March 27, 2014(Dar es Salaam) — THE Government is in its final preparations to send troops to war ravaged Africa’s newest nation, South Sudan as Peacekeepers following a request from the United Nations.
Addressing journalist in Dar es Salaam the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Bernard Membe said the size of the troops will be similar to the one sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which was about 1, 283 troops.
Mr Membe said the good work done by Tanzania troops in DRC prompted the UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon to hold talks with President Jakaya Kikwete requesting the government troops to join the UN Peacekeeping force to South Sudan to restore peace in the war torn nation.
“Last year Tanzania did very well in restoring peace in the war ravaged country, for instance in DRC, which elicited so much praise from the UN Security Council.
We are now in the last preparation of sending troops to join UN peacekeeping force to restore peace in South Sudan after a special request from the UN Secretary Generation,” he explained.
The Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, heaped praises to Tanzania troops which he said are bringing the country glory from the good work they have been doing whenever they are sent out to restore peace in a war torn country.
He said the latest request from the UN shows the superiority of the country’s military and how highly it is valued in participating in peace keeping efforts, noting that the government has been providing forces to restore peace in Lebanon, Darfur and DRC Congo.
“We must be in the frontline in ensuring that we help our neighbours also to live peacefully. We have been doing this in DR Congo, Darfur and Lebanon and now in South Sudan,” he explained.
Mr Membe noted that Tanzania’s readiness in providing assistance to trouble torn nations is historical, adding that his ministry will continue to be in the frontline in restoring peace and performing arbitration roles in regional conflicts.
