS Deputy Force Commander while other CF personnel will serve at mission headquarters in Khartoum, and as United Nations Military Observers monitoring activities to verify compliance with the U.N. Security Council Resolution. This CF deployment is known as Operation SAFARI. "Canada is recognized in the international community for the expertise and experience we bring to peace support operations," said Defence Minister Bill Graham. "Canadian Forces personnel deploying to Sudan will undoubtedly make an invaluable contribution to this important UN mission." "Canada is committed to the UN objective of bringing a lasting peace to southern Sudan, which will help to establish long-term peace throughout the country," said Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "In the same way that Canada played an important role in supporting the peace process to end the southern civil war, we plan to assist in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement." The Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed on January 9, 2005 by representatives of the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), ended more than 20 years of civil strife that engulfed the southern region of Sudan. UNMIS has a mandate to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, facilitate the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons, provide de-mining assistance, and contribute to international efforts to protect and promote human rights in Sudan. Under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, UNMIS is authorized in the areas where its forces are deployed to take whatever actions it considers necessary, within its capabilities, to protect U.N. personnel and ensure their security and freedom of movement, and-without infringing on responsibilities of the Sudanese government-to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. -30-
