Extension of the Dispatch of Defense Force Personnel to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)

June 22, 2009
Japanese

On June 22 (Mon), the Cabinet made a decision to extend the dispatch of the two personnel of the Self-Defense Forces to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) for another year.
Under the International Peace Cooperation Law, Japan has dispatched two Self-Defense Forces personnel to UNMIS as staff officers since October 2008. In response to the UN Security Council’s decision in April 2009 to extend the mandate of UNMIS for another year, the Government of Japan decided to extend the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces.
As a responsible member of the international community, Japan will contribute to the Sudan peace process and to further strengthening of bilateral relations by this deployment of Self-Defense Force personnel to UNMIS. In addition, the Mission is expected to make an important contribution to the peace and stability of Africa as a whole and is thus considered significant.

(Reference 1) Overview of the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)

On January 9, 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed, ending the civil conflict between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army. In response, in March 2005 the UNMIS was established with the purpose of supporting the implementation of the CPA, among other duties (consisting of up to 10,000 military personnel, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1590). In order to deal with the significant challenges pertaining to implementation of the CPA (defining a North/South border, conducting elections, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), conducting referenda, etc.) the continued involvement of the international community is required in addition to the progress of directly involved parties.

Date of establishment: March 24, 2005 (United Nations Security Council Resolution 1590)
Expiry date of mandate: April 30, 2010 (United Nations Security Council Resolution 1870)
Mandate
(a) Supporting the implementation of the CPA
(b) Encouragement and coordination for the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons
(c) Humanitarian demining assistance as well as technical advice and coordination
(d) Coordination of international efforts towards human rights, and the protection of returning refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable groups, as well as other such duties.
Contributors of troops (as of the end of April 2009)
66 countries (including the G8 (except France and Italy*), China, and Republic of Korea)
Approximately 13,400 troops (*France and Italy have contributed troops in the past)

(Reference 2) The posts of the Japanese staff officers with UNMIS.

Staff officer in the Logistics Planning Office, Force Headquarters.
Staff officer/Data Base Manager in the Joint Mission Analysis Cell under the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General.

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