140 Indonesian Police Officers Sent to Sudan

Jakarta - A contingent of 140 personnel of the Indonesian National Police incorporated in the Formed Police Unit (FPU), Indonesia 5 Garuda Bhayangkara 2012, has been sent to Darfur in Sudan for a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The police troops have been deployed in the conflict-hit region as replacements for another contingent. The contingent¿s deployment to Sudan was formalised by the Indonesian Police Deputy Commissioner, General Nanan Sukarna at the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday. Sukarna said that the 140 police personnel are expected to maintain Indonesian and the national police's honour. "The deployed troops are expected to be a model for everyone else and maintain consistency while ensuring security in Sudan" added Sukarna. The mission has been undertaken to help prevent the spread of armed conflict and maintain peace in Sudan after the conduct of a referendum in the country. "A total of 140 personnel consisting of 100 core personnel and 40 support personnel were given special training and preparation to serve for a year in Sudan," said Sukarna. The event was attended by a number of key officials of the national police and Sudanese Ambassador to Indonesia, HE Ibrahim Bushra Mohamed Ali. South Sudan became officially independent on July 9, 2011 and became the world's youngest country after the parliament speaker read the proclamation of independence in a ceremony that was held in Juba. (*)