 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 25 February - 3 March 1999 Issue No. 418 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
 |
 |
|
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 25 February - 3 March 1999 Issue No. 418
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
|
|
|
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Making peace in Africa
By Amira IbrahimAn Egyptian infantry company is due to leave today for Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, to join a UN peace-keeping force deployed there. The 200-man team will offer administrative, medical and technical services.
The men, some of them computer science specialists, have good knowledge of French to enable them to communicate with African forces and citizens, according to a military source.
In June 1998, an Egyptian infantry unit joined international peace-keepers in the Central African Republic at the request of the United Nations. Their task is to secure Bangui airport and also a peace-keeping forces camp.
The second company that will leave today is to replace a French unit that withdrew from the peace-keeping forces at the UN's request.
The UN secretary-general is convinced that the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA), as the peace-keepers are called, should stay until forthcoming presidential elections. But he may choose to prolong its mandate until 31 August.
The UN request for a second Egyptian squad is warranted by the "excellent reputation Egyptian troops gained through previous participation in peace-keeping missions in Somalia and Bosnia," commented the source.
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi met with the departing force to highlight the importance of the participation of the armed forces in international peace-keeping efforts.
"It is a special honour to represent Egyptian troops among soldiers from countries from all over the world," said a member of the unit. "The good reputation the Egyptian armed forces have gained in previous situations makes me feel proud to be with the troops serving peace. I am confident that the Egyptian troops' performance in defending and keeping peace will be no less than their outstanding performance at war."
(photo: Nour Sobieh)
According to military sources, the company will operate and maintain military vehicles and equipment and join the first unit in operating the main airport in Bangui. The dispatched troops are backed by 125 trucks, 194 wireless sets, automatic guns, ambulances, fuel tankers and a field hospital unit.
"UN officials who inspected the equipment were very satisfied with the quality and quantity, particularly with the medical unit that is qualified to perform surgeries," the source said.
In 1996, the Central African Republic was shaken by a politico-military crisis, punctuated by three successive mutinies by elements from the armed forces. The crisis stemmed from widespread public discontent with social and economic problems resulting from the delay of salaries' payment.
A truce was eventually arranged following intensive negotiations by the presidents of Gabon, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali. In February 1997, an inter-African force (MISAB), including 800 men from six African countries, was deployed in Bangui, with the logistical and financial support of France. Its mandate was to restore peace and security by monitoring the implementation of the truce agreement and disarming the former rebels.
After the mandate of MISAB expired and France prepared to withdraw its logistical support, the only viable option for maintaining stability appeared to be the establishment of another peace-keeping force.
On 15 April 1998, MINURCA was formally established, with an authorised strength of up to 1,350 military personnel.
Since its take-over, the overall political situation in Bangui has been generally calm. MINURCA has made concerted efforts to organise mechanised and foot patrols in the city, particularly in troublesome areas. UN troops have also served a humanitarian purpose by providing medical assistance to Bangui's civilian population.
