India deploys largest all-women platoon of peacekeepers to the UN Mission in Abyei

The United Nations mission in Abyei, an area between South Sudan and Sudan with “special administrative status” on Monday welcomed the deployment of the single largest all-women platoon of peacekeepers from India.

The United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA) took to Twitter and lauded the Indian battalion’s valuable role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. "All-women platoon from (India) recently deployed to UNISFA, has arrived in Abyei and is deployed in Rumajak and Dokura in sector centre. Indian battalion plays a valuable role in maintaining peace and stability in Abyei," UNISFA tweeted.

The single largest deployment of an all-women platoon

Notably, the deployment of the platoon holds additional significance as it is the single-largest deployment of an all-women platoon by the country in recent times. The platoon under UNISFA’s helm will join other forces serving in the Abyei region. Furthermore, the move reaffirms India’s perseverance toward the implementation of the UN mandate in the region.

"UNISFA is excited to welcome the deployment of the single largest all-women platoon of peacekeepers in recent years from India. They join @IndBatt serving in Abyei. The deployment reaffirms India's continued commitment to the implementation of the UNISFA mandate," UNISFA stated in a separate tweet.  

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said he was pleased to see the arrival of the largest contingent of women peacekeepers from India in Abyei where they will be serving for peace under UNISFA. “More #WomenInPeacekeeping means more efficient operations and they help better reflect the people we serve," Lacroix tweeted.

The UNISFA, under the UN-prescribed mandate, strengthens the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS) by providing support in the form of personnel training in addition to coordination with the APS on matters of law and order. Furthermore, in accordance with the June 20, 2011 Agreement, UNISFA monitors and verifies the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei Area. Additionally, it also shows participation in relevant Abyei Area bodies as stipulated in the Agreement. United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) resolution 1990 of 27 June 2011 laid the foundation of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Responding to an urgent situation in the region where civilians were under imminent threat of violence, the UNSC through resolution 1990 established the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).