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Indian troops for Ethiopia |
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India is sending troops to Ethiopia and Eritrea, its first deployment for a United Nations peacekeeping mission after the controversial pullout of the Indian contingent from Sierra Leone. Nearly 1,000 Indian soldiers will be deployed in the buffer-zone between the two African countries by March. The Indians will make up a major chunk of 4,200 soldiers who are expected to form part of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).
Last September, India had stunned the UN community by abruptly announcing that it was pulling out its 3,000-strong contingent from the peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone. The move followed a spat between the mission force commander Major General Vijay Jetley and Nigerian commanders. Maj. Jetley was said to have accused the Nigerians, who had a similarly large contingent in Sierra Leone, of being involved in diamond smuggling. Nigerian officers angrily denied the allegation and, according to reports, suggested that Jetley should step down. India reacted by ordering everyone back.
By agreeing to be a part of the Ethiopia-Eritrea mission, New Delhi has made clear that it is not in a sulk over Sierra Leone. Though the abruptness of the pull-back announcement made clear what the cause was. India never said it officially. A spokesman had then said India was withdrawing as part of a “routine rotation” to give other countries “a chance” to take part in UN missions.
The UN started sending in troops to Ethiopia-Eritrea last July to enforce a ceasefire agreement between the countries. The UN mission will be deployed in a 25-km buffer zone on the border. Its mandate includes supervising the pull-back of Ethiopian troops from their positions inside Eritrea, and an exchange of maps of mine fields laid by two armies. Initially at least, the Indians will be part of a reserve force.
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