22:47, 30 November 2018

Azerbaijan decides to send peacekeepers to South Sudan

South Sudan. Photo: REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic

The Parliament of Azerbaijan has approved a draft law to send officers to South Sudan to replenish the composition of the UN mission. Peacekeepers are to arrive in Africa in January.

According to the press service for the National Assembly, Azerbaijan commands three officers and one observer to the international mission.

The creation of the state of South Sudan was proclaimed on July 9, 2011. The Security Council established the UN Mission there to help consolidate peace and security in the region.

The Azerbaijan's participation in the UN mission will be symbolic and rather indicates the country's intention to support UN activities in Africa, believes Tofiq Tyurkel, an observer of the agency "Turan".

He has noted that Azerbaijani officers will for the first time take part in operations in Africa. Earlier, Azerbaijan has participated in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Iraq, the expert has noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 9, a group of 70 Azerbaijani soldiers and officers was sent to Afghanistan.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 30, 2018 at 03:24 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent