Cabinet has approved Fiji's participation in the United Nations Peace Mission to Sudan.
Four police officers and two military officers have already been deployed upon invitation by the United Nations (UN). A further six police and 13 military officers are expected to be deployed later.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Josefa Vosanibola.
Mr Vosanibola explained that the UN Security Council decided to establish the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) after determining that the situation in Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security.
"The mandate for UNMIS is to support implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army on 9 January 2005."
"It is also to perform certain functions relating to humanitarian assistance, and protection and promotion of human rights."
Mr Vosanibola said that of 10,000 UN military personnel to be resolved, there will be 750 military observers, 715 civilian police, 1,018 international civilian staff, 2,623 national staff and 214 United Nations Volunteer.
Military Contributors are from Bangladesh, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Zambia.
Police contributors are from Finland, India, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, Turkey, and United Kingdom.
Mr Vosanibola said that Fiji has been invited to provide military observers and police officers.
He added that both the RFMF and Police will meet the costs of their participation from within their current allocations.
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