RI to deploy 140-member Formed Police Unit to conflict-torn Darfur soon

Wed, 05/14/2008 10:32 AM  |  World

Indonesia is sending an advance team from its Formed Police Unit (FPU) to the troubled region of Darfur in Sudan this week as part of its plan to deploy its first police peacekeeping unit. The FPU will be part of the African Union and UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). The Jakarta Post's Veeramalla Anjaiah spoke to the Foreign Ministry's director for international security and disarmament affairs Desra Percaya recently about the UN mission. The following are excerpts from the interview.

Question: What is Indonesia's stand on the Darfur issue? Answer: Indonesia is closely following the situation in Darfur, and expresses its deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Darfur caused by the ongoing conflict. Indonesia calls on all parties to help ensure the full, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need in the affected region.

Indonesia recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan over the territory of Darfur. In this regard, Indonesia fully supports efforts to find lasting peace in the region, including the implementation of the 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement. Indonesia also rejects sanctions as it would only bring unintended and unnecessary consequences.

Indonesia welcomes and fully supports the adoption of the UN Resolution 1769 (2007), which established the African Union and United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

However, Indonesia believes that peacekeeping alone is not enough, and it must be accompanied by inclusive dialogue and a political process. Indonesia emphasizes the need for all parties to continue the dialogue process to find common ground.

Could you tell us about Indonesia's plan to join the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur?

Indonesia's participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur is part of its longstanding and irrevocable commitment to Africa that can be traced back to the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung in 1955. Indeed, Indonesia has been actively involved in UN peacekeeping operations in the continent; in the Congo in 1960, and currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Somalia.

If I may recall, through Resolution 1769 the UN Security Council established a UN peacekeeping mission in the Darfur region, known as the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). This resolution stated clearly that UNAMID would consist of up to 19,555 military personnel, up to 3,772 police personnel, and 19 formed police units (FPUs) comprising up to 140 personnel each.

For its part, Indonesia has pledged to send an FPU to join UNAMID. This commitment was reiterated at the highest political level by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his statement before the UN Security Council on Sept. 25, 2007.

Having completed the domestic administrative requirement as well as the UN pre-deployment inspection, the Indonesian FPU is now being deployed. On a number of occasions, the Sudanese government has expressed its appreciation of Indonesia's participation.

Why is Indonesia sending its police force?

Let me explain first how the selection process in the United Nations was undertaken. After studying the needs of UNAMID, a number of pledges were received from all troops and police of the contributing countries, including Indonesia. It would only be followed up after the consent of the host country (Sudan) has been received.

Indeed, the composition of troops and police from contributing countries is very African in character. African countries will be given priority in the selection process. Initially, Indonesia pledged to contribute not only a formed police unit but also mechanized troops for UNAMID. Taking into account pledges from other countries, the United Nations finally decided to only accept Indonesia's pledge for a formed police unit. While appreciating Indonesia's readiness to participate in Darfur, the United Nations keeps the door open for Indonesia to be involved in future deployment.

How big is the Indonesian contingent and when it will depart for Darfur?

The Indonesian FPU contingent will consist of 140 police personnel. It was confirmed during the pre-deployment visit to Jakarta by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN-DPKO) last February.

Its logistics and equipment was dispatched to Sudan on April 28. The advance team was scheduled to travel to Sudan on Tuesday (May 13), and the main body of the Indonesian FPU will leave for Darfur on May 25. If things are on the right track, we believe that the entire FPU will be completely deployed in the region by the end of May 2008.

What will be its main mission?

As part of UNAMID, the mandate of the Indonesian FPU is clearly defined in resolution 1769. This includes, but is not limited to, the protection of civilians; the facilitation of full humanitarian access and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes; and to contribute to the restoration of security in Darfur, inter alia, through the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (signed on May 5, 2006 in Abuja).

In order to achieve these broad goals laid out in resolution 1769, the operation is mandated to carry out a number of tasks falling under four categories: (a) support for the peace process and good offices; (b) security; (c) the rule of law, governance, and human rights; and (d) humanitarian assistance. In this context, the Indonesian FPU will be deployed in Nyala (in south Darfur).

As a responsible UN member, Indonesia has been active in international peacekeeping operations for many years. Could you throw some light on the current presence of Indonesian forces in UN peacekeeping missions?

Indonesia has participated in 24 UN peacekeeping missions across the world. Indonesia was first involved in the UN Emergency Forces mission in Sinai in 1956.

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