| The Namibia Defense Force (NDF) confirmed the shipment of military equipment through the port of Walvis Bay to the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad in Central Africa this week. Armoured personnel carriers, general supply vehicles, light off road vehicles and unspecified containerised cargo were loaded on the general cargo vessel “Fighter” alongside at the bulk terminal.
The ship sailed this week and it is believed to be heading for the port of Douala in Cameroon, where after the vehicles and equipment will presumably be taken by road convoy to Koukou Angarana in Chad where the Namibian peacekeepers will be based. The Namibian peacekeepers to be deployed on this mission are still in Namibia, although a NDF Advance Company comprising 300 uniformed personnel followed the equipment by air. When the Namibian peacekeeping force will reach Contingent strength in CAR and Chad remains unknown.
The NDF explained the reason for the deployment as follows in its media statement: “Since 2003 over 240 000 Sudanese refugees fled to Eastern Chad from the conflict that started in the Darfur Region and more than 40 000 other refugees originated from the Central African Republic.
Armed groups based in Eastern Chad and Darfur was carrying out cross border attacks and as a result of this the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad was established on 25 September 2007 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778. That is in order to contribute to the protection of civilians, promote human rights, the rule of law and regional peace. The Resolution has also provided for a multidimensional presence of police and military personnel to Eastern Chad and North-Eastern Central Africa.
The Republic of Namibia decided to contribute peacekeeping troops to Chad. The NDF has extensive experience in United Nation Missions. The Force started with Peacekeeping Missions in 1992/3 in Cambodia, later deployed to Angola from 1996 to 1999 as well as Liberia from 2004 to 2007.
Currently the NDF has Staff Officers and Military Observers deployed in various UN missions in countries such as Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sudan”. |
